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  • Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation to expand international ties

    President of International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has discussed the prospers of cooperation with Lithuania and Kyrgyzstan. 

    Gunay Afandiyeva met with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis at the Foundation.

    The sides discussed the prospects of cooperation as well as further plans to expand ties on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in February this year between the Foundation and the Embassy of Lithuania in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

    Head of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that the visit is taking place at a significant time - in the aftermath of Azerbaijan's historic victory.

    Referring to the declaration of 2021 the Year of History and Culture of the Lithuanian Tatars, she noted that this is a manifestation of Lithuania's respect for the minorities living on its territory.

    President of International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation emphasised  that the national minorities of Turkic origin living in Lithuania - Tatars and Karaites - are an integral part of the Turkic world.

    Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis expressed great satisfaction with the visit to the Foundation and highly appreciated the cooperation between the organization and Lithuania.

    He stressed the importance of his visit to the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

    The Minister pointed out that Lithuania pays special attention to the protection and study of the historical and cultural heritage of the small Turkic peoples living in the country.

    Speaking about further joint projects to strengthen the partnership between the organization and Lithuania, the Minister invited the Foundation's President Gunay Afandiyeva to Lithuania.

    Furthermore, Charge d'affaires of the Kyrgyzstan  Mukhamed Lou has visited the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation to present a number of books reflecting the literature and art of the Kyrgyz people to the organization's library.

    Among the donated books are "Manas", "Semetey" and other heroic epics of the Turkic world, as well as literary samples of history and culture written by outstanding poets and writers of Kyrgyzstan.

    Gunay Afandiyeva expressed her graditude to  Mukhamed Lou for the books given to the Foundation. She emphasised that books, which are cultural, spiritual and historical values of Kyrgyzstan are of particular importance for the organization.

    Mukhamed Lou highly appreciated the work done by the Foundation to study, preserve and popularize the rich material and cultural heritage of the Turkic-speaking peoples. He stressed that Kyrgyzstan will continue to provide all possible support to the organization.

    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.

  • Baku,Tashkent to hold joint project

    The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Uzbekistan has announced an international contest.

    The project is timed to the 880th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi and the 580th anniversary of the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi.

    Universities, scientific and cultural institutions, scientists and researchers, artists and journalists from both countries are expected to take part in the competition.

    The Organizing Committee will consist of well-known Azerbaijani and Uzbek scientists and literary critics.

    The first, second and third place winners in each nomination will be awarded cash prizes and honorary diplomas. The art contest will last until December 1, 2021.

    Notably, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan pay a great attention to strengthening the cultural partnership.

    Meanwhile, Uzbekistan House of Culture may open in Azerbaijan. The initiative was discussed at the meeting between First Deputy Minister of Culture, Acting Minister of Culture Anar Karimov and Uzbek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov. 

    The sides shared views on joint projects of the two countries to celebrate the 580th anniversary of the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi and the 880th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi in ​​2021, as well as the organization of mutual cultural days.

    A declaration on further strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries was signed in 2004 and a solid legal base for the development of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek cooperation was established.

    In 2011-2015 bilateral agreements have been reached in various spheres, in particular, in promotion and mutual protection of investments, exemption from double taxation, economic cooperation, free trade, customs cooperation and etc.

    Over 30 companies with Uzbek capital currently operate in transit, trade, industry and service sectors in Azerbaijan. Moreover, transportation projects implemented in the South Caucasus are of great importance for Uzbekistan in Central Asia-Europe trade routes.

  • Nizami Ganjavi Int'l Center works with Ukrainian artist to bring Nizami's Khamsa into life

    Board of Trustees Member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Kateryna Yushchenko and Member former President Viktor Yushchenko worked with Ukrainian artist in order to bring into life Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi.

    This is dedicated to the 880th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi and 2021 been dedicated to him.

    There will be other ongoing initiatives with the Nizami Ganjavi International Center to celebrate his legacy and great works.

  • AGF celebrates Int'l Dance Day

    The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) has shared a video dedicated to International Dance Day, which is celebrated on April 29.

    The video features  two-time medalist of the World Junior Championship, Arzu Jalilova who fascinates viewers with her flexibility. 

    International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance, initiated by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.

    The celebration takes place every year on April 29 , which is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), the creator of modern ballet.

    The day strives to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held on the date all over the world. UNESCO formally recognize ITI to be the creators and organizers of the event.

    Since the early Middle Ages, various kinds of dances started to form in Azerbaijan.

    Vagzali, gangi, yalli, terekeme, nalbeki are among other popular dances in the country.

    Vagzali is played when the bride is seen off from her family house to the house of the bridegroom and her departure is reflected in this dance.

    Yalli is a very old and traditional dance in Azerbaijan. At first, it was performed in the form of a traditional celebration of fire, which was a source of heat, light, and warm food. In this traditional celebration, dancers worship fire as a goddess. This dance is performed by a group of people and in ancient times whoever didn’t dance properly was fined by the chieftain who would make him sing a song or dance another dance.

