NEWS

Fikrat Amirov's "One Thousand and One Nights" has opened Rudolf Nureyev International Festival of Classical Ballet.

The Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater staged the ballet's new version directed by the Honored Art Worker of Russia Eldar Aliyev.

"Arabian Nights" was presented to the audience under the direction of the chief conductor and musical director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Ayyub Guliyev.

Anna Samostrelova, Lilia Berezhnova, Sergey Umanets, Denis Golov, Irina Sapozhnikova, Katerina Floria, Kanat Nadyrbek, Guilherme Junio thrilled everyone with fascinating performance.

"One Thousand and One Nights" is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. Known in English as the "Arabian Nights", the work is about Scheherazade, a Sassanid Queen, who tells a series of stories to her husband, King Shahryar in order to delay her execution.

The exciting story of Scheherazade laid the foundation of the ballet of the same name. 

The ballet's new version was premiered as part of the 5th Mariinsky International Far East Festival.

More than 300 costumes with hand embroidery were made for the ballet show. Some of them were made at the workshop, while most part by experienced craftsmen in St. Petersburg.

Azerbaijan's traditional music instruments - tar and naghara were presented to the theater on behalf of the national musicians. 

The long-necked music instrument featured in the score of Fikrat Amirov. The eminent composer started his musical journey as a tar performer.

The idea to add tar performance came from Eldar Aliyev. Ramin Azimov, the soloist of the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater, performed on tar during the premiere.

Samira Efendi is getting ready to represent Azerbaijan at  Eurovision 2021. The rehearsals have been already held in Rotterdam at the Ahoy Arena. 

The presentation revolves around a giant orb in the background throughout the performance. 

At the end of the stage show, the orb is lifted into the air where it explodes in a rain of golden sparkles, leaving the image of Nazar, a symbol of fortune in Azerbaijan. 

Azerbaijani designer Rufat Ismayil is behind the outfit that Efendi will be wearing at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Speaking about Efendi's costume, the designer stressed that it will fully reflect the spirit of a strong, confident woman.

Efendi's costume will be adorned with precious and semi-precious stones; it will combine Azerbaijan's traditional elements but with a modern twist.

Meanwhile, Samira Efendi will represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Mata Hari".

Speaking about the meaning of the song, Efendi noted that it is about female power.

Lithuania, Slovenia, Russia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Norway, Croatia, Belgium, Israel, Romania, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Malta will perform in the first semi-final on May 18. Samira Efendi will perform 14th in the first semi-final. 

The second-semifinal will bring together San Marino, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, Poland, Moldova, Iceland, Serbia, Georgia, Albania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Finland, Latvia, Switzerland and Denmark on May 20.  The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 final night will take place on May 22.

Famous Azerbaijani conductor Fuad Ibrahimov is back in Shusha. During his visit, the conductor has shown the photos of him leaving Shusha in 1992 when he was 9 years old.

On May 8, 1992, Shusha was captured by the Armenian invaders. The city was liberated from the occupants during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. 

The 38-year-old conductor, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Fuad Ibrahimov arrived in Azerbaijan's cultural capital to take part in the Khari Bulbul Music Festival that was resumed after a long break. He recreated photos taken 30 years ago near his house, on Jidir Plain. 

Fuad Ibrahimov, born in 1982 in Shusha began his music studies at the age of 12, when he attended the specialized music school associated with the Baku Music Academy. There he joined the studio of Prof. Tofig Aslanov (1994-1998), and later was a member of the youth string orchestra, "Tutti", conducted by Teymur Geokchayev.

In 1998 he also joined the viola studio of Prof. B. Mehdiyev at the Baku Music Academy, and simultaneously enrolled in the Cologne Academy of Music (Germany) in the studio of Prof. Rainer Moog.

During this time, Ibrahimov was awarded a scholarship from the "Friends of Azerbaijan Culture" Foundation, as well as the the Dr. Carl Dorcken-Werner Richard Scholarship, and performed concerts in numerous German cities under the auspices of the Yehudi Menuhin Charitable Foundation and being awarded the Berlioz prize in France.

He has also performed with the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig, the Staatskapelle Halle, the Gottingen and the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, the "Das kritische Orchester Berlin", which is composed from musicians from orchestras like the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Staatskapelle Berlin, Staatskapelle Dresden and other great orchestras.

He also conducted the State Symphony Orchestra of Azerbaijan, the South Westphalian Philharmonic, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and many other orchestras.

In 2006, Ibrahmov began his conducting studies with Prof. Michael Luig at the Cologne Academy of Music, and since 2008 he has acted as music director of the student symphony orchestra "Sinfonietta", based in Cologne. 

Since 2013 Fuad Ibrahimov is a holder of President's Scholarship of Azerbaijan. 

With its spectacular concerts, Zhara Music Festival 2022 will be held in Baku next summer.

The large-scale event will take place on the shore of the Caspian Sea on July 27-31, 2022. 

The audience will enjoy five days of a varied concert program with participation of more than 200 artists from Russia and the CIS countries. 

This summer, Zhara İnternational Music Festival will celebrate its fifth anniversary in Moscow.

The gala event is expected to take place in the Luzhniki Olympic Complex on June 23-27.

The music festival will feature numerous concerts with more than 200 pop singers from the CIS countries.

The festival's fifth edition was planned to be held in Baku but was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The music festival will open with the greatest hits. On the second day of the festival, viewers will enjoy a creative evening by Dmitry Malikov, as well as hits of the 2000s performed by pop singers.

The festival will also feature creative evenings of Igor Nikolaev (June 25), Yuri Antonov (June 26), a concert of young singers and much more. 

Zhara International Music Festival will be aired on Russian Channel One. Note that tickets that were purchased earlier can be exchanged for new dates in Moscow, saved for the next festival in Baku.

The music festival is co-organized by Emin Aghalarov, Russia's Honored Artist Grigory Leps, founder of Russkoye Radio and Zolotoy Grammofon award Sergei Kozhevnikov.

Many famous singers and bands like Chingiz Mustafayev, Monatik, Philipp Kirkorov, A’Studio, Vera Brezhneva, Bosson, Rita Dakota, Dmitry Matatov, Glyuk’oza, Nikolay Baskov, Kristina Orbakaite, Burito, Aleksandr Panayotov, Ani Lorak and others took part in the festival`s previous editions. 

For many years, kelagayi has been a major part of Azerbaijani women's traditional costume 

With 2,000-year history, this elegant headscarf has entered the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.

One of the most beautiful traditional headscarves are produced in Ismayilli's Basgal village. 

Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Bahram Bagirzade has published a book dedicated to the village.

Through his book, young readers will learn more about historical monuments and kelagayi production in Basgal.

Silk weaving and the production of women's scarves have been popular here since ancient times. According to a number of historians, Basgal was founded in the 4th century.

The several meters thick walls of the fortress located in Galabashi are preserved to this day. They are thought to have been built in the 14th century.

The Basgal State Historical and Cultural Reserve was established in 1989. On October 3, 2018, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the Basgal State Historical and Cultural Reserve. According to it, the State Agency of Tourism was instructed to prepare a detailed reference on the results of the study of the situation in the Basgal Reserve.

Bahram Bagirzade is a member of the Azerbaijan Union of Artists, the Union of Cinematographers as well as Association of Photographers and Society of Cartoonists. 

After 29 years, Khari Bulbul Music Festival once again welcomes talented musicians in Shusha, known as Azerbaijan`s cultural capital.

The spectacular event is being held for the first time since the liberation of Shusha from the Armenian occupation.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva attended the festival.

The festival brought together music groups of different nations living in Azerbaijan on Jydyr Plain. The concert featured a program of folk and classical music, which left no one indifferent. 

Khari Bulbul Music Festival  began from the performance of young khanende (mugham singer) Kanan Bayramli. Bayati Shiraz mugham was performed at the concert. 

Khari Bulbul music festival used to be held in Shusha every year before the city’s occupation by Armenian forces in 1992. The festival has been resumed after Shusha’s liberation on November 8, 2020.

The large-scale event gets its name from the flower Khari Bulbul which grows only in Shusha.

This flower has a unique appearance which makes it look like a nightingale or bulbul in Azerbaijani.

The word "Khari" means "thorny". Two petals of the flower resemble wings, while another one looks like a bird's head. Many legends, poems and songs are associated with this beautiful flower.

The festival was held for the first time in 1989, bringing together musicians from Japan, the USA, Turkey, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain and other countries. 

The opening ceremony took place at the stadium in Aghdam. The gala event featured spectacular concerts and performances in Jydyr Duzu, Isa Bulag spring as well as the streets and squares of Shusha city. Scientific and theoretical discussions were held as part of the event.

The festival's guests also visited the sights of Karabakh, beautiful nature surrounded by amazing mountains, participated in various events, accompanied by performances of musical and dance ensembles.

The festival's closing ceremony took place in Agdam, near the spring garden of the poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, called "Bouquet of Khari Bulbul". The concert programs were also held in Agjabadi, Barda and Baku.

The 4th Khari Bulbul Music Festival was supposed to gather musicians from more than 30 countries.

However, the city was captured by Armenia on May 8, 1992. Shusha was liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on November 8, 2020.

Maryam Gafarzada, Head of the Information and Public Relations department of the Ministry for Culture, gave an extensive interview to AZERTAG. - Azerbaijan has stated that all religious heritage and monuments in our liberated territories, regardless of their origin, will be protected and restored to a high level. The restoration of the Gazanchy Church in Shusha is also an issue that requires special attention in this regard. What can you say about this? - We are living in the most vibrant period of the history of independent Azerbaijan. Under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the courageous Azerbaijani Army liberated Karabakh, one of the main pillars of our national culture, history and statehood, and returned it to our people. The cultural spirit of our native Shusha is also reverting, and its historical appearance is being restored. Shusha, the crown of Karabakh, has a special place in our history. The liberation of Shusha, the pearl of the Turkic nations, the Islamic world, the whole Caucasus, and the capital of Azerbaijani culture, is a very important event in our glorious history. Shusha is of historical and cultural significance and has an exceptional moral value for the people of Azerbaijan, which is why it is of immense importance to treat Shusha with special care and sensitivity. Therefore, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order today declaring the city of Shusha the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan. The Presidential Order will ensure that the historical image of Shusha is restored, its former glory is rehabilitated, and the city is back to its traditional and rich cultural life, while promoting Shusha worldwide as a pearl of Azerbaijan’s centuries-old rich heritage of culture, architecture and urban development. As you know, Shusha, which was vandalized by the occupying Armenians during the occupation that lasted for almost thirty years, has been under construction and restoration for several months. The city's mosques, madrassas, imarets, caravanserais, hamams, tombs, churches, canals, museums and other important monuments are being revived. The restoration of very important examples of the cultural history of Azerbaijan is undoubtedly an example of our ownership of our own history, culture and monuments. The huge reconstruction work carried out by the Azerbaijani state in our liberated territories, including the restoration and construction process in Shusha, is carried out in accordance with the original architectural style of Shusha in order to restore the historical image of the city. As part of the work, the Gazanchy Church is being restored. Note that the Gazanchy Church is located on the outskirts of Shusha, in its upper part. It is said that they began to build the church on an ancient Zoroastrian temple in 1868, and the construction was completed in the 1880s. The church is a domed basilica with four apsides. The interior of the church is covered with carved local stones, without any special architectural ornaments. The doors and windows of the church are made in a simple way. The church, which was registered (inventory No. 358) by Resolution No. 132 dated the 2nd of August 2001of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was first included in the list of monuments by Resolution No. 145 dated the 27th of April 1988 of the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan SSR. In 1987, the passport of the monument was developed. Like all other historical and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan, the Gazanchy Church will be restored on the basis of historical documents and archival materials, in accordance with its original artistic and aesthetic appearance; it is a scientific-practical-research activity and includes a comprehensive analysis of the monument, and the study of architectural and historical features. The restoration project will allow the monument to be returned to its original appearance, as it was in the 19th century. In addition, the said project will be discussed and approved by a Scientific Council consisting of experienced architects and restorers. Moreover, the opinion of foreign experts with extensive experience in the relevant field, who are aware of the international preservation and restoration standards approved by UNESCO, is being obtained with regard to the restoration project. It is also planned to conduct in-situ inspections with foreign experts and periodically monitor the progress of the restoration work during the restoration process. This testifies that we remain faithful to and take care of our historical monuments. Azerbaijani monuments damaged by Armenian vandalism and forgery are being revived by reverting them to their historical appearance and mission. Although the process of the restoration of monuments in Karabakh and Shusha made our friends happy, it deeply shook our enemies. Unable to digest the restoration of the historic Gazanchy Church in Shusha, the aggressive terrorist Armenia, slanders us and tries to make absurd allegations. However, all this is in vain, and as long as our monuments are restored and our historical and cultural heritage is returned to the liberated territories as part of the Great Return, the Azerbaijani