President Ilham Aliyev attended inauguration of new building of Balakan City Children's Art School

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29.07.2020

29.07.2020 04:18

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new building of the 320-seat Balakan City Children's Art School.

The head of state was informed of the conditions created at the building.

NEWS

30.07.2020 13:38

President Ilham Aliyev attended inauguration of new building of Balakan City Children's Art SchoolPresident of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new building of the 320-seat Balakan City Children's Art School. The head of state was informed of the conditions created at the building. ..

27.07.2020 16:49

Film admission to Short Film Festival startsSubmission of films for the 11th Baku International Short Film Festival (BISFF), which will be held in Baku on November 13-17 this year, has begun. Established by the Center for Young Cinematographers ”CINEMA”, the festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Nizami Cinema Center, The Guild of Producers, “02 MEDIA” and OZ FILM company are among the supporters of the festival. This year, the festival remains committed to the principle of “35 years, 35 minutes.“ Directors under the age of 35 must submit the film that should not exceed 35 minutes to the festival by September 1. There are international, local and Cinemobil competition sections at the festival. Foreign and local directors can participate in the international competition with fiction, documentary and animated films. The festival's programs for local directors are rich. Along with fiction, documentary and animation, social videos also join the local competition. The Cinemobil competition, in which mobile phone films compete, is also intended for local authors. Unlike previous years, this year participants can submit a film to the competition which do not exceed 5 minutes. Each author can submit his film on the festival website (www.filmfestival.az) and on the platform www.filmfreeway.com. The films are reviewed by the Selection Committee and included in the competition program. The official program of the festival will be announced on October 20. Films competing for the key prize of the festival, the Golden Pomegranate, will be judged by a jury of local and foreign experts. Always trying to support local directors, the festival will have newness this year. The festival will provide technical and post-production support for the next film project to the winners of the local competition for “Best Short Film“ and “Best Documentary Short Film“. The winner of the “Best Animated Short Film“ nomination will be supported only by post-production works of the next film project. Founded in 2004, the Baku International Short Film Festival is the longest-running festival in Azerbaijan, bringing to the country films that have won awards and success at Cannes, Venice, Berlin Film Festivals and Oscar award. Each year, the most interesting of more than 1,500 films sent from around the world are selected and included in the program of the festival. In addition, for five days at this festival the audience will have a chance to watch new films of local directors, who try to show the events in a different way and in interesting styles. The Baku ISFF reflects the growing interest in short films, which are considered to be the foundations of cinema in Azerbaijan, also encourage and support young cinematographers. ..

16.06.2020 11:14

Great prizes are waiting for the winners of III ANIMAFILM festival! A new award for category “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film“ is established for the upcoming ANIMAFILM Festival in cooperation with the French Embassy in Azerbaijan, the French Institute in Azerbaijan (IFA) and with the support of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. This year's winner of the ANIMAFILM Festival will have a chance to attend in the 2021 Annecy Festival in France and receive professional MIFA accreditation. Return flight to France and accommodation in Annecy of the winner will be covered by IFA. ANIMAFILM Festival is also cooperating with Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan to present a new award for the winner of the category “Best Azerbaijani Screenplay for a Short Animated Film”. The winner will receive a valuable photo camera as a prize. The screenplay should be linked to one of the following themes: diversity, tolerance, multiculturalism, human rights, woman rights or climate change. Deadline for applications: 30.06.2020 For more information: www.animafilm.az III ANIMAFILM Festival will be held in two cities of Azerbaijan, Baku and Sheki, from 14 to 18 October 2020. This year festival will be dedicated to French animation. The Festival is supported by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture, Sheki City Executive Power, Azerbaijan Union of Film-makers, Embassy of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, French Institute in Azerbaijan, Nizami Cinema Center, Mujru Publishing, Barat Abdullayev and other partners and sponsors. ..

05.06.2020 10:52

Movie by Azerbaijani director to be featured at 2020 Semaine de la Critique in CannesAzerbaijani movie “Axşama doğru” (Towards Evening) by Teymur Hajiyev will be featured at the 59th edition of La Semaine de la Critique 2020 in Cannes, the date that`s rescheduled. Honouring its commitment, the parallel section of the Cannes festival nevertheless continues to shine a light on emerging talents in order to support filmmakers and the film industry. To address this unprecedented situation, La Semaine de la Critique kicks off a tailored-made support programme for the films that Charles Tesson – artistic director – and his selection committees chose to actively support over the next few months. Accordingly, 5 features and 10 short films will receive the “2020 Semaine de la Critique label”. La Semaine de la Critique will guide the selected features throughout their previews and their theatrical releases in France. The films in French will be presented during a “La Semaine de la Critique carte blanche” at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival, which will take place between August 28 and September 2, 2020. The ten short films of the non-competitive support programme will be screened online on Festival Scope Pro between October 19 and 25 to Industry professionnals and on Festival Scope between October 22 and 25 to the general audience. The 10 filmmakers of this year’s programme will be invited in December 2020 to take part in the Next Step workshop, whose purpose is to assist short film directors towards making feature films. Since its inception the workshop launched and led by Rémi Bonhomme has supported 55 filmmakers from 29 different countries. ..

03.06.2020 09:28

Azerbaijan`s “Steppe Man” wins 3 awards at international film festivals“Cholchu” (The Steppe Man), a movie by Azerbaijani filmmaker Shamil Aliyev, has been awarded in three categories at international film festivals held in Japan, Italy, Israel and the USA. In a voting held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film won “Best Feature Film”, “Best Director“ and “Best Cinematography“ nominations. 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. ..

15.05.2020 17:07

Azerbaijan to hold online presentations on International Museum DayInternational Museum Day is established at the initiative of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and held annually on May 18. The event highlights a specific theme that changes every year to promote cultural exchange and cooperation among peoples. This year's theme is “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”. Due to the current situation with the coronavirus threat, museums of Azerbaijan will celebrate International Museum Day online. Thus, under the “Virtual museum tour” project, famous public figures will become guides, taking the audience to a virtual tour around the museum's permanent exhibition, and talk about carpets and other samples of decorative and applied arts in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian. More, for the first time in Azerbaijani museum practice, the tour will be accompanied by sign language translation consistent with the motto “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”. Furthermore, this day, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the Russian Ethnographic Museum will organize the online conference and discuss ongoing work within the joint project “Treasures of Azerbaijan in the Russian Ethnographic Museum Collection”, both museums' virtual activity, and exchange their experience in this direction. On May 18, at 2 pm Baku time, for the first time, the National Museum of Art of Azerbaijan will present the exhibition of paintings by children with vision disabilities. These paintings were created by students of the Republican Special Boarding School No. 5 and the Rehabilitation Center during masterclass led by Georgi Guraspashvili, Professor at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts. The masterclass was a part of the international seminar “Art Without Border”. The virtual exhibition will be available on the museum’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. The Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture will present its collections to a wide audience in three languages: “Listen to What We Have”; “Fine Arts in the Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture”. The presentation will be adapted to people with disabilities. The audio and video anthology prepared by the museum will include posts about national and world musical instruments. The Museum Ensemble of Ancient Musical Instruments will give a festive concert to congratulate museum workers around the world. On International Museum Day, the YARAT Contemporary Art Center plans to implement an urban multimedia project where they present to the public exclusive artworks. Viewers will be able to get acquainted with museum collections and exhibition projects dedicated to various historical periods and topics. The artworks for the project will be presented by the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, the Museum of Azerbaijani Painting of the 20th-21st Centuries, the National Museum of Hungary, the National Museum of Latvia, and the YARAT Contemporary Art Center. The viewers will be able to observe the show from their windows and balconies without need to leave home. The National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan has developed an online project “One Touch - A Thousand Values”. As part of the project, on May 18 at 10:20 am, Sevinj Nasirova, Head of the Museum's Ethnographic Science Foundation, PhD in Arts will inform the public about the protection of cultural heritage and future joint activities of museums in the “Dikdaban” public television program. Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve has announced on social networks the media campaign “Be on the Rock of Gobustan!”. Those who want to join this campaign should send their photos taken in Gobustan to the reserve’s Facebook and Instagram pages. These photos will be used in the poster design in Gobustan. Furthermore, this day at 3 pm, the reserve will arrange a live meeting on Facebook with the ceramics artist Mir Teymur Mammadov. On May 18, the Icherisheher Museum Center will present a video promotion of “Inclusive Education Through Traditional Arts” about the first program of inclusive education for artistic and creative expression in the field of culture, implemented by the Museum Center of the Administration of Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve together with the European Union and the UN Development Programme. The Azerbaijan Independence Museum will conduct an online tour “Equality” for vulnerable groups within society on May 18 at noon on Zoom. The Azerbaijan State Museum of Theater after Jafar Jabbarli will join the celebration with the program “World Belongs to All of Us”, which includes a virtual exhibition of paintings by children with autism spectrum disorders from the Together and Healthy (Birgə və Sağlam) Public Union, as well as a live broadcast of a play “Blue Bird” of the inclusive theater “Əsa”. The virtual exhibition will be live on the museum’s Facebook page at noon, and the performance at 5 pm. The House Museum of Jafar Jabbarli will present the Morning Star photo exhibition, introducing visitors to unique historical exhibits stored in the museum, as well as photographs reflecting successful projects and interesting events implemented by the museum in different years. On May 5-18, the Khachmaz Museum of History and Local Lore holds an online painting contest “Mysterious and Magical World” among schoolchildren under the motto “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion” and “My Exhibit”. Students send their drawings of favorite museums or exhibits, as well as their photos to the museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Winners will receive diplomas and gifts. On May 18, at 11 am, the Masalli Museum of History and Local Lore will arrange on its Facebook account a virtual presentation “Past and Present of our Folklore” accompanied by the Halay folk music and dance ensemble. ..

07.05.2020 11:19

The beauties of KarabakhOne of the wonderful works of Qayyur Yunus, a traveler of truth, a devotee of traditions and history, a famous represantative of art, ensured with magic and mysteries, is an example of art called “The beauties of Karabakh“. The artist's interest and appeal to the Gajar style and oriental miniatures manifest in this artwork. The main part of the artist's work is female images. The image of 3 women is reflected in the scene surrounded by a natural landscape. The beauty and powerful combination of different shades of red and brown colors instills artistic power and energy in the composition. With small details of clothes; sineband, ornaments and chargat emphasis the tradition and antiquity. We are also provided with information about the life of the period with a description of a simple, square-planned and domed village house. This work, created in modern times, is one of the most beautiful examples in the “Gajar style“. ..

02.04.2020 12:06

Rare samples from our collections - Ceramics, Glass, Paper and WoodThe ceramic products allow us to gain insight into the economic life and various craft industries in ancient and Middle Ages Azerbaijan. The variety of their types, shapes, and colors, and the complexity of ornaments and narrative scenes, reflect not only the artistic tastes of the local people, but also their religious views, rituals, and mythology. Among the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum’s ceramic products of the Seljuk period, the ceramic fragments with narrative motifs spark interest. An example is a fragment of a dyed ceramic dish from the 12th – 13th centuries from Oren-Gala (Beylagan). Through the constructive and artistic features of this product, folk masters achieved a harmonious combination of content and form. There is a hunting scene featuring a young horseman wearing a characteristic aristocratic costume of the period: A green abe (a coat) and crown. The young man is accompanied by a tamed leopard, a loyal companion of hunters (Inv. No. 1718). Another polychrome glazed dish fragment, found during archaeological excavations in Beylagan, depicts a delightful scene of the ancient game chovgan (a horse polo). The ancient ceramist presents a young rider, sitting upon a horse and holding a chovgan-stick in his hand, against a green backdrop surrounded by plant elements. This dish fragment is a fine art masterpiece of that period and is one of the most outstanding objects in the museum (Inv. No. 1719). ..

18.03.2020 10:27

Khan Shushinski – Epitome of traditional Azerbaijani art of mughamAzerbaijan marks 41st death anniversary of Khan Shushinski who was one of the most famous Azerbaĳani mugham singers. Shushinski Khan (Isfandiyar Aslan oglu Javanshrov’s stage name) was born on August 20 in 1901 in Shusha. His father Aslan bey grandchild of Mahammad Javanshir who is from generation of Panahali khan, the founder and first ruler of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh khanate. Famous intellectuals of the Shusha would often gather in Aslan aga’s home and build meetings of poetry and music. Isfendiyar had grown up in the environment of music. Islam Abdullayev was his teacher. In 1918, he and his mugham teacher Islam Abdullayev attended a wedding ceremony in the village of Novruzlu (presently in the Aghdam district of Azerbaijan), where the guests were listening to a gramophone record of the Iranian singer Abul Hasan Khan performing the Kurd Shahnaz variety of mugham. After the song, young Isfandiyar was emphatically asked to resing that song live. Despite the complicated nature of Kurd Shahnaz his performance impressed the guests to the point of them comparing Isfandiyar to Abul Hasan Khan and saying: “Now, here is the real Khan. Shushinski made his first appearance in Baku in 1923, at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall. Khan Shushinski also highly represented Azerbaijani music abroad. In 1943, he was awarded with the title of people’s artist and later with different honor awards. The 70th birth anniversary of Khan Shushinski was held at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall in 1971. Khan Shushinski died on March 18 in 1979 in Baku. He was one of the well-known khanendes (singers) and popular artists of Azerbaijan. ..

12.03.2020 09:03

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visits Carpet MuseumPresident of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on an official visit in Azerbaijan, has today visited the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. The Turkmen President was informed of the museum. In 2010, Azerbaijan's traditional art of carpet weaving was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The carpet museum, where unique samples of applied arts are exhibited, has been located in different places throughout its history. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNESCO provided assistance in the construction of the new building. The building design is reminiscent of a rolled up carpet. The museum now houses exhibits and items, including carpets, thread-work samples, metalwork, fabrics, clothing, ceramic, glass, wooden and paper items, jewelry, books, and a unique collection of photographs. The exhibits are conserved on the basis of recommendations and instructions of Louis Sguirer, a renowned specialist in fabric conservation at the Victoria and Albert Museum who was invited to Baku in 2013. Designed by acclaimed Austrian architect Franz Janz, the museum highlights all areas of the Azerbaijani carpet making school and features a wide assortment of centuries-old carpets and thread-work samples. The Turkmen President viewed the museum’s Jewelry Fund which includes women’s and men’s jewelry belonging to the late 19th - early 20th century, as well as some created in the Bronze Age. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov donated Turkmen carpet to the museum. The Turkmen President was presented with a keepsake. ..

11.03.2020 15:22

Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan signed bilateral documentsA ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan documents has been held with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. ..

04.03.2020 16:22

President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated Azerbaijan State Museum of Ashug Art in Tovuz districtAs part of his visit to Tovuz district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Azerbaijan State Museum of Ashug Art. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum. President Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the museum. ..

04.03.2020 16:21

President Ilham Aliyev opened Museum of History and Local Lore in Tovuz districtPresident of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Museum of History and Local Lore in Tovuz district. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum. President Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created at the museum. ..

29.02.2020 19:23

Famous Belarus conductor to appear on Baku stageAzerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater will stage Giuseppe Verdi`s opera “Aida“ that will be conducted by chief conductor at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Odessa, People`s Artist of Belarus Vyacheslav Volich. The theater invited the leading soloists from Russia and Ukraine. The role of Aida will be performed by the Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Afag Abbasova. The leading soloist of Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theater Nikolay Erokhin will play the role of Ramzes. ..

21.02.2020 10:01

Azerbaijan's cultural routes to be discussedBaku will host a national conference on the potential of Azerbaijan's cultural routes on February 28-29. The event organized by the Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture will be attended the Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes Stefano Dominioni, heads of cultural institutions and other officials. Azerbaijan joined the Cultural Routes programme in 2011. The country is now represented in 5 cultural routes as part of the project. Azerbaijan also joined the International Cultural Route ”Wine Road“ in 2011, to the European Cultural Route for Jewish Heritage in 2015, while in 2016 Azerbaijan entered to the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns and in 2019 to the Eruopean Council's Routes of Olive Tree. ..

21.02.2020 09:06

Azerbaijan, Italy exchanged documentsFollowing the expanded meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Giuseppe Conte, a ceremony to exchange the Azerbaijan-Italy documents has been held. ..

20.02.2020 16:32

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Italian President Sergio Mattarella held expanded meetingFollowing the one-on-one meeting, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella have been joined by their delegations for a meeting in an expanded format. Welcoming President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said: - Mr. President, welcome to Rome. I am very pleased with your visit. I express my gratitude to you for the hospitality you showed me in Baku two years ago. Your current visit is also a great opportunity to once again note the sincere friendship and the strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, as well as to evaluate the policies pursued by you and your government in relation to Italian-Azerbaijani ties, cooperation between our countries in all directions - energy, trade, economic, political and cultural spheres. Mr. President, you are welcome again! Thank you, Mr. President! We are very pleased with your state visit to Italy. Х Х Х President Ilham Aliyev said: - Thank you, dear Mr. President. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the invitation to visit Italy on a state visit and for the hospitality extended to us. I am very delighted to be visiting your beautiful country again. I recall with pleasure your historic visit to Azerbaijan. The agreements reached during the visit are already reflected in life, and today Italian-Azerbaijani relations are rising to a new level. The interaction between our companies in practically all areas – political, economic, energy, cultural, transport, communications – is reaching a new level. The numerous documents that will be signed during the visit will further strengthen our ties. Among them, I would like to specifically note the Joint Declaration on Strengthening Strategic Partnership. There are excellent results in the energy sector. The Southern Gas Corridor, which we are implementing jointly, is in the final stages of completion. Our main desire in the future is that the relations between Italy and Azerbaijan in the non-oil sector develop even faster. Tomorrow's business forum, I am sure, will be a very important step in this direction. Let me once again express my gratitude for the hospitality and for the invitation. I am sure that the results of the visit will be very positive. Х Х Х During the meeting, the sides stressed the importance of the “Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multidimensional Strategic Partnership”. It was noted that this document covers all areas, including political, economic, trade and energy. The parties also underlined that Italy had always been a friend of Azerbaijan. It was noted that Azerbaijan is located in a very important region and is building very good ties with all countries. The sides once again emphasized the position of Azerbaijan on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and pointed to the need for resolving this conflict within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in accordance with the norms and principles of international law and the Helsinki Final Act. During the meeting, the parties hailed the role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in developing cultural ties between the two countries. It was noted that Italy declared 2020 as the Year of Azerbaijani Culture. ..

20.02.2020 10:44

Young Azerbaijani pianist awarded Grand Prix of International Chopin Competition 2020Young Azerbaijani pianist Leyla Zeynalova has been awarded with the Grand Prix of the 13th International Frederick Chopin Competition 2020 held in Narva, Estonia. 41 young musicians from all over Europe and Asia were admitted to take part in the competition, in three different age groups. Leyla Zeynalova participated in the competition on her own initiative. She performed 25 and 30 minutes with a solo program in the first and second rounds and, finally, with an orchestra. A presidential scholarship holder, Leyla is a second-year student at the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibayli. She has won a number of international competitions, including in Azerbaijan, Germany, England, Estonia, Belgium and Denmark. The history of the International Chopin Competition dates back to 1997 when the ambassador of Poland in Estonia Mr Jakub Wolasiewicz took the initiative to organize in Narva the first piano competition dedicated to the works of the great Polish composer Frederick Chopin for student of music schools. ..

20.02.2020 08:53

President Ilham Aliyev visited monument to great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi in Rome President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited a monument to great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi in Villa Borghese park in Rome. President Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva put flowers at the monument. The monument was erected under the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On celebration of the 870th anniversary of great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi” dated December 23, 2011. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the monument was unveiled in April, 2012 as part of a series of events marking the anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi. ..

18.02.2020 17:18

Azercell supports development of Azerbaijan film industry“Azercell Telecom” LLC is the main partner of the Booktrailer Film Festival, traditionally held on April 23 - International Book Day to promote reading culture and the development of cinematography. As an active participant in projects and social initiatives supporting talented and creative young people, Azercell announces the “Best Mobile Booktrailer” nomination within the festival. A specially convened jury of the company will evaluate the booktrailers on any work of Azerbaijani authors recorded via mobile phone. The winner will receive an award of 1000 AZN from Azercell. Please note that the Booktrailer Film Festival has been contributing to identifying new faces in the film industry for already four years. The festival was organized by actor and producer Ruslan Sabirly with the organizational support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Mugham Center. “Promote a book, get promoted with a book!“ is a slogan of the project. It plays an invaluable role in the preservation of historic and national cultural heritage, as well as the international recognition of Azerbaijani literature. Regardless of age, anyone can register on the official website of the festival (www.booktrailer.az) and enroll in the competition. The winners of the 5th Booktrailer Film Festival will be awarded a cash prize of 1000 AZN for the first place; 800 AZN for the second place and 500 AZN for the third place. Applications for the festival were called open as of February 2. The deadline for Booktrailers’ submission is April 1, 2020. For more information regarding the festival please visit the official website www.booktrailer.az or the official social media pages: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BooktrailerFest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooktrailerFest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BooktrailerFest If you have additional questions or queries, please reach out via the following email: festival2020@booktrailer.az For more information, please contact news@mcs.az. ..

10.02.2020 14:52

Heydar Aliyev Center hosts concert by Strauss Festival Orchestra ViennaThe Strauss Festival Orchestra Vienna has given a concert at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. The concert featured outstanding pieces by Johann Strauss as well as other Viennese classical composers. Since the year of its foundation in 1978 the Strauss Festival Orchestra Vienna, with its highly acclaimed performances in the great concert halls of the world has established itself as a top-class ensemble for the authentic interpretation of Viennese music. A recognized conductor and virtuoso violinist Peter Gut is the Orchestra's founder and artistic director. The Orchestra performed its first concert program in Baku in 2014. ..

29.01.2020 10:04

Moscow to host 11th International Mstislav Rostropovich FestivalMoscow will host the 11th International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival from March 27-31. The concerts will take place in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The concerts will bring together the greatest music bands and ensembles from Russia and Europe. The five-day festival will culminate with a performance of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liege. Artistic director of the festival is Olga Rostropovich. ..

25.01.2020 12:33

Prime Minister Ali Asadov meets with First Deputy Director General of Russian TASS news agencyPrime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has met with First Deputy Director General of Russian TASS news agency Mikhail Gusman. Prime Minister Ali Asadov congratulated Mikhail Gusman on his birth anniversary and on his being awarded “Sharaf” Order by President Ilham Aliyev. The expansion of economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Russia was hailed at the meeting. The success of the “Baku-Moscow: Dialogue of Cultures“ conference was highlighted, and the sides stressed its positive contribution to relations between the two nations. ..

25.01.2020 11:06

“They are beloved in Baku and Moscow” photo exhibition opens at Heydar Aliyev Center “They are beloved in Baku and Moscow” photo exhibition has launched at the Heydar Aliyev Center, featuring more than 60 works by photographers of Russian TASS and Azerbaijan State News Agency. AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov and Director General of TASS Sergey Mikhaylov addressed the opening ceremony. The event started with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The exhibition features photos of state leaders, politicians, public figures, scholars, actors, musicians and sportsmen of the two countries. Among them are photos of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also on display are photos of composers Gara Garayev and Fikrat Amirov, USSR People’s artist Tahir Salahov, USSR People’s Artist Muslim Magomayev, Azerbaijani People’s Artist Polad Bulbuloglu, and prominent oilman Farman Salmanov. ..

24.01.2020 11:21

Jazz Diva Dianne Reeves to perform at Heydar Aliyev CenterPre-eminent jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves will give a concert at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku on March 29. Dianne Reeves is one of the most impressive singers on a jazz stage since early 80s. She is the first woman to receive the Jazz Legends Award. Five times nominated for the prestigious Grammy award, she was the first vocalist that signed the contract with legendary Blue Note label. She got Grammy for her albums “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “Beautiful Life”. She receives honorary doctorate from the Julliard School in NY. Dianne Reeves was born into a musical family. Her father sang, her mother played the trumpet, her uncle is bassist Charles Burrell, and her cousin is George Duke. In 1971, she started singing and playing the piano. She studied classical voice at the University of Colorado for a time, then moved to Los Angeles, where she sang with Stanley Turrentine and Lenny White. She became a member of the jazz-fusion group Caldera, then founded another fusion group, Night Flight, with Billy Childs, with whom she would collaborate again in the 1990s. She moved to New York City and from 1983 to 1986, toured with Harry Belafonte. In the late 1980s, she had major success with a crossover song called “Better Days”, oftentimes referred to as “The Grandma Song”, because she pays homage to her grandmother in that song. In 2005, she featured in the George Clooney film Good Night, And Good Luck singing 1950s standards. In 2006, the album featuring the soundtrack won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. ..

22.01.2020 11:33

Baku to host “Baku-Moscow: dialogue of cultures” conferenceA conference titled “Baku-Moscow: dialogue of cultures” will be held in Baku with the support of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Culture, the Government of Moscow and TASS News Agency. The event will bring together the two countries` government officials, ministers, well-known businessmen, workers of culture, education and science and media representatives. The aim of the conference is to strengthen relations and develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia. The conference will feature a roundtable on “Dialogue of cultures - the basis of the dialogue of nations”, a photo exhibition of the prominent persons of Azerbaijan living in Russia and vice versa, co-organized by TASS News Agency and Azerbaijan State News Agency, presentation of the books “Formula of the power” and “Formula of the life” by First Deputy Director General of TASS News Agency, Russia`s honored journalist Mikhail Gusman and other cultural events. ..

17.01.2020 10:18

Heydar Aliyev Center to host concert of Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra and pianist Lucas DebargueKremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra and famous French pianist Lucas Debargