NEWS

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has announced the winners of a virtual drawing competition on "Let's Protect Our World: Traditions of the Turkic World".

The art contest aims at encouraging young people to study and preserve ancient customs and traditions, national and spiritual values of the Turkic world, as well as to demonstrate their creative abilities.

The competition brought together schoolchildren aged 5 to 17 years from the organization's member and observer countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Hungary, as well as Turkmenistan, Bulgaria and Ukraine. 

The young artists presented their paintings in 12 thematic categories: "Dada Gorgud", "Our Heritage", "Customs and Traditions", "Samazens", "Woman of the Turkic World", "Novruz", "Carpets", "National cuisine", "Music", "Games", "Let's protect our world" and "Turkic Unity".

President of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva presented certificates and awards to the group of winners from Azerbaijan, selected by the jury, as well as by online voting. 

Gunay Afandiyeva emphasized the importance of a deeper study of the rich history and culture of the Turkic world. 

President of the Foundation noted that the organization has prepared a book reflecting the customs and traditions of the Turkic-speaking peoples based on the drawings of participants of the competition, and that a presentation of the book will be held next year.

The winners include Maryam Guluzade who was awarded with the "Grand Prix", Kovsar Gurban won prize in the nomination "Friendship", while Aytaj Talyshinsky was named best in the nomination "Knowledge". 

At the same time, Jalil Karimli took 1st place at the age of 6-9 years, Arif Guliyev - 3rd place at the age of 6-9 years, Sura Dadashzade - 2nd place at the age of 14-16 years. 

Other winners included Maryam Guluzade ("Novruz" nomination), Tahmina Karimova in ("Samazens"), Sameandar Gurbanzade ("Carpets"), Zarina Shikhaliyeva ("Music"). 

Certificates of children participating in the competition from the regions of Azerbaijan, as well as from other Turkic-speaking countries, will be delivered by e-mail amid coronavirus pandemic. 

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.

Anar Karimov has been appointed the Azerbaijan Minister of Culture. President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order in this regard.

By another presidential order, Anar Karimov has been relieved of his post as First Deputy Minister of Culture.

The Order of the President dated July 20, 2020 No. 2163 "On granting the authority to temporarily act as Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was annulled as well. 

Austrian singer Karen Onidia Danger-Manafzade has thrilled music lovers with Azerbaijani folk song "Ay Lachin". 

Her performance was accompanied by eminent pianist and composer Abuzar Manafzade. 

The Austrian singer heard the folk song three years ago. The music piece sunk into the soul of the singer. 

Notably, Karen Onidia Danger-Manafzade previosly performed another Azerbaijani music pieces, including "Sari Galin", the part of Gulchohra from Uzeyir Hajibeyli's operetta "The Cloth Peddler" , the songs "My Azerbaijan" and "Azerbaijan" from the repertoires of the legendary Rashid Behbutov and Muslim Magomayev, as well as Azerbaijani anthem. 

On the eve of the New Year 2021, Nargis Publishing House has unveiled Nargis Book “Karabakh” – a special issue dedicated to Karabakh's culture and history.

Nargis Publishing House has released a tailor-made issue of Nargis Book for the first time in eight years. The publication intends to introduce the world to the answer of why Karabakh matters so much to Azerbaijan and likewise share with the readership the history and abounding cultural heritage of this region.

Prominent art critics and historians have been working on the materials to be included in the publication. They described the authentic history of Karabakh in plain language, created a chronology based only on archival documents and scientific publications presented facts impartially, and restored historical justice.

Nargis Book features exclusive interviews with prominent personalities of world art and public figures; articles on the contribution of Azerbaijanis to world culture and science; the history of the Karabakh region, starting with the settlements of the Azykhantrop; exclusive photo sessions and series of illustrations; reportage photography from liberated Aghdam and Fuzuli and much more. The materials are exemplified with archival images, including rare photographs of Yakov Khalip from the collection of the Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography.

The publication was prepared largely in English, accompanied by QR codes that allow you to indulge yourself with videos and Azerbaijani national music, and is complemented by seven postcards featuring districts of Karabakh and illustrated letters of the Azerbaijani alphabet. Each issue of the new release presents you with a postcard, which altogether will add up to craft the word Karabakh (Qarabağ).

The initiative and ideological inspiration of the project emanates from Ulviyya Mahmudova, the editor-in-chief of Nargis magazine. The project was implemented thanks to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azercell, Azerenerji, the State Azerbaijan Automobile Roads Agency, Pasha Holding, Azerbaijan Banks Association, AzerGold, Veysaloglu Group of Companies, Baku Transport Agency, Nurgun Motors, Kontinent Construction.

Nargis Book presents the image of multicultural and multinational Azerbaijan to the international audience.