state policy, aimed at peace, development and progress, will triumph. - Despite the abominable policy of the enemy, historical justice has been restored. After thirty years of barbarism in Karabakh, the life, creativity and culture are reverting back to this ancient land of Azerbaijan. - You are absolutely right. The cultural spirit of our native Karabakh is returning. Every inch of land, the monuments and geniuses of Karabakh are bright pages and an integral part of our ancient, rich culture. Now our culture, like our lands that had been subjected to enemy terror for years, is beginning to revive. The children of Azerbaijan will grow up victorious and proud. This, of course, will contribute to the future development of Azerbaijani culture and art. On the basis of the relevant orders and instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, important and interesting projects have been launched in Shusha, our cradle of culture and music. The flower Khary-Bulbul (Ophrys Caucasica), grown only in Shusha, that we have been longing for these many years and that the people of Shusha have dried and preserved as the most valuable memory, has now come to life; this will be proved once again by the Khary-Bulbul Festival to be held in Shusha. Karabakh carpets, which adorn the world's museums and are historically sought after by the richest merchants and collectors, will return to the land of their loops. Magical patterns and ornaments made by talented carpet weavers of Karabakh will once again decorate every corner of the globe. The exiled Karabakh horses will again make their way to their native Jydyr Plain. The followers of Molla Panah Vagif's work, who created unique pearls of poetry and gave impetus to new directions in our literature, will no longer miss their native land in their poems; instead, they will glorify the beauty of Karabakh, the mountains of Shusha, every stone and rock destroyed by our hated enemy. - The “Great Return” short feature, documentary and animated film projects competition held by the Ministry of Culture is already over. Can you give more details in this regard? - As you know, on the 22nd of January this year, the Ministry of Culture announced the “Great Return” short feature, documentary and animated film projects competition. The main purpose of the competition was to support creative people working in the field of national cinematography, to stimulate the activities of state studios and independent production centres working in this area, to promote national-spiritual and universal values through films, to further enhance the experience of film professionals, as well as to contribute to the Great Victory in the Patriotic War through cinema. The theme of the competition covered the glorious victory of our people in the 2020 Patriotic War, the heroic struggle of Azerbaijani soldiers, our mighty army, for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, the return of our compatriots longing for their native places to their ancestral lands, as well as the activities of our people united like an iron fist in the home front. Note that the competition aroused great interest. The 49 projects that met the initial admission requirements were evaluated by a jury in the second - Artistic Selection stage. At this stage, 26 projects that differed from the artistic and cinematographic point of view were selected by the jury of the competition and won the right to participate in the last stage - Pitching. 12 of them were feature films, 8 documentaries and 6 animated film projects. The Pitching stage was held on the 27th of April at the Azerbaijan State Film Fund and was broadcast live on the Fund`s YouTube channel. The jury evaluated all the projects taking into account the artistic and cinematic qualities. 11 projects (5 feature, 4 documentary, and 2 animated film projects) were selected as winners in the process, which took place through the open voting of the jury. The names of these projects were announced on the official website of the Ministry of Culture on the 30th of April. The winning projects will be produced by the company that submitted them on the basis of the order and financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. - In accordance with the presidential decree “On the organization of temporary special management in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, representatives of the Ministry of Culture have launched a monitoring process to ensure an initial inventory taking and protection of historical and cultural sites in the liberated territories. How is the monitoring process going and what are the results? - So far, 313 state-registered historical and cultural monuments have been monitored as part of the aforementioned process. Moreover, 113 unregistered historical, architectural and archaeological objects located in those areas were discovered (newly discovered monuments). Most of the historical and cultural monuments and objects of historical, architectural and archaeological significance were completely destroyed by the occupiers; it was revealed that these monuments were demolished and vandalized. In addition, 846 cultural institutions, including 451 libraries, 342 centres of culture and clubs, 20 museums, 25 children's music schools, 1 cinema, 2 theatres, 2 galleries, and 3 movie clubs were monitored. Although 14 of these enterprises were found during the initial monitoring, they are not in the ministry's network. Almost all enterprises are in a state of complete destruction. The monitoring was conducted in Shusha, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Khojavend, Gubadly, Aghdam and Kalbajar regions. It turns out that most of the historical and cultural monuments and objects of historical, architectural and archaeological significance were interfered with by the hateful invaders. These objects were defaced in 'senseless' acts of vandalism. Many of these objects were completely destroyed; there are only some remains left. The monitoring continues, and once this process is completed, we will bring the full picture of the damage done to our culture during the Armenian occupation to the attention of both the public and the international community.