    Terekeme is a dance of tribesmen. Those who are dancing extend their arms and go forward with their heads up. This dance is filled with the feelings of freedom and expansiveness. Both men and women perform it.

    Nalbeki (saucer) is a dance performed only by women, during the dance saucers are used.

    The first professional dance group in Azerbaijan was created in 1938 on the basis of amateur performance. The ensemble performed with a diverse repertoire, consisting of ancient and modern folk dances. 

    Today, traditional dances are still performed by people of Azerbaijan.

    Now they are widely taught and performed throughout the country and abroad.

  • Agbulag village through eyes of young artists

    Agbulag Ski Center has recently awarded the winners of the art competition.

    Within the art contest "Art Battle of Young Artists", the young talents presented wonderful landscapes inspired by Agbulag village.

    The main goal of the competition is to reveal the creative potential of talented artists as well as environmental protection.

    The winners and prize-winner of the competition were awarded with diplomas and valuable prizes. 

    With its favorable natural-geographical conditions, Agbulag village has extensive tourism potential.

    A complex work is being carried out to develop rural and mountain-ski tourism in Agbulag within "The State Program on Tourism Development in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2018-2022".

    Agbulag Ski Center provides great opportunities for Nakchivan's tourism development. The ski center has many parks, a cable car, ski school, artificial snow making systems and much more. 

  • Inclusive Theater starts rehearsals

    Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater has started rehearsals within "Inclusive Theater" project.

    The general producer of the "Inclusive Theater" is the theater's coordinator for international projects, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Criticism Rajab Mammadov, Trend Life reported.

    The project participants will be taught by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Parviz Mammadrzayev and Honored Art Worker, director Askar Askarov.

    Theater volunteers trained in sign language will also take part in the project. Under the guidance of the theater employee Aluda Shakarova, they will help the participants throughout the project.

    The theater director, Honored Art Worker Aligismet Lalayev expressed gratitude to everyone who participates in the implementation of this project.

    The artistic director of the Theater's Creative Studio, People's Artist Shafiga Mammadova wished success to the members of the group, which operates at the studio.

    Head of the Arts Department at the Culture Ministry Farah Adjalova and International Cooperation and Innovative Development Department Advisor Araz Baghirli stressed that the Culture Ministry always supports such projects.

    Meetings and classes of the inclusive theater participants will be held mainly online, and twice a week in a small group amid quarantine measures.

  • National poetess to join Red Carnation Festival

    National poetess Nigar Hasanzade has been invited to read out her poems at Red Carnation International Poetry Festival on April 29-30.

    As part of the festival, Nigar Hasanzade will read out her work "Little Storyteller" in English and poem "My Karabakh", written in the first days of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.

    Nigar Hasanzade's performance will take place on April 30. The poetess was invited to join the festival by the project coordinator Ziba Karbasi, who is from Tabriz (Iran) and is an ethnic Azerbaijani. 

    The Red Carnation Festival aims to support values ​​such as peace, democracy and tolerance, freedom and equality among all peoples and countries. The festival will bring together famous poets from 40 countries.

    Nigar Hasanzade is a member of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, PEN International Association of Writers and laureate of the Humay National Academy of Azerbaijan Prize. 

    The author of such collections as "Wings Over the Horizon", "Under the Clouds of Others", "Silver", "Wrists" and others. 

    Since 2015, she is the head of "Soz" literary project. Supported by the Cultural Ministry and the State Economic University (UNEC), the project is important from the point of view of promotion of the Azerbaijani culture. Soz project is headed by famous poetess Nigar Hasanzade.

    In 2020, the poetess took part in Festival Internacional de Poesía Los Confines.

    As part of the festival, Nigar Hasanzade delighted the listeners together with the world poetry stars Milena Ercolani from San Marino and Marko Pogakar from Croatia.

    The poems were translated by the President of the Delaware University Senate (USA) Victoria Urbano and Doctor of Philology Alexander Selimov.

    The festival brought together 45 poets from 36 countries of the world. More than 50,000 spectators watched the festival program.

    The participants' poems were published in a special edition of Los Confines Festival, National Autonomous Prefecture University Press University of Honduras, Casasola Editores and Malpaso Ediciones in Spanish translation. The PDF format of this edition, along with the printed version, was presented to thousands of readers and poetry lovers around the world.

  • Muslim Magomayev's statue to be erected in Baku

    A monument to Muslim Magomayev will be erected at National Seaside Park in Baku. The work on the bronze statue will be completed in the coming days. 

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to erect a monument to the eminent singer. 

    Baku city Executive Power and the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry are ensuring the implementation works on erecting the monument designed by People's Artist Omar Eldarov. 

    Muslim Magomayev made a great contribution to the Azerbaijani music. His creative activity occupies a special place in the country’s music history.

    The idol of millions became famous around the USSR at the age of 19 after a stellar performance at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. He became known in Europe after a successful performance at the Youth Festival in Helsinki, Finland.

