NEWS

“Cholchu” (The Steppe Man), a movie by Azerbaijani filmmaker Shamil Aliyev, has been awarded in five categories at international film festival held in Brazil.

In a voting held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie won "Best Feature Film", "Best Director", "Best Cinematography", "Best Artist's Work" and "Best Costume Designer" nominations at Gralha International Monthly Film Awards 2020 in Brazil.

Cholchu also won “Best Director” award at the 7th Art Independent International Film Festival in India.

The Steppe Man tells a story of a young steppe man who lives in remoteness from the city, closely tied to nature. His father teaches him the subtleties of life in the steppe. Soon after his father's death the young man meets a girl from a city. Their meeting becomes a new page in his life, a step to a big life unfamiliar to him before.

The movie has been featured at nearly 30 international film festivals and forums, receiving a number of awards.

The 8th International Festival of Mstislav Rostropovich has opened its doors to music lovers. The opening ceremony took place in the city of Orenburg, Russia. 

The large-scale event features fascinating arias, duets and scenes from operas by Russian and foreign composers. The festival aroused great interest among the audience.

The Mstislav Rostropovich International Festival was initiared by the Mikhail Rostropovich Foundation for Cultural and Humanitarian Programs in 2010.

The festival brings together the cities that played a special role in the fate of Mstislav Rostropovich - Moscow, Baku and Orenburg.

Born in Baku, Mstislav Rostropovich was internationally recognized as a staunch advocate of human rights. He was awarded the 1974 Award of the International League of Human Rights.

Rostropovich was a huge influence on the younger generation of cellists. Many have openly acknowledged their debt to his example. In the Daily Telegraph, Julian Lloyd Webber called him "probably the greatest cellist of all time."

He inspired and premiered over 100 pieces and formed long-standing artistic partnerships with such prominent composers as Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutoslawski, Olivier Messiaen, Luciano Berio, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alfred Schnittke, Norbert Moret, Andreas Makris and Benjamin Britten.

A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has become one of the leading conductors of the West.

He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, who was named a People's Artist of the USSR in 1966. They performed together regularly.

2020 Humay National Prize laureates has been announced.

The director of the Old City Museum Center, Honored Cultural Worker Amina Melikova was nominated for her books "The heritage of the Shirvanshahs in the museums of the world" and "The Art of Kelaghai". 

Honored Artist Nargiz Aliyeva was nominated for the successful performance at international festivals and competitions of the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra. 

The list also includes Honored Artist Nigar Ibrahimova and Tahir Eynullayev for contribution to Azerbaijani choreographic art, Honored Artist Arzu Aliyeva and Aytan Maharramova forachievements in mugham art, editor-in-chief of "Mədəniyyət" (Culture) magazine Zohra Aliyeva and chief editor of  "World of Literature" newspaper Elmar Sheikhzade for promotion of Azerbaijani culture and characteristic style among periodicals,  writer, publicist Rafig Hajiyev for his book "Əhsən sənə, Əhsən!" and musicologist Ayla Kerimova-Zekeriyye for promotion of "Gənclərə dəstək" ("Support for Youth") project in Azerbaijan and abroad.

Humay is the first Azerbaijani national award initiated by the International Bakuvians Cultural Society for achievements in culture, art, sports, television, journalism, tourism and science.

The "Humay" award was established in 1993 by such cultural and public figures as Tofig Guliyev, Rafik Babayev, Hasanagha Turabov, Vasif Adigozalov, Anar Rzayev, Farhad Badalbeyli, Farhad Khalilov, Rasim Balayev, Shafiga Mammadova and many others who initiated the public academy for the award. 

The first award ceremony took place at the Gulistan Palace in March 1994. 

For the first few years, the Humay Prize was awarded only in the nominations "Music", "Cinema", "Theater", "Fine Arts" and "Literature". Subsequently, new nominations were added, such as "television", "architecture", "journalism", "sport", "tourism", "best music video", "book publishing", science, "art of national mugham" and "dance" , "Art of photography", "the best project in the Azerbaijani Internet." The prize was also awarded in the nomination "For contribution to the development of Azerbaijani culture, science, art, sports".

Young Azerbaijani cellist Jamal Aliyev has paid tribute to the martyrs of the 2020 Karabakh war.

The musician performed the music piece "Ayrılıq" (Separation) in memory of the 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.

The 44 days of war ended with the Russian brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.

For a short time, Jamal Aliyev has stunned listeners around the world with his incredible talent and virtuosity.

The musician has successfully performed at music festivals in Turkey, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, China and other countries.

In 2017, he gave solo debut performances at the BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Keith Lockhart, and at the Royal Festival Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins. He has been a regular performer on BBC Radio 3 since first appearing on “In Tune” and, in 2015, was one of the first BBC Introducing Classical Artists to be selected.

Becoming a musician was genetically pre-ordained for Jamal - both his parents are involved in music. Future cellist began his musical studies with his first teacher and beloved grandfather, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Gara Aliyev, who played a large role in developing Jamal’s musical skills. He trained dozens of supremely gifted musicians, laureates of various international competitions.

Jamal Aliyev displayed musical talent at a young age, already playing concerts at the age of 5. He won the prize at Trakya International competition at the age of 9 as well as Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition when he was only 11 years old.

Young cellist was invited to study at Moscow Conservatory Central Music School and Yehudi Menuhin School in London. When Jamal turned 14, he decided to choose London.

Afterwards Jamal Aliyev and Welsh musician Karl Jenkins began to perform much time together. Jenkins even composed a music piece for him. Jamal presented the work of the famous composer at Royal Albert Hall. It was his second performance at one of the world's most famous stages.

"The Steppe Man" (Cholchu), a film by Shamil Aliyev, has been named best at Gralha International Monthy Film Awards 2020.

The film won prizes in the categories "Best Feature Film" (Shamil Aliyev), "Best Director" (Shamil Aliyev), "Best Cinematography" (Rafig Guliyev) ,"Best Artist " (Rafig Nasirov) and "Best Costume Designer" (Aygun Aliyeva). 

The results of the competition were announced online in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

The film also won prize for the "Best Director's Work" at the Art Independent International Film Festival in India.

Directed by Shamil Aliyev, "The Steppe Man" tells a story of a young steppe man who lives in remoteness from the city, closely tied to nature. His father teaches him the subtleties of life in the steppe.

Soon after his father's death, the young man meets a girl from a city. Their meeting becomes a new page in his life, a step to a big life unfamiliar to him before.

The film was produced in 2012 at Azerbaijanfilm studio by the order of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"The Steppe Man" has been screened at more than 60 international film festivals, including Florence Film Awards 2019 (Italy), European Screen Awards 2019 (Indonesia), White Unicorn International Film Festival 2019 (WUIFF) and others.

The film also won in such nominations as "Best Director", "Best Screenplay", "Best Female Actor", "Creative Search".

"The Steppe Man" was selected as the Azerbaijani entry for the "Best Foreign Language Film" at the 86th Academy Awards (the Oscars).

The scriptwriter of the film is Vidadi Hasanov, cinematographer-Rafig Guliyev, art directors-Rafig Nasirov and Ibrahim Halil Aminov, composer-Rauf Aliyev, producers-Mushvig Hatamov and Azer Guliyev.

The Hungarian Embassy in Baku has awarded Azerbaijani photographer Aydin Sadikhov with the Hungarian Bronze Cross of Merit.

The resolution on the decoration was signed by Mr. Janos Ader, President of Hungary in recognition of Mr. Sadikhov’s role in strengthening the Hungarian-Azerbaijani cultural relations.

The Hungarian Bronze Cross of Merit was presented to the national photographer by the Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Viktor Szederkenyi. 

Since 2015, several exhibitions of Aydin Sadikhov have been held in Azerbaijan and across Europe.

In 2018, his photographs of his first trip to Hungary, compiled in an album titled "Hungary - through the eyes of an Azerbaijani photographer”, were presented at the Hungarian National Day reception in Baku.

In 2019, an exhibition of his photographs of Azerbaijan was presented at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest. 

Moreover, the Embassy presented a selection of Mr. Sadikhov’s photographs of Hungarian sculptures last year.

He also contributed to the implementation of several other Hungarian projects in Azerbaijan. 

Now, Aydin Sadikhov is organizing a new exhibition of his photographs called "Treasures of Hungary". 

Through these activities, the photographer brought the two countries even closer together.

Earlier, the Hungarian Embassy in Baku awarded chief conductor of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev and director of the Medeniyyet TV Ramil Gasimov with the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit.

The art figures were awarded for special services in the field of culture and contribution to Baku-Budapest ties under the relevant decrees by Hungarian President János Áderand and Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The Hungarian Embassy in Baku has awarded director of the Medeniyyet TV Ramil Gasimov with the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit.

The Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Viktor Szederkenyi presented the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit to Ramil Gasimov on December 3

The resolution on the decoration was signed by Mr. Janos Ader, President of Hungary in recognition of Mr. Gasimov’s outstanding role in the popularization of the Hungarian culture in Azerbaijan, strengthening the Hungarian-Azerbaijani cultural relations.

As Director of Medeniyyet TV, Ramil Gasimov played a major role in bringing the rich variety of Hungarian culture and traditions to the Azerbaijani public.

Since 2018 the Azerbaijani audience of the Medeniyyet TV had the opportunity to get acquainted with: the poems by one of greatest Hungarian poets, Miklós Radnóti; the Hungarian gastronomic culture; the Kerekes Band folk-rock ensemble; the Áron Tálas jazz trio; the Cantores Ecclesiae classical ensemble, folk singer Bori Magyar and cymbalist József Csurkulya. Not long ago Medeniyyet TV started a successful European Literature project. The Embassy’s Advent charity concert last year, which was a true joint Hungarian-Azerbaijani co-production with the participation of Hungarian pianist Tamás Érdi and the Akhundov Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater orchestra directed by Maestro Eyyub Guliyev, was broadcast live through Medeniyyet TV.

The Embassy of Hungary highly appreciates the work of Mr. Gasimov that helps bringing the two countries, nations and cultures even closer to each other.

Over the past years, Ramil Gasimov has successfully represented Azerbaijan in many countries including  Russia,  Georgia, Morocco, etc.

At the age of twenty, Ramil became a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Television.  He recorded more than 120 arias, romances and  ballads  with the State  Symphony Orchestra, the State Orchestra of Folk Instruments and others. 

Ramil  has been repeatedly awarded  with honorable titles and diplomas. In 2009, he was named  the Young Activist of the Year,  Most Fruitful Representative of Youth of the Year.

 Ramil Gasimov is currently the soloist of the Azerbaijan State Television. He is also a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Theater of Musical Comedy. 

President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Azerbaijan Christian Kamill.

During the meeting, President of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva spoke about the organization's activities, events, conferences and exhibitions organized to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of the Turkic-speaking peoples in the world, as well as further projects. Gunay Afandiyeva stressed the importance of bringing different civilizations closer together and the importance of establishing cooperation between the Foundation and other countries to promote cultural values.

Hailing the activities of the Foundation, Ambassador Christian Kamill noted that opportunities for further cooperation between the organization and the country he represents will be explored, and expressed confidence that these relations will lead to positive results in the future. Emphasizing the mutual cultural cooperation of Sweden with the member states and observers of the organization, the ambassador noted that through the Foundation, these relations will continue to expand.

Then the parties presented the published books to each other.

They also exchanged views on the prospects for joint cooperation in promoting cultural values.

Online streaming platform Netflix announced Thursday it will open an office in Istanbul by the second half of 2021, according to Anadolu Agency.

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey's culture and tourism minister, welcomed the move, as the film and TV industry has become a key tool in promotion and cultural diplomacy as well as economic contributions to the country.

"The fact that Turkish series and movies can be watched in 190 countries will help the development of the country's film tourism," said Ersoy.

Reed Hastings, the co-founder and co-CEO of Netflix, said the decision clearly shows the company's commitment to Turkey.

The move will contribute to Netflix production of more Turkish output which will be enjoyed all over the world, Hastings stressed.

"Turkey is very valuable to us with its rich culture and a deep-rooted tradition of telling stories. Therefore, we are proud to open an office in Istanbul, a magnificent city," he said.

Pelin Distas, Netflix’s director of original content for Turkey, said: "Our excitement to tell Turkey's fascinating stories gives us strength for our future investments."

The countries that watch Netflix's original and licensed Turkish productions the most include the US, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Brazil, France, India, Spain, Italy, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Chile.

In recent years, Turkish TV series have been seen as part of Turkey's "soft power" diplomacy, with series enjoying massive popularity worldwide, from Pakistan to South America.

Popular Turkish series on Netflix include The Gift, Bezhat C., and Bir Baskadir (Ethos).