NEWS

Azerbaijani designers are invited to the International Digital Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2021-22.

International Digital Fashion Week Competition is a great opportunity for students and emerging designers from all over the world to compete for prizes and a place on IDFW.

Judging for the competition starts on February 1st, 2021. There will be a panel of judges that consist of presidents of other fashion weeks, celebrities, press, major fashion journalists, and other prominent people in the fashion industry. Each contestant is to submit a one minute video that will be braodcasted on the FNL Network. The judges will review the videos broadcasted globally on FNL Network.There will be three sets of winners, 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place.

The deadline to have your submission in is January 15, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

(+994 55) 341-01-52 - Gulnara Khalilova (fashion designer, head of the Azerbaijani Center of Traditional Costumes)

E-mail: IDFW@rlgproductions.com

International Digital Fashion Week is a platform for designers from around the world to showcase their new season’s collections. IDFW is a groundbreaking platform that encompasses an array of original fashion content for a global audience. Esteemed designers are invited to participate in International Digital Fashion Week.

As a result of the pandemic, FNL Network CEO and Founder Rocco Leo Gagliotti donated the FNL Network for free on all platforms for all viewers to give viewers full access to FNL Network's myriad of entertainment.

FNL Network is the first and only TV network to create a digitally broadcasted global Fashion Week. IDFW will be accessible everywhere around the world, from the comfort of your couch to your daily commute.

FNL Network is the #1 global fashion lifestyle channel for all things on the cutting edge of lifestyle. Fashion News Lifestyle Network, founded in 2016, showcases a diverse range of entertainment to viewers around the world. The network blends a seamless combination of fashion, film, travel, beauty, health, and reality TV to create an incomparable viewer experience. The founder and CEO, Rocco Leo Gaglioti created this diverse platform in order to show users a new perspective on the world of fashion.

Young Azerbaijani vocalist Kamran Mammadov became the winner in the senior group "2020 International Music Festival" in Ukraine. The young singer thrilled listeners with his performance. 

International Music Festival is a vocal competition for children and youth, which expands the possibilities of creativity and promotes the development of cultural diplomacy. This year the festival was held virtually amid coronavirus pandemic.

The festival was co-organized by STUDIORAR with the support of the Association for the Development of International Relations (ADRUM).

The head of the jury is People's Artist of Ukraine, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, famous singer, public figure Ruslana Lyzhychko.

The jury includes Paule Plakhutnik, director of the FeNS International Festival in Slovenia; director of the International Festival in Montenegro "Zlatna pahulja" Beka Kuzhevich; the famous Montenegrin musician Momcilo Zekovic; Montenegrin television star Vladimir Fustich; director of Festivali Mbarekombetar i Kenges per Femije in Shkodra, Albania; famous conductor Kuzhtim Aliya and head of the Junior Eurovision selection in Albania Sokol Mars.

National History Museum will open its branch in Shusha. It is also planned to open the museum of the Khojaly Massacre to honor the memory of 613 Azerbaijani civilians killed by Armenian forces during the war in the early 1990s.

The plan for the museum was prepared by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) upon the action plan for scientific research in the country's  liberated territories.

In addition, Karabakh Geological Fund's museum will be created as part of the action plan which covers  2021-2035.

The action plan includes the preparation of infrastructure for organizing tourism in the area near Azykh Cave, the research on the "Red Book" of the liberated territories, proposals for the restoration of reserves and wildlife sanctuaries as well as the creation of the Botanical Garden and the  Karabakh Scientific Department of the Institute of Bioresources. 

The plan also reflects such issues as the study of the hydrofauna of the Sugovushan, Khudaferin and Gyz Galasy reservoirs, the Okhchuchay, Khakari and Bargushad rivers, documenting historical and cultural monuments, museums, exhibits and artifacts plundered and falsified by the Armenians, systematized demonstration of information about destroyed as well as actual analysis of archaeological and biological data. 

At the same time, it is planned to include in the UNESCO register "Memory of the World" stored at the Institute of Manuscripts named after Azerbaijani poet Mahammad Fuzuli of the "Flower notebook" manuscript of Khurshidbanu Natavan, restoration of the Karabakh branch of the National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature named after Khurshidbanu Natavan, which once functioned in Shusha, as well as the creation of the Karabakh Archaeological Center. 

On the night of February 26, 1992, Armenian armed forces, directly supported by the 366th regiment of the former USSR, stationed at that time in the town of Khankendi in Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan attacked, from five directions, the town of Khojaly.

Some 613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 of them remains unknown.

National musicians have released a patriotic music video to mark Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

The project brought together Jafar Hasanov (percussion and tar), İsmayıl Zulfuqarov (tar), Oqtay Sharifov (kamancha), Orkhan Soltanov (balaban), Zaur Rzayev (bass guitar), Farman Mehdiyev (keyboard).