    A very important stage in mastering his vocals skills even further was his training in the La Scala Opera Theatre in Milan. Muslim's stay in Italy – a country of innumerable art treasures and the home of bel canto – in the 1960s was not only beneficial for his singing but also affected his inner world.

    At the age of 30, Magomayev was one of the youngest recipients of the highest artistic title, People's Artist of the USSR. He also received numerous awards for his contribution to opera and popular music in the Soviet Union.

    The legendary singer also wrote songs, film soundtracks and music for theatre performances. In addition, he played in films and acted as a host in television and radio broadcasts. He also loved to paint pictures but called it his hobby.

    In his later life, Magomayev struggled with a serious heart condition. In 1998, Magomayev officially ended his musical career and gave only a few performances together with his wife.

    One of the greatest singers of the 20th century died of heart failure in Moscow on October 25, 2008, and was laid to rest in Baku.

  • Ayyub Guliyev to join international forum in Rotterdam

    Opera House of Rotterdam has invited the chief conductor and musical director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev to take part in the "O. Professionals Program" International Online Forum on May 11-12. 

    The program of the forum includes the presentation of new opera compositions, discussions and debates on the theme "In / Equality on the Digital Stage".

    The performance of the Azerbaijani conductor at the Rotterdam Forum is scheduled for May 12.

    Ayyub Guliyev will also represent Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater at the General Assembly of the International European Opera Association on May 20-21.

    Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater has been a member of the assosiation since 2017.

    The agenda of the meeting includes the election of new board members and the secretary of the association, discussion of the program of the International Opera Day (October 25) and reports of the director of the association, Nicholas Payne and President Brigitte Svendsen (Director of the Royal Swedish Opera) following the results of the conferences and symposia in the 2020-2021 season.

    Ayyub Guliyev is the winner of several competitions, including the International Conducting Competition after B. Lyutoslavckiy in Belostok in 2006 and the International Conducting Competition after D. Mitropoulos in Athens in 2008 and many others. 

    The Honored Artist of Azerbaijan successfully collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (United Kingdom), Hamburg Klassik (Germany), Radio France, Lamoure, Elios (France) orchestras, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Wiener Consilium (Austria), Toscanini Philharmonic (Italy), Kolors Symphony Orchestra (Greece), Sichuan and Kunmin Philharmonic Orchestras (China), Danube Orchestra (Hungary), Russian National Orchestra (RNO), Russian Philharmonic Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia) orchestra (Croatia, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia), Lithuanian National Orchestra,etc.

    In 2018, Ayyub Guliyev was appointed as a chief conductor and music director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. He is also an associate professor at the Baku Music Academy.

    In summer, Ayyub Guliyev signed a contract with the music agencies in Serbia, Slovakia and Germany.

    Several projects have been already implemented as part of this cooperation. In November, the composer signed a contract with the Dutch company TACT.  The company is the global leader in personal artist management of established international artists.

    Ayyub Guliyev has successfully performed in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, USA, Canada, Denmark, France, Austria, Israel, England, Turkey, Moldova, Poland, Afghanistan, India, Iran, Iraq and other countries.

    The musician collaborated with many well-known orchestras, including the Vienna State Chamber Orchestra, the Wiener Consilium Musicum (Austria), the Parisian Lamure Orchestra (France), the Danube Symphony Orchestra (Hungary), the Bohdan Varhal State Chamber Orchestra ( Slovakia), Ankara State Capella Orchestra (Turkey), Tehran State Orchestra of Folk Instruments (Iran), etc.

  • Majestic Imamzadeh Mausoleum in Ganja

    Azerbaijan Culture Ministry has launched a new project "Let's know our Islamic heritage".

    The project features short videos highlighting the monuments of Islamic culture in Azerbaijan. 

    The Culture Ministry has already provided insight into Imamzadeh Mausoleum in Ganja. 

    The mausoleum consists of a complex including walls with entrances, small mosques and funerary monuments.

    It is located inside the mosque, bears the grave of one of the sons of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, the grave of one of the sons of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir. 

    The central dome of the mosque is decorated with floral elements and symbolic characteristic peacock drawings.

    The central dome differs significantly from others in terms of its structure and dimensions. 

    The mausoleum was constructed using red bricks and features specific to the Arran Architectural School were used. Small dome cells on the right and left sides of the central dome were later added to the monument in the 13th-16th centuries.

    Since 1946, the mausoleum has been known as a shrine to Imamzadeh. 

    By order of the President Ilham Aliyev, restoration works were been carried out at the mausoleum in 2010-2015.

    Notably, the Culture Ministry has previously lauchned "Know your Christian heritage" project, covering the history of state-protected churches and other temples in Azerbaijan.

    The videos dedicated to the Albanian church in Sheki's Kish village, the Alban-Udi Chotari church in Gabala's Nij village, the 19th Kurmyuk temple in Gakh region, the Albanian church (Three Saints Church) and German Lutheran Church in Sheki, Orthodox church in Ganja as well as the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku were also released as part of the project.