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Animated films "Xeyir və Şər" (Good and Evil), "Şah və xidmətçi" (Shah and Servant) and "Fitnə" (Fitne) by Nazim Mammadov have been screened as part of Nizami Art Fest.

Initiated by the head of Arts Council Azerbaijan Dadash Mammadov, the festival features a series of events dedicated to Nizami Ganjavi: workshops for photographers and artists, exhibitions, screenings of animated films and much more. 

The animated films are based on Nizami's works. The screenings were organized in partnership with the Museum of Animation named after Nazim Mammadov. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan. 

Speaking at the event, the head of Arts Council Azerbaijan  Dadash Mammadov, expressed gratitude to the Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan for assistance in holding this event.

It was noted that the screenings were aimed at promoting Nizami`s rich literary heritage.

Dadash Mammadov stressed that the Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan pays great attention to the Azerbaijani culture and art and takes an active part in supporting various cultural events and projects.

The animated films were presented for students of the Educational Complex No. 132-134. The event was followed by a concert led by talented pianist, founder of the "Simurg" festival Saida Tagizade.

The concert brought together laureates of republican and international competitions, violinists Elmira Dadasheva and Khadija Hajili, mugham singer Kanan Bashirli, as well as a mugham trio consisting of Kamal Abdullaev (kamancha), Rufat Mustafayev (tar) and Rasul Novruzov (naghara).

The participants of the event also got acquainted with the exhibits of the Nazim Mammadov Animation Museum - the source materials of those films that were demonstrated during the screening. 

At the end of the evening, the musicians were presented with memorable gifts and educational comics dedicated to the protection of water resources and the rational use of the water of the Kura River. This project was initiated by the UNDP Kura II Project team with the support of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.  the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia and the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan.

Cultural figures and representatives of diplomatic missions have viewed art works inspired by Novruz holiday at National Art Museum. 

Metal products, exquisite examples of artistic embroidery, carpets and national clothes, paintings by Azerbaijani artists grabbed the attention of art lovers.

The exposition includes works by prominent Azerbaijani artists - Sattar Bahlulzade, Maral Rahmanzade, Vajia Samedova, Altai Hajiyev, Davud Kazimov, Eyyub Mammadov, Mahmud Tagiyev, Sadikh Sharifzade, Sara Manafova and others. The exhibition also features sketches of national Azerbaijani clothing created by the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Badura Afganli for the State Song and Dance Ensemble.

Minister of Culture Anar Kerimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramiz Hasanov, Director of the Museum Chingiz Farzaliyev, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, People's Writer Chingiz Abdullayev, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Union of Artists, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov addressed the event.

The speakers noted that Novtuz is one of the most ancient and beloved holiday in Azerbaijan. 

On September 30, 2009, Novruz was included by UNESCO in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since that time, March 21 has been declared as the International Day of Novruz.

It was emphasized that thanks to the successful policy confidently pursued by the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan took its rightful place among the states of the world. Thanks to the bravety of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, during the 44-day Patriotic War, the historical lands of Azerbaijan were liberated from the 30-year occupation, and the memory of the martyrs of the Karabakh war was honored.

The exposition will run until the end of March. 

“The Azerbaijani nation all over the world marks this year’s Novruz Holiday with double joy and a deep sense of gratitude to its heroic sons for claiming brilliant victory in the Patriotic War,” said Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia Faig Guliyev as he attended Novruz festivity in Tbilisi.

The ambassador noted that the Novruz Holiday occupied a special place in cultural and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, having its own unique customs and traditions.

The diplomat said that initiated by Azerbaijani First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Novruz Holiday had been inscribed on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

An exhibition dedicated to Novruz holiday has opened at  National Art Museum 

Metal products, exquisite examples of artistic embroidery, carpets and national clothes, paintings by Azerbaijani artists grabbed the attention of art lovers.

The exposition includes works by prominent Azerbaijani artists - Sattar Bahlulzade, Maral Rahmanzade, Vajia Samedova, Altai Hajiyev, Davud Kazimov, Eyyub Mammadov, Mahmud Tagiyev, Sadikh Sharifzade, Sara Manafova and others. The exhibition also features sketches of national Azerbaijani clothing created by the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Badura Afganli for the State Song and Dance Ensemble.

The exposition will be open until the end of the month.

Established in 1937, National Art Museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum. Moreover, about 12,000 items are kept in storage.

Art connoisseurs have a chance to enjoy the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Art works of Italian, French, German and Polish painters are displayed at the museum.

The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, is represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art.

Russian art is represented by paintings of Karl Briullov, Alexey Venetsianov, Vasily Vereshchagin, Isaac Levitan, Vladimir Makovsky, Valentin Serov, Vladimir Borovikovsky, Vasily Tropinin, Konstantin Korovin and Ivan Shishkin. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde.

