NEWS

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

The two exhibits were 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.

Notably, the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve and the State Employment Service agreed on reviving Azerbaijan's ancient art of gurama. 

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

The project participants will undergo special training organized by the Icherisheher Museum Center under the leadership of Sevil Mammadova.

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.

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 it 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. 

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 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 to introduce its own rich history, diverse culture and homeland Azerbaijan to all over the world.  

Ancient rock paintings have been discovered in Azerbaijan's newly-liberated Kalbajar region. Now the scientists are studying the identity of the found historical evidence to the ancient rock carvings in Gobustan.

More than twenty years of his life, the member of the Academic Council at the National Institute of Archeology and Ethnography Gudrat Ismayilzade has been studying rock paintings near Alagel, Zalhagol and Garagol lakes as well as in the areas of Perchinli, Ayichyngyly, Lyulpar in Kalbajar region.

Over these years, the archeological scientist has discovered about eight thousand rock paintings.

The rock carvings in Kalbajar reflect the worldview of the tribes related to everyday life, economic activities, as well as celestial bodies. The oldest of these images belongs to the 4th-3rd millennium BC.

After re-examination, rock carvings should be presented to the world community.

Notably, Kalbajar region is famous for its historical and cultural monuments.  

The list of Kalbajar's historical and cultural monuments of state importance include Khanabert fortress, Church of Saint Yagub,  Lev fortress, Albanian temples and much more. 

Rock art on a slope of Girmizi mountain, settlement of the Early and Middle Bronze Age in Istisu, Dovshanli necropolis,Baligaya necropolis and others are among the region`s archeological monuments. 

Armenian armed forces occupied Kalbajar in 1993. As a result, 511 people were killed in Kalbajar. 

Fifty-five soldiers were killed during the fights, while 132 settlements were captured by the Armenian Armed forces.

Armenian occupiers destroyed more than 500 industrial, construction, catering and retail facilities, 97 schools and 76 health facilities. About 53,340 Kalbajar residents became IDPs.

According to the trilateral statement, the Kalbajar region was returned to Azerbaijan on November 25, 2020.  

Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku has filmed a documentary timed to the 125th anniversary of the great Russian poet Sergei Yesenin.

The documentary directed by Rustam Huseynov highlights the poet's visit to Baku. 

The half-hour film tells about the circumstances that brought the poet to the City of Winds, relations with the authorities and colleagues, the poet`s creative activities and social life as well as his impressions and stories that happened in Baku. 

The documentary provides insight into the poet's first publications and the influence of Yesenin's personality and work on literary life in Azerbaijan.

The film tells about a number of little-known facts of the biography and work of the Russian poet.

Unique archival materials, rare photographs of Yesenin and his close friends, personal letters and documents, video chronicles were used during the filming process. 

Special attention in the film is paid to the places that the Russian poet visited in Baku.

Yesenin's first visit to Baku took place in August 1920. He arrived with his friends Anatoly Mariengof and Grigory Kolobov. In Baku, he finished the poem "Sorokoust". His second visit was in early September 1924, when the poet stayed in Baku for only a few days.

The most fruitful is considered the poet's spring visit to Baku which took place from March 31 to May 25 in 1925.  During this visit, the poet wrote his famous work "Persian motives".

The film is available on Youtube

Let Me Run ("İzn ver qaçım") shot film by Azerbaijani film director Elmar Bayramov has been recognized as the "Best Foreign Film" at the "Fighting Spirit Film" international festival held in London.

The film tells the life story of a physically challenged young man named Orkhan who despite all difficulties overcomes obstacles to achieve his goal.

The main role in the film is played by Tural Manafov. The film is produced by Konul Kangarli, Klara Brotons Mercadal, Alan Goldberg and Zeke Ramazan Geis.

Let Me Run has won a number of nominations at international film festivals in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.

The Azerbaijan State Translation Center has published selected works by Carlos Fuentes, a famous Mexican writer, in Azerbaijani language.

The book includes the novels “The Death of Artemio Cruz”, “Aura” and a short story “Chac Mool”.

The book was translated by Saday Budagly, and edited by Etimad Bashkechid and Salam Sarvan.

Carlos Fuentes was born in 1928, in Panama City, to a diplomat family. One of the leading figures of magic realism, his novels have been translated into 24 languages. His numerous literary honors include The National Prize for Arts and Sciences (1984), Miguel de Cervantes Prize (1987), Ruben Dario Prize (1994) and Pablo Picasso medal (1995).

Carlos Fuentes died in 2012 in Mexico.

The Azerbaijan State Art Gallery has launched a virtual project "Artinterview" aimed at promoting national artists.

Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, Honorary Academician of the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts Rashad Mehdiyev took part in the new project.

Rashad Mehdiyev shared his thoughts about the artist's role in society, creativity and other topics. 

Rashad Mehdiyev inherited his love for art from his father, a prominent artist Rafik Mehdiyev. He spent a lot of time watching his father's works.

Mehdiyev graduated from the Baku Art College and Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art. He also entered the Turkish University of Memar Sinan.

The artist has held more than 20 solo exhibitions abroad and participated in various international symposiums and festivals

He is the first Azerbaijani artist whose exhibition took place in the European Office of the UN in Vienna (2006).