The music video "Yurd" was recorded by İsmayıl Zulfuqarov and Toofan Promix Studio (mix and mastering) and Davud Qaduroghlu (filming).

The clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed after Armenia launched large-scale attacks on Azerbaijani forces and civilians on September 27. A total of 2,783 Azerbaijani soldiers were martyred in the Patriotic War.

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. 

The Victory Parade was held in Baku on December 10.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan also attended the Victory parade. 

The parade was attended by over 3,000 members of various types of troops. Up to 150 pieces of military equipment were demonstrated, including recently adopted military equipment, missile and artillery installations, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defense systems, warships, and boats. 

Some military equipment taken by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces as a trophy from the defeated Armenian Armed Forces was also demonstrated at the parade.

Azerbaijani traditional costumes are original and beautiful. Let's take a closer look at an elegant arkhalig (women's outerwear) and a skirt from the Carpet Museum's Shusha Branch collection.​

This set is made of expensive brocade, decorated with golden patterns in the shape of a buta, on a cotton lining.​

The main distinguishing feature of the Karabakh arkhaligs is a buta-shaped or oval neckline, a pleated basque, and sleeves, the shape of which was called nilufar, that is, a lotus: straight up to the elbows, and flared from the​ elbows. 

The arkhalig has a tight-fitting​shape with thin ribs vertically attached to its fiber.​

Azerbaijani women wore ankle-length skirts. They were made of a fabric called takhta, which consisted of 10-12 pieces.​

Traditional costumes are very vivid, comfortable, and beautifully crafted. The archeologists found out a bronze needle and an awl referred to the beginning of the bronze age during archeological excavations in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Silk clothes found in Mingachevir catacombs are referred to the 5th-6th centuries AD. All these findings prove that the ancient Azerbaijanis could sew for themselves.

In the 17th century, Azerbaijan was known as the country of the Middle East’s largest silk production country. The province of Shirvan was the largest sericulture region. Besides, Shamakhi, Basgal, Ganja, Sheki, Shusha regions were also famous for silk production.

Women's outfit

The traditional dress is all about delicate embroidery and bright colors, where red is the dominating one.

In the past, the bride used to wear a red wedding gown. In Baku, the bride wears a white dress with a beautiful red silk sash tied around her waist. For Azerbaijanis, red is a symbol of well-being and happiness.

Young girls used to wear bright dresses decorated with various golden patterns. Therefore, a bright color scheme is a distinctive feature of the national costume of Azerbaijani women.

The fabrics used in the traditional costumes include silk, flax, wool or cotton. The finishing of clothes could make the simplest outfit expensive and rich in appearance. With the use of laces, gold and silver threads, craftsmen created a real work of art. Coins were used from precious metals as ornaments that could be collected by whole generations.

The typical women's traditional dress of Azerbaijan consists of under and outer garments and clothes for the upper and lower body. Bag-shaped cover "veil" and shutter for the face "rubend" were the important parts of the costume, which women wore while going out. Women also wore a short jacket called arkhalig with long sleeves, fitting back and chest, with a wide opening in the front. 

Unmarried girls covered their heads with a cap like a skullcap, which was decorated with beads or silk. Married women tied several headscarves on their heads, such a dress was called "dinge". Women’s headwear kelagayi, a silk scarf protected them from both hot sun and cold wind.

Men's outfit

Men's costumes always represented the class affiliation of its owner. National clothes of men in the 19th century included underclothing and overcoats. The over shirts for men were of two kinds: with mid-cut collar and with side-cut collar. Both of them had small yoke. Shirts for men were generally made of satin.

Archalig was cut at the waist and tight to the body.Gaba was male humeral outerwear, which was sewed of tirme. Chukha, humeral outerwear, was detachable on the waist, with layers and gathers. It was sewed of cloth, tirme and homespun textile.

The fur coat Kurk was made of lamb fur, without a fastener. Its collar was decorated with embroidery. Papaq or hat was considered a symbol of fortitude, honor and dignity of men in Azerbaijan.

It was the most popular headdress for men which were usually stitched with lamb fur.

Despite in modern times Azerbaijanis do not wear the traditional clothes in their daily lives, national costumes inspired many fashion designers.

Postage stamps have been issued in Spain to honour the memory of Azerbaijan's great national composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli and eminent Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayev. Both left their mark in the Turkic culture. 

The initiative was carried out with the support of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Spain to mark the 135th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli and the 175th anniversary of the founder of modern Kazakh written literature Abay Kunanbayev. 

Postage stamps depicting Abay Kunanbayev and Uzeyir Hajibeyli, samples of their creative work, as well as cultural values and national musical instruments of the Turkic world were released throughout Spain. 

Notably, the decision on postage stamps was discussed as part of the meeting held between Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and Kazakh political scientists in November. 

As part of the celebration, the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Efendiyeva stressed that the Foundation will publish the book "Time and Thoughts" timed to the 80th anniversary of the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. 

The publication highlights the views of the former Kazakh president expressed by him at various conferences as well as articles and books published in different years.

Another book is dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the great Kazakh writer Abai Kunanbayev. The book is a valuable resource dedicated to the author's work. It will be published in Azerbaijani. The presentation of the books will also take place in Kazakhstan.

Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on preservation of the 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.

The 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 fulfil 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.

Soviet and Russian theater and film actor Valentin Gaft died on Saturday, 12 December, at the age of 85.

The death of the actor was announced by his wife Olga Ostroumova. “Yes, he’s gone. It happened today," she said, reports TASS.

According to Interfax, the cause of Valentin Gaft’s death was a stroke he had suffered earlier, from which the actor tried to recover for several years.

The death of the actor was also confirmed at the Moscow Sovremennik Theater. "Today our Valentin Iosifovich Gaft is gone ...", - written on the theater’s official Facebook page.

Valentin Gaft was born on 2 September 1935 in Moscow. Since 1969, he served in the troupe of the Sovremennik Theater, actively acted in films.

Baku Media Center has filmed a special video from the Victory Parade held in Baku on December 10.

The Victory Parade was timed to the victory of the Azerbaijani troops in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

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

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan also attended the Victory parade. 

The parade was attended by over 3,000 members of various types of troops. Up to 150 pieces of military equipment were demonstrated, including recently adopted military equipment, missile and artillery installations, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defense systems, warships, and boats. 

Some military equipment taken by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces as a trophy from the defeated Armenian Armed Forces was also demonstrated at the parade.

Special video footage dedicated to the historical victory of the victorious Azerbaijani troops is available on Baku Media Center's  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Notably, Baku Media Center has also presented some photo shoots made during the Victory Parade.

The Center also paid tribute to Patriotic War martyrs. Nearly 2,783 Azerbaijani servicemen lost their lives in the 44-day-war. Of them, 103 servicemen haven't been identified yet. More than a hundred servicemen are considered missing, while 1,245 are being treated in hospitals.

A music video was shot with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The music piece "Eternal Peak" (Vechnaya Vershina) is composed by Tural Mammadli. The song is performed by Honored Artist Aygun Baylar.

Baku Media Center is a leading and innovative media company engaged in the production of audiovisual products in Azerbaijan.

Since 2013, the company develops audio and video products based on the latest technologies by request of various organizations, cooperates with well-known broadcasting companies and conducts live broadcasting of large-scale international events and sports competitions held in the country.

The Regional Scientific Center will open in Shusha region as part of the action plan for research work in the country's liberated territories.

The action plan initiated by Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) also provides for the creation of the Department of Physics in Shusha Regional Scientific Center. 

It is also planned to provide scientific and personnel support, equipment, and premises for the creation of the Karabakh Regional Scientific Center and the Karabakh University.

Among the main tasks is the assessment of reliability indicators during the operation of the Sarsang reservoir, the installation of a seismic acoustic station near the Khudafarin bridges, the creation of an astronomical station in Karabakh, the provision of scientific and practical support for the development and implementation of the "Electronic Karabakh's concept". 

Moreover, the National Academy of Sciences will also consider proposals for the development of oil fields with reserves of 200 million tons of oil and 250 billion cubic meters of gas in the liberated territories, taking into account local features.

On November 8, in an address to the nation, President Ilham Aliyev announced that the Azerbaijani city of Shusha had been liberated from the occupation of Armenian forces.

Shusha, which was occupied by Armenian forces on May 8, 1992,  is known as one of the symbols of Azerbaijani history and culture. Many prominent Azerbaijani musicians and scholars were born here.

Postage stamps of two great figures of the Turkic world were issued in Spain with the support of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and with the organizational participation of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of Spain on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of Abay Kunanbayev - the great poet, writer, composer, public figure of Kazakhstan, the founder of modern Kazakh written literature, and the 135th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayov - the outstanding Azerbaijani composer, musicologist, publicist, playwright, teacher, author of the first Opera and operetta in the East, the founder of Azerbaijan's national school of music.

Postage stamps depicting Abay Kunanbayev and Uzeyir Hajibayov, samples of their creative work, as well as cultural values and national musical instruments of the Turkic world were released throughout Spain. The purpose of the stamps is to introduce great personalities of the Turkic world to a wider international audience.