The publication aims to shape the accurate opinion about Azerbaijan, Azerbaijanis and the substance of the conflict in Karabakh. It also intends to boost the country image worldwide, and introduce the foreign readership to the people of different languages, ethnicities and religious affiliations that live together in spirit of friendship and harmony as a single peace-loving nation. To achieve this goal, this publication will be distributed among European countries including Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Turkey, as well as in the United States.

Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Salim M. AlMalik has announced the start of the preparations for holding an international conference on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad in cooperation with the Muslim World League (MWL) and Mohammadia League of Scholars. The conference, which will bring together several intellectuals, will highlight the Prophet’s unique virtues and refute allegations and offenses leveled against him.

The announcement was part of AlMalik’s address at the 3rd Media Forum of the Union of OIC News agencies. The event saw the participation of many permanent delegates of OIC Member States, directors and representatives of news agencies, radio stations and digital platforms; media and communication teachers, as well as the directors and representatives of OIC bodies. The 3rd forum explored the future of cultural action in the Islamic world and the efforts of ICESCO.

“The conference, which aims at highlighting the noble virtues and values of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is part of the efforts of ICESCO and its partners in defending and publicizing Islam, the Prophet, and the Islamic civilization and culture,” highlighted AlMalik.

Azerbaijani folk song "Sari Gelin'' has sounded in Shusha's Gazanchi temple.

This beautiful song was performed by Honored Artist Shirzad Fataliyev and soloist of "Natiq Ritm Grupu" Magsad Azizov (balaban). 

The name "Sari Gelin" has several meanings: translated from the Azerbaijani language - "Bride in yellow" and "Golden-haired bride", as well as - "Bride from the mountains", "Girl of the mountains".

There are several versions of the composition history. During the third Congress of Azerbaijani ashugs, great opera singer from Shusha, one of the founders of the national musical theater Bulbul (Murtuza Mammadov) noted that this song was composed in Azerbaijan`s Karabakh region. 

According to tradition, when a girl was wooed in Karabakh, the next day she was in a yellow dress. The words of the song "They will not give you up for me" say that the girl is already married, as she is dressed in yellow.

According to the musicologist Saadet Takhmirazgizi,  song "Sari Gelin Gyalin"  appeared during the reign of the classic of Azerbaijani literature, the commander, founder of the Safavid dynasty Shah Ismail Khatai. 

The musicologist suggests that he dedicated this song to his love, as evidenced by the similarity of the lines "They do not pick a wet flower" from the song and the line from the poetry of the Shah, where he compares a beautiful girl with a flower. 

For the first time, the composition was put to music by the Azerbaijani composer Asef Zeynalli in 1928.

The song was included in the repertoire of legendary mugham performers. It was also widely used by Azerbaijani composers in their works, operas, plays and many films. 

"Sari Gelin" was also performed at the opening of international events and sports competitions.

There is also Azerbaijani dance "Sari Gelin" and a musical ensemble of the same name. In 2006, the Azerbaijani-Norwegian ensemble "Sari Gelin" was created, which performs Azerbaijani mugham and Norwegian folk songs.

Azerbaijani writers have entered the long list of the "International Peace Prize 2020-2021" .

The prize was established by the International Union of Writers and members of the World Circle of Peace Ambassadors (Paris - Geneva) in 2020 with the aim of strengthening interethnic peace and harmony.

National writers Chingiz Abdullaev, Ramiz Abbasly (Ramiz Barkhudarov), Ramiz Deniz (Ramiz Gasimov) are nominated for the best prose.

Nariman Hasanzade, Sabir Rustamkhanli are nominated for the best poetry, Chingiz Abdullaev - "Detective novel", Sariya Mammadova -"Publicism", Ramiz Deniz- "Children's Literature".

The International Union of Writers is the world's largest organization of professional writers, founded in 1954. The headquarters of the organization was located in Paris until 2010. Its main division is located in Moscow.

Azerbaijani singers continue to release patriotic projects and songs to mark Azerbaijan's victory in the Patriotic War.

Azerbaijani folk song "Shusha's mountains" has sounded in the liberated Shusha city. 

Honored Artists Tayyar Bayramov and Anar Shushali, khananda Miralam Miralamov and pop singer Azad Shabanov performed the famous folk song strolling through the streets of Shusha.

Azerbaijani patriotic folk song about Shusha, where this town is compared to a beautiful girl was written by eminent mugham singer Khan Shushinski. The song is performed with accompaniment of tar and kamancha. The national singers thrilled the listeners with their performance.

Moreover, 2011 Eurovision Song Contest winner Eldar Gasimov has released a patriotic song composition "I want to wake up in Karabakh!"