The National Carpet Museum has enriched its collection with the 18th century Karabakh carpet, which returned Azerbaijan three decades later.

This carpet, included in many catalogs, is one of the​ works of art​ most highly valued by museums around the world.

It is decorated with vegetative ornaments​ dates back to the last period of the production of Dragon carpets.​ Here dragons and other zoomorphic images are replaced by flowers, and only palmettes indicate that the carpet belongs to this group.​

The Carpet Museum has negotiated for over two years to purchase this carpet from an Italian collector and return it to its homeland.​

As a result, this unique work of art was acquired with the support of an Azerbaijani philanthropist and donated to the museum.

The carpet returned to its homeland in the year of the Patriotic War and became the symbol of Azerbaijan's glorious victory over Armenian occupation.

Kabakh carpets are distinguished from other national carpet schools by their artistic and technological production and their size.

This carpet school is famous for its pileless carpets, including shadda, zili, verni, kilim and palas products. Karabakh carpets are characterized by bright colors and vegetative motives.

There are 33 compositions of Karabakh carpets. These carpets are produced in the towns Malibeyli, Muradkhanli, Dashbulag, Jabrayil, Horadiz in Karabakh in mountainous part of Karabakh.

In the 19th century, Shusha city and Dashbulag, Dovshanli, Girov, Trinivz, Chanakhchi, Tug, Kohna Tughlar, Hadrut, Muradkhanli, Gasimushagi, Gubadli, Gozag, Mirseyid, Bagirbeyli, Khanlig, Dag Tumas and other villages of mountanious zone of Karabakh had essential role in the carpet weaving production.

With its colorful patterns and manufacturing technique., Zangazur and Nakhchivan are also included to Karabakh carpet school.

These carpet compositions feature classical patterns of Karabakh carpet-weaving school, including "Aran”, "Bagchadaguller", "Balıg", "Buynuz", "Barda", "Bahmanli", "Garabag", "Goja", "Gasımushagı", "Lambaran", "Mugan", "Talısh", "Lampa", "Malıbayli ", "Khangarvand", "Khanlıg", "Khantirma", "Chalabi", and "Shabalıdbuta".  

With its rich colors, this carpet school  comprises all undertones of nature of Karabakh. Historically, interim part of Azerbaijan carpets is dyed in red. Besides various plants, these colours are gained from different kind of insects. The most popular insect from which red colour is produced is scale insect or red worm.

Carpet-weaving art is considered an integral part of Azerbaijani culture and craftsmanship.

The traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving has been included into UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Azerbaijani carpets are stored in many prestigious museums and private galleries around the world.

In 2016, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on the establishment of Carpet Weavers' Day to honor those who are engaged in creating Azerbaijan's enchanting and vivid carpets. Since then, Carpet Weavers' Day has been widely celebrated across the country.

Carpet Weavers' Day has been celebrated at the National Carpet Museum.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture Sevda Mammadaliyeva,  the chairman of the Azerbaijan Parliamentary Culture Committee Ganira Pashayeva, Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts Jeyran Mahmudova, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Jahit Bagchi, Moroccan Ambassador to Azerbaijan Muhammad Mohamed Adil Ambarch, Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Baku Irek Zinnurov, as well as cultural figures and carpet weavers.

In her speech, the Carpet Museum director, chairman of ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee Shirin Melikova provided insight into the museum's activities, prospects of cooperation and further initiatives.

"Both our ancient carpets and carpets created by modern artists are kept in the museums around the world. As a result of numerous scientific research expeditions conducted in the country's regions, the museum's fund has been significantly enriched ", she added.

One of the most significant events was the weaving of "Bahram Gur and Durseti" carpet inspired based on Nizami Ganjavi's poem "Seven Beauties".

The rug was woven by talented carpet weavers Honored Artist Tarier Bashirov, Amina Alieva and Tarana Gasimova to mark the poet's 880th anniversary.

This bright and colorful carpet is created according to old technologies with many elements, compositions and patterns. The work on the project went on for one year.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture Sevda Mammadaliyeva, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Parliamentary Culture Committee Ganira Pashayeva and prominent carpet weaver, Honored Cultural Worker Zahra Aliyeva noted that carpet weaving is one of the most ancient and significant types of Azerbaijani folk applied art, the traditions and secrets of which were carefully kept and passed down through generations.

The speakers stressed the importance of the state's role in preserving and promoting Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, including carpet weaving art.

By decision of the 5th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Nairobi, Kenya (2010), "The traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving art" was added to UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Next, chairman of the Azerbaijan Parliamentary Culture Committee Ganira Pashayeva spoke about the project developed by the Carpet Museum for people with disabilities. She also stressed the importance of the returning back the 18th century Karabakh carpet to Azerbaijan.

"It is especially gratifying that the 8th century Karabakh carpet was returned to our country, especially after the Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War. President Ilham Aliyev has declared Shusha as Azerbaijan's cultural capital. A branch of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum will be re-open in Shusha in the near future and Karabakh carpets will return to home country," she said. 

Furthermore, the Culture Ministry awarded the employees of the "Traditional Technologies" Department and the museum experts with honorary diplomas.

At the end of the event, the participants got acquainted with the exhibition of carpets woven in recent years by the "Traditional Technologies" Department.

An exhibition "Lithuanian Tatars" has solemnly opened at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in Baku.

The exhibition featured rare portraits of prominent personalities, as well as historical photographs reflecting the customs and culture of the Lithuanian Tatars.

The opening ceremony of the "Lithuanian Tatars" exhibition has been held at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation with the participation of President of the organization Gunay Afandiyeva and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Opening the event, the president of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva said that modern Turkic-speaking peoples are widespread beyond their historical borders. She pointed out that that Tatars living in Lithuania are an integral part of the Turkic World.

Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that the announcement of 2021 as the year of history and culture of the Lithuanian Tatars demonstrates the attitude of Lithuanian Republic to the Turkic World.

"Lithuania's special attention to the history and culture of ethnic minorities living in the country contributed to the signing in February of this year of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Lithuanian Embassy. The main goal of our organization is to preserve, study and promote the cultural values of the Turkic people, "Afandiyeva said.

Speaking at the exhibition, Lithuanian FM Gabrielius Landsbergis pointed out that the sides discussed cultural ties between peoples that originated in the Middle Ages. 

"Lithuania is home to a small but unique group of Tatars and Karaites. The Tatar and Karaite peoples were invited to Lithuania from the Crimea by the Grand Duke of Lithuania in the 15th century. During all this time, despite their small number, they managed to preserve their identity," he said.

The Minister emphasized that in 1918 many Tatars took an active part in the creation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and various state structures.

International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and Lithuania have agreed on expanding ties on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in February.

Then Gabrielius Landsbergis thanking Gunay Afandiyeva for the cooperation of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation with Lithuania, as well as for holding an event dedicated to the Lithuanian Tatars, and presented the "Kaunas Mosque" picture to the organization. President of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva presented an Azerbaijani carpet belonging to the Karabakh school to FM Landsbergis.

Next, the guests enjoyed a concert program with participation of talented musicians  Nailya Ismatulina Zeynab Aliulova, Rashid Temirbulatov and dancer Amal Akhmedulin.

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation was established at Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's initiative and with the support of the Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Turkish leaders.

The headquarters of the organization is located in Baku, Azerbaijan. The president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation is Gunay Afandiyeva. 

The opening ceremony of the foundation's building was held within the framework of the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States in October 2019 with the participation of foreign ministers of the member and observer countries of the foundation, as well as heads of international Turkic cooperation organizations.

The foundation focuses on the preservation of Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries.

The organization provides assistance in the protection, study and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects and programs. It carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.

In 2019, at the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States (Turkic Council), Uzbekistan became a member of the organization, and Hungary received the status of an observer country.

In February 2021, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Lithuanian embassy in Azerbaijan.