NEWS

Azerbaijan’s historic Shusha city that was recently liberated from the Armenian occupation has been declared the country’s cultural center.

President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on declaring Shusha as Azerbaijan's cultural capital on April 7.

Guided by paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Azerbaijani Constitution, the decision was made to restore the historical appearance of Shusha, restore its former glory and reunite it with a rich cultural life, as well as promote Azerbaijan's rich culture, architecture and urban planning in the international arena. 

The Cabinet of Ministers has been entrusted to solve the issues arising from the order.

Shusha has historically been one of the important centers of historical, cultural, socio-political life of Azerbaijan.

In 1977, Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev declared the historical part of Shusha as the historical and architectural reserve. As a result, major steps were taken to protect monuments in Shusha and perpetuate the memory of prominent cultural and artistic figures.

However, Armenia occupied the city of Shusha on May 8, 1992 and pursued a policy of destroying the historical and cultural heritage of our people in the city.

The historical justice was restored and on November 8, 2020,  when Shusha was liberated from Armenian occupation.

An immediate inventory of the damage to the city, its historical and cultural heritage and nature was carried out, and restoration work has begun. In order to ensure the efficiency of restoration works, great attention was paid to public administration in Shusha. Special envoy of the Azerbaijani President was appointed in the city.

Shusha, along with 300 other city centers, villages and settlements were liberated from around 30  years of Armenian occupation during the war between September 27 and November 10.

An English version of a new collection of poems “The World Smells Love” by Azerbaijani poet Khayal Rza has been published by Mutarjim Publishing House in Baku.

The book has been published under the project "Contemporary Azerbaijani Poetry in English", translated and compiled by writer and translator Dr Kamran Nazirli.

The project aims at promoting the young talented representative of the contemporary poetry of the Azerbaijani literature Khayal Rza among English readers. It will also be helpful to all those interested in modern Azerbaijani verse in English. All the poems included in this book were written by the author in different years. The meanings of obsolete and rare words related to the Azerbaijani history and culture have been given in the footnotes.

According to the project of Contemporary Azerbaijani Poetry in English the book contains 23 poems. The poems which are generally considered to be good and presenting special interest, either because they are typical of a peculiar time or new literary lines, or they appear to have exercised an influence. The collection is free-form and multi-formed.

Khayal Rza, a poet and a journalist, was born on April 17, 1980 in Beylagan. He is the member and Press Secretary of the Azerbaijani Writers Union (AWU). He is the author of several books such as Let It Be Love, Letters To The Other World, etc. He is also the Azerbaijani Representative of ILESAM -Turkey.

Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia Faig Guliyev has met with the country’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Tea Tsulukiani to discuss cooperation in the fields of culture and sports.

They exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between the relevant authorities of the two countries.

The two hailed the development of Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, including in sports and cultural areas.

Emphasizing the importance of reciprocal visits, the sides discussed the upcoming visit of Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Anar Karimov to Georgia this June.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is pleased to announce an intellectual game "What? Where? When?" timed to the International Museum Day on May 18.

The project is expected to involves 20 teams that will answer questions on arts, world museums, carpet weaving, and the National Carpet Museum. The game will be held via Zoom amid coronavirus pandemic. 

The number of participants is limited. The first registered 20 teams will be eligible to participate, all other teams will be included in the waiting list.

The winners will receive various prizes. If you would like to join the game, please register following the link.

Since 1997, International Museum Day (IMD) has been celebrated worldwide every year on May 18 . 

The IMD provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them as to the challenges that museums face. It serves as a platform to raise public awareness on the role museums play in the development of society today, on an international level.

In 2009, International Museum Day attracted the participation of 20,000 museums hosting events in more than 90 countries. In 2010, 98 countries participated in the celebration, with 100 in 2011, and 30,000 museums in 129 countries in 2012. 

The day promotes cultural exchange and cooperation between peoples and celebrated each year following different themes. This year's theme is The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.

International Museum Day 2021 will focus on rethinking the museum of the future to meet the challenges of the present.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum never ceased to amaze everyone with its beautiful architecture.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, it is beautiful inside and out. The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet.

The Carpet Museum stores over 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

The museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to the popularization and promotion of the Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving Art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with beautiful pile carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th century Guba carpet Ugakh was donated to the Carpet Museum, while Karabakh carpet Chelebi enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

The Carpet Museum also focuses on cooperation with world-leading museum organizations.

Moreover, the Carpet Museum won Travelers' Choice Awards for the fourth time in a row last year.

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

Rufat Ismayil is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of AFFFAIR brand. He is involved in the collection design and leads the innovative and creative lab of the garment production line.

The fashion designer has successfully presented his stunning collections in Italy, Iran, Turkey, UAE and other countries. His men's clothing collection was shown at Pitti Uomo 2015, the most important International event for menswear and men accessories collections.

In 2019, his fashion collection was successfully presented at New York Fashion Week. While creating these looks, the designer used chiffon, silk and other fabrics reminding the khari bulbul flower, the symbol of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

His stunning gowns were highly appreciated by fashionistas.

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

"Our main goal in creating a costume for Efendi was to convey the spirit of a strong, confident woman. In addition, the presence of national elements was an important point for us, and it was challenging to combine all this into one outfit. The most important thing is that Efendi in the costume should feel like a conqueror of hearts, because it is very important how the artist will present the outfit to the audience," said Rufat.

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.

"It is very important to talk about strong women in order to remind our beautiful ladies that despite the fact that we still live in a world full of prejudices, a woman can do anything and female power cannot be compared with anything. And if suddenly you do not have enough inspiration now, let the stories of strong women in history become the source of that very charge of energy with which you can cope with everything and achieve even bigger success. There is a queen in each of us and I want to remind you that it's time to release her," said Efendi.

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.

Azerbaijan State Translation Centre and Georgian Iverioni Publishing House have inked a Memorandum of Understanding.

The MoU was signed by Board Chair of the Azerbaijan State Translation Centre Afag Masud and Director of the Iverioni Publishing House Zaur Nachkebia.

Aimed at expanding literary and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia, the MoU will see the two centres jointly translate and publish samples of classical and modern literature, organize book presentations, roundtables and online conferences.

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.

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

Opening the event, the president of the Foundation welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude for their participation in the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Emphasizing that modern Turkic-speaking peoples are widespread beyond their historical borders, Gunay Afandiyeva noted 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 the Republic of Lithuania 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 said: “At today's meeting we discussed important events that took place 700 years ago and 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.”

Referring to historical facts, the minister stressed that in 1918 many Tatars took an active part in the creation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and various state structures.

The minister also expressed concern about the current situation of the Crimean Tatars.

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.

A concert program was also organized as part of the event. Tatar folk music on the accordion was performed by Rashid Temirbulatov, Tatar folk songs "Kaz Kanati" by Nailya Ismatulina, "Geljamal" by Zeynab Aliulova, Tatar folk dance by Amal Akhmedulin.

Local and foreign experts have been engaged in the work on the concept of the Patriotic War Memorial Complex and the Victory Museum in Baku.

In accordance with the developed concept, the Memorial Complex of the Patriotic War will turn into a modern center, which fully reflects Azerbaijan's victory over Armenian occupants through exhibits.

In April, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Military Trophy Park in Baku.

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry continues to enrich the fund of the Patriotic War Memorial Complex and the Victory Museum with new exhibits.

The Culture Ministry notes that citizens are actively involved in the transfer of exhibits for the foundation.

The Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Agency for Mine Action, the State Border Service, and the Ministry of Defense Industry as well as Gazelli Art House have already provided exhibits for the museum fund.

The museum's first exhibits include the remnants of various types of weapons and shells used by Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the Second Karabakh War, personal belongings of soldiers who bravely fought against Armenian invaders. 