The music was composed by Vagif Yagubov, lyrics-Leyla Nasibli, arrangement -Osman Hamidov. The composition is presented in Russian. The music video was filmed  by Fuad Takhmazli.

The video clip uses archival footage from Karabakh.

"I already woke up in Karabakh, I see how the kids play ... We are not in fear for them for a long time ... Pain, anxiety - the past, yesterday ..."  said in the song.

Since its presentation, the song has received a large number of positive reviews from the audience.

Young talents also presented a touching music video in honor of Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

"We are the victorious people! We are the liberating people! And this is the future of our glorious people, who grow with great love and hope to always see their native Karabakh free from the Armenian occupiers. Every second, minute, hour of the 44-day Karabakh Patriotic War has become a real legend, which is written by the heroism of our soldiers and the blood of martyrs. The proud flag of Azerbaijan flies in the liberated territories and it is time to return to their homes, "the message said.

The project was organized by Pİ GROUP. The author of the project is Ismayil Gasimov, the author of the idea-Parvana Mammadova, cameraman-Sahilkhan,  editing director-Elvin Pasha.

The music piece "Bayati Shiraz" (1977) was performed in the video by Tadjir Shahmalyoglu as part of the children's ensemble "Nightingales of Karabakh" to the words of the Azerbaijani poet and playwright  Abbas Sahkhat, written back in 1904.

Spectacular concert has been held in Estonia to mark the Victory Day and the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day.

Co-organized by the Azerbaijani and Belarusian societies, the event was attended by officials of the embassies of Azerbaijan and Belarus in Estonia, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Integration Fund, representatives of national minorities and a number of media outlets.

World-famous Estonian musicians, including the soloist of the Estonian Opera and Ballet Theater Olga Zaitseva, the soloist of the Stockholm Royal Opera and Ballet Theater Dara Savinova and pianist Alexander Jankevits delighted the listeners with their fascinating talents. 

The performance of Dara Savinova in the Azerbaijani language aroused great interest among the audience. 

The event featured congratulatory speeches on the liberation of Azerbaijan's historical territories, calls for unity and solidarity of the Azerbaijani and Belarusian societies.

The House of Azerbaijan in Estonia has recently started to hold events of friendship and solidarity with other societies in Estonia, calling for further strengthening of relations with Azerbaijan and its friendly peoples.

At the end, participants and guests were presented gifts by the Azerbaijan House in Tallinn. 

Work on the revival of Azerbaijan's ancient gurama art is underway at the initiative of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve and the State Employment Agency. 

Seven women from the Gala village have been already involved in the project aimed at promoting gurama art and providing employment to women living in the Khazar region.

Speaking about the project, chairman of the State Employment Agency Mustafa Abbasbayli stressed that the women involved in the project were provided with equipment for the production of textiles under the self-employment program.

Head of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Asgar Alakbarov said that special trainings would be organized for the women involved in the project under the auspices of Sevil Mammadova, gurama artist and a participant in international Gurama exhibitions.

As part of the project, master classes will be organized in the Gala Reserve, not only for local residents, but also for tourists. In the future, it is planned to sell the received products under its own trademark.

The Old City Museum Center has enriched its collection with examples of gurama art.

Gurama is a kind of handicraft, where a single piece is sewn from pieces of fabric according to the principle of a mosaic.

Since ancient times, this artistic embroidery has been very popular in Azerbaijan. It was very common until the beginning of the twentieth century.

Now simple and uncomplicated geometric patterns are replaced by more and more complex combinations of colors and shapes. Gurama art served a wide variety of purposes.

Traditionally, bridesmaids with beautiful tastes and abilities were invited to the house where the bride's dowry was prepared.

This type of art, which does not have a certain style, requires the master only artistic taste and the ability to create compositions from appropriate colors.

Gurama was considered the main part of the dowry. There was a tradition among people that the bride used to make pillows, mattresses and rugs for her parents-in-law with her own hands as a sign of respect. When the bride moved to the groom’s house, she would give them these gifts.

The Ethnographic Fund of the Azerbaijan History Museum keeps more than 100 examples of gurama art dating back to the 19th - early 20th centuries.

The Old City Museum has also enriched its collection with examples of gurama art.

The two exhibits have been recently donated to the Center by Taleh Abbasov, an employee of the Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve.

The author of the beautiful examples is Basira Mammadova, a resident of Shamakhi's Demirchi village. The exhibits date back to 1945-1950.

The Old City Museum Center is a structural division of the Administration of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve.

The Centre is open to the public with the legendary Maiden Tower, the Shirvanshahs' Palace Complex, Gala State Historical-Ethnographic Reserve Museum, Siratagli (arched -shaped) and Beyler Mosque that unites the time and the people with the feeling of love to humanity.

The Museum Center aims at promotion of Azerbaijan's rich culture and history.