The works of Azerbaijani artists such as Mir Mohsun Navvab, Bahruz Kangarli, Tahir Salahov, Azim Azimzade, Salam Salamzade, Vidadi Narimanbeyov, Mikail Abdullayev, Togrul Narimanbeyov and sculptor Omar Eldarov are also kept in the museum halls. 

Works of young Azerbaijani poets will be presented in Italian. The anthology "Si sono incontrati in milioni di anni" (Meeting in millions of year) will be published in April.

"Thie project will be implemented for the first time and will turn into another cultural bridge between Azerbaijan and Italy," said poetess Nigar Hasanzade. 

Work on the anthology began in 2019, when the famous Italian poet and writer David Rondoni visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Nasimi Festival of Poetry, Art and Spirituality.

The anthology will be published within the framework of the "Vivere all'italiana / Live in Italian" program.

The project has been already discussed with the Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Augusto Massari, who praised the initiative.

The project coordinators are Isabella Serra and Aydan Aliyeva, translator- Zuleikha Muradova.

Notably, the projects aimed at promoting of Azerbaijani artists and musicians will be implemented in near future.

The cultural ties between Italy and Azerbaijan have a long history which can be seen from travelers visiting Azerbaijan in the Middle Ages and Nasreddin Tusi's book "Interpretation of Euclid's "Elements".

Moreover, paintings of the Italian artists are stored in Azerbaijani museums, while many national carpets and jewelry are kept in museums and private collections in Italy.

Some legendary Azerbaijani singers like Bulbul and Muslim Magomayev mastered opera art in Italy.

Many cultural events have been held in both countries, including gala concerts, exhibitions, conferences, etc.

Italy is among those countries who render humanitarian assistance to Azerbaijan.

The agreement on the humanitarian aid between Azerbaijan and Italy, signed on June 1, 2005, is directed at easing the hard life of refugees and IDPs settled in Azerbaijan. The Italian government helped a number of medical and social institutions in Azerbaijan as well.

A cooperation agreement on the construction of energy infrastructure in the liberated lands was signed between Azerenergy Director-General Baba Rzayev and Italian Ansaldo Energia CEO Marion Giuseppe and Italian Ambassador Augusto Massari. Under the accord, Ansaldo Energia will supply equipment for four 110 kV substations to be built in the Aghdam, Kalbajar and Gubadli regions.

Shahbulag Castle in Aghdam is considered one of the most significant monuments in Azerbaijan's history.

Built in 1751-1752 by Panahali Khan, this historical site was named Shahbulag (Shah's spring) after a nearby spring bearing the same name.

The 18th century monument is actually the inner tower of the large castle complex, which was built of local building materials, limestone and rock.

The complex consists of houses, markets, baths and mosques and was surrounded by protective walls and guard towers.

The height of the wall is 7 meters, the height of the head is 8.5 meters. The only entrance to the complex is located to the east.

Shahbulag was the administrative center of the Karabakh Khanate.The buildings of Shahbulag influenced the architecture of the Karabakh Khanate, especially its capital named after Shusha.

Only the castle itself and the mosque on its northwestern end survived. The castle has a rectangular architectural design and its external walls are reinforced with circular and semicylinder towers.

During the reign of the khan, it was protected by two-story tower-like premises.

The top floor was intended for the khan with a stone staircase leading to it from the castle yard. The castle was built from half-hewn whole stones.

The heads of media resources and NGOs, bloggers and public activists visited the castle on March 13. They were informed about the history of the monument. 

Bulbul's House-Museum will be restored in liberated Shusha. The Culture Minister is developing a project to restore the house-museum of eminent opera singer. 

The restoration work will be considered once the project is approved. 

"As you know, Polad Bulbuloglu has already paid a visit there. The discussions will determine whether the restoration of the museum will be financed by Polad Bulbuloglu or the state," the Culture Minister said.

People’s Artist of the USSR Bulbul's House-Museum in Shusha existed until 1992.

The museum was a branch of the Baku memorial museum. The house-museum consisted of a courtyard, two rooms and a veranda. 

The house-museum stored rare and valuable documents on Bulbul's creative work, research, pedagogic and public activities.

There is a memorial plaque on the facade of the museum. The plaque bears a bronze portrait of Bulbul’s childhood made by the sculptor Khanlar Ahmadov. 

As a result of the occupation of Shusha by the Armenian Armed Forces more than 6 thousand museum pieces were destroyed and the transportable ones were carried to Armenia. 

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum (ANCM) stores one of the finest collections of exhibits. The museum has recently displayed jewelry and rugs from its collection. Mark your calendars to visit the ANCM and enjoy these stunning exhibits!

Gold​ pendants

A year ago, the ANCM live-streamed​ virtual exhibition opening, the first event of this kind in Azerbaijan. The exhibition included the gold​ pendants with​ polychrome enamel purchased at the world-famous Sotheby's.​

The pendant demonstrates the artistic features of the Qajar style. One side of the pendant is decorated with shiny enamel, while the other one with enamel, precious stones and patterns typical for that time.

Images of blossoming flowers and bids adorn the pendant’s surface. Lotus flower and birds enhance the pendant’s upper part.

The central part is decorated with eight transparent moon stones, the edges of which are like flower petals. There is a large, embossed, polished octagonal ruby ​​medallion in the middle of the jewelry. The  lower part is decorated with seven palmettes and pearls hanging from rings.

A moon-faced girl with fused eyebrows, a symbol of oriental female beauty surrounded by a floral composition graces the reverse side of the decoration.

Sumakh carpet

On March 13, 1967, the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR​ issued order​ No. 130 on the establishment of the world's first Carpet Museum in Baku. Let's learn more about the​ sumakh, the first exhibit of the museum's Flat-Woven Carpets collection.

This sample of a flatwoven carpet was included in the collection on December 18, 1967. The carpet was woven​ based on​ the​ Gollu-Chichi​ carpet of the Guba carpet group.​

The medallion's design in its central field is formed on the​ Golbendlik​ composition. The crossed branches of the medallion representing​ khatai​ element give this object a special artistic significance.

Chul​

Chul is a decorative cover that was used to protect and decorate the backs of different beasts of burden.

The horizontal stripes of different colors are decorated with the stylized bird images and​ zanjira, a​ symbolic image of a dragon,​ as well as human images and various little stars, featuring the cosmological thinking of our ancestors.​

Tamga (stamp) images in the shape of a peacock are associated with mystical ideas about the world enhance the object's design.​

Chul​ or a horse or camel cloth was also among the museum's first exhibits. This carpet product joined the collection back in 1967. ​

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

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

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

In 2019, the museum received the national status for its significant contribution in 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 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 the world leading museum organizations.

The exhibition "Echo of Soviet Azerbaijan. Carpet. Embroidery. Poster " held at the Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow in partnership with the Mardjani Foundation and the exhibition named "Azerbaijani carpets in the collection of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art held in Istanbul are among such projects.

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

The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Culture Anar Karimov has met with Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the country Sami Abdullah Ghosheh.

Minister Anar Karimov hailed the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Jordan in many areas. He noted that the friendly relations between the two countries also contribute to the expansion of cooperation in the field of culture.

Touching upon the visit of the delegation led by Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Dr. Salim M. AlMalik to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan on January 12, Karimov said that the ICESCO delegation has witnessed the destruction of cultural, historical and religious heritage of Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Sami Abdullah Ghosheh praised the current state of cultural ties between the two countries, expressing his confidence for further development of this cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the organization of mutual cultural days and joint exhibitions between the two countries, as well as future prospects for cooperation, exchange of experience, as well as implementation of joint projects.

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has published a book entitled "Azerbaijan on the Silk Road" in English and Russian.

The publication of the book is the first part of the large-scale international project "Turkic-speaking states on the Great Silk Road" being implemented by the Foundation.

The book is the first generalizing academic publication on the study of the history of Azerbaijan on the Great Silk Road from ancient times to the late Middle Ages.

In their work, scientists have conducted research on the impact of international land and sea trade routes passing through the territory of Azerbaijan on the political, economic and cultural development of the country in the II century. BC. - XVI centuries. AD as well as the country's role in the global cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

The work is compiled on the basis of numerous historical, archaeological and written sources written in different languages.

The author of the idea and foreword to the book is the President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva. 

The book was written under the guidance of Doctor of Historical Sciences (ANAS), Professor, full member of the National Academy of Sciences Shahin Mustafayev  by Ph.D. in History Farda Asadov, Doctor of Architecture, Full Member of the International Academy of Architecture of Eastern Countries, corresponding member of ANAS Jafar Giyas, Doctor of Philosophy in History, associate professor Goshgar Goshgarli and Azerbaijani scientist-archeologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences Tarih Dostiyev. The book will be also published  in the Azerbaijani language.

Initiated in 2012, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on preservation of Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries.

The Foundation 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.

Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States (CCTSS) is an intergovernmental organization, which aims at promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic Speaking States.

The organization was established by the Nakhchivan Agreement, which was signed at the Turkic Summit in 2009.

In order to fulfill the objectives and tasks of the CCTSS, the organization has been divided into the following structures: Council of Heads of States; Council of Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials Committee, Council of Elders, Secretariat, Coordination Committee, Representation Office of the Turkic Council in Budapest.