The Patriotic War Memorial Complex and the Victory Museum will provide insight into the Patriotic War by using modern presentation technology.

The clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed after Armenia launched large-scale attacks on Azerbaijani forces and civilians on September 27. 

The 44 days of war ended with the Russian brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.  

The peace agreement ended the 30-years-old conflict between Baku and Yerevan over Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region that along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

For about three decades, Armenia failed to implement the UN Security Council resolutions demanding the withdrawal of the Armenian troops, which was the main obstacle to the resolution of the conflict. 

YARAT Contemporary Art Space has hosted another lecture as part of "Kura II" aimed at water protection.

At the event, children were informed about rational water use and the problems of the Kura River. The lecture was accompanied by a video slideshow.

Sona Guliyeva, the regional communications manager of the Kura II project, provided insight  into issues of rational water use.

The event was followed by concert, which brought together studets of the Bulbul Music School, Fikrat Amirov School of Arts No. 6, Music School No. 22 named after Niyazi.

Notably, the water park has recently opened at Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve as part of the project. 

The park was laid at the initiative of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Arts Council Azerbaijan, as well as the "Kura II" project of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The opening of the park was timed to coincide with World Earth Day. The ​​100-150 square meters park aims to draw public's attention to water protection issues. 

The park houses art objects and metal barrels painted by Azerbaijani artists during a workshop held by Arts Council Azerbaijan. All of the artists' works are dedicated to the careful treatment of water resources.

The painted metal barrels fulfill both ecological and design functions. So, the participants of the event planted the seedlings of the medlar tree in barrels. There are also wells in the park dating back to the 18th century.

There is no doubt that the park will become a favorite recreation place for residents and guests of the country, contributing to water resources issues.

World-famous pianist and composer Isfar Sarabski has released a new music album.

The music album "Planet" recorded in collaboration with Warner Music Group, was released on International Jazz Day. 

As the musician says, the music album fully reflects his feelings and word views. The musician pays special attention to the major events that has affected humanity over the past years. Through his music, Isfar Sarabski engages in dialogue with listeners. 

For Isfar, music is dialogue of souls. The musician strives to create a wonderful music to awaken deep human feelings Through jazz music.

"Jazz really helps to find deeper, smaller, but important parts of the soul. It's a kind of code that cannot always be deciphered, but it has a unique shape. That is why I really wanted to define my debut album "Planet" as a jazz album," the musician said.

Notably, Isfar Sarabski has became the first Azerbaijani jazz musician to join Warner Music Group.

Isfar Sarabski is officially included in the Warner Music Group’s extensive music list. 

In 2019, the musician released the music piece "Horses of Karabakh", recorded in partnership with Warner Music Group (WMG).

The final decision was made after the musician's performance at the Jazzahead festival held in Germany.

Isfar Rzayev, better known as Isfar Sarabski, is the great-grandson of opera singer Huseyngulu Sarabski. His musical talent manifested itself at an early age.

Musician began playing the piano at the age of seven. Sarabski studied classic piano for eleven years at the Bulbul Music School. After that, he continued his education at the Baku Music Academy.

He completed his studies at the Academy in 2011, graduating as a classical concert pianist. In the same year the pianist received a scholarship from the Berklee Music College, Boston, and the U.S.

After that, the musician formed the Isfar Sarabski Trio with Moscow-based musicians Alexander Mashin (drums) and Makar Novikov (bass). The trio has performed in many festivals and concert venues across North America and Europe.

Azerbaijan's young virtuoso has performed in the most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Miles Davis Hall, the Vibrato Jazz Club, Jazz Club Ronnie Scott's, the Zinco Jazz Club, the Konzerthaus, Asphalt Jazz Club, Duc des Lombards Jazz Club, Porgy & Bess Jazz Club, Bird’s Eye Jazz Club and the Apollo Theater.