In 2002, Mehdiyev won "Canaqqalanin gozyashlari" contest organized by TURKSOY in Turkey.

The artist's works are stored in private collections. His paintings have been successfully showcased in many European countries.

Now Rashad Mehdiyev shares his art secrets with young artists. He is currently a head teacher at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts and a doctor of philosophy in Art History.

Works of national artists have been exhibited in the Parisian gallery Beauté Du Matin Calme.

The exhibition, organized by Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Asmar Narimanbayova brought together talented artists from  Azerbaijan, Turkey and Italy. 

The exhibition included works by Nigar Familsoy, Tofig Aghayev-Narimanbayov,  Andrea Pozzi, Narmina Valiyeva, Ayla Insanova,  Luciano Kaggianello, Olga Palkovits, Roya Hasanova, Rena Amrakhova, Vefa Efendizade, Aysel Mirgasimova, Leyli Museibova, Jamala Rakhmanli, Zarifa Mirzoyeva, Sahib Asadli, Leyli Musayeva, Nurgul Aliyeva, Zahra Mammadzade, Fidan Samadzade, Zahra Ildirimzade, Ayla Aziz, Zahra Mammadova, Ayan Nabiyeva, Kamran Muzaffer Genjer, Leyla Aliyeva, Gulya Guliyeva and Valida Rustamova. 

Asmar Narimanbayova presented her work "Spirit of Shusha" at the opening ceremony. She painted this artwork during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. 

The artist was inspired by the bravery of Azerbaijani soldiers who fought for the liberation of the country's territories occupied by Armenia for nearly thirty years.  Colorful works of artists left no one indifferent. 

Notably, Asmar Narimanbayova previously curated an exhibition held at Bortone art gallery.

The exhibition displayed stunning paintings of 15 national artists Aysel Mirgasimova, Rena Amrahova, Leyla Aliyeva, Narmina Veliyeva, Nihad Aliyev, Tofig Narimanbayov, Sahib Asadli, Leyla Musayeva, Saida Kebirlinskaya, Nurjan Gurbanzadeh, Amina Hajili, Zahra Mammadzade and others.

The artists presented their art works in different art styles. The Parisian art gallery also exhibits art works by famous artists from Italy, Georgia and Turkey. The exhibition aroused great interest among art lovers.

Asmar Narimanbayova lives and works in two cities - Paris and her native Baku.

The artist grew up in the atmosphere of love to art, music and literature. Her father Togrul Narimanbayov was the world-famous Azerbaijani artist and her mother Elmira Huseynova was a sculptor.

Narimanbayova is distinguished by her bold and unique art works. 

The artist thrills art connoisseurs with her vibrant paintings in different styles, including impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and others.

Narimanbayova's works are displayed at prestigious exhibitions, international festivals and symposiums all over the world.

Azerbaijan Culture Ministry has revealed number of cultural facilities to be restored in liberated Lachin.

Some 73 historical-cultural monuments, 51 cultural houses, 75 libraries, 5 music schools, 2 museums, 1 gallery will be restored in the region.

"We return culture to our Lachin. We will restore", First Deputy Minister, Acting Minister of Anar Karimov wrote on Twitter.

Lachin was liberated by Azerbaijan on December 1 after 28 years of being under illegal Armenian occupation.

As a result of Armenian vandalism, hundreds of cultural institutions, including 927 libraries with 4.6 million books, 808 palaces of culture, clubs and other cultural institutions, 85 music and art schools were destroyed in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. 

Nearly 22 museums and museum branches, four art galleries, four theaters, two concert halls, eight parks of culture and recreation, were subjected to the Armenian vandalism. 

Over 700 historical and cultural monuments registered by the state before the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were looted, including the 11 and 15-span Khudaferin bridges in Jabrayil, Ganjasar and Khudavend sanctuaries in Kalbajar, the mausoleum in Aghdam's Khachin Turbetli village, Azykh cave in Fuzuli as well as Shusha state historical and architectural reserve.

Azerbaijani singer Narmin Kerimbekova has won first place at Voice of Turan music contest.

Representatives of 15 countries took part in the virtual music contest held in Kazakhstan.

The jury of the competition included well-known figures of culture and art of Kazakhstan - performers, composers, poets, producers, etc.

Narmin Kerimbekova presented Azerbaijan with the love song "Sevə-sevə", composed by Erbolat Dosbolatuli.

The author of the lyrics is Ilkin Huseynov and Narmin Kerimbekova. One of the conditions of the competition was the performance of songs composed by the authors from Kazakhstan. The author of the original text of Kerimbekova's song is Rinat Zaitov.

Narmin Kerimbekova became known to the wide audience during her participation in the "Voice Azerbaijan-2015" TV singing contest. 

The young performer reached the semifinals as part of the team of the project's mentor, People's artist Tunzala Aghayeva. Her  performances were remembered by the audience for a long time. 

Turkey`s traditional strategy game Mangala has been included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said on Twitter.

Mangala is a Turkish intelligence and strategy board game that is usually played by two persons or in groups.

The game which had been played especially in palaces, inns, and courtyards of mosques during the Ottoman period, is considered a tool for socialization and culture sharing, according to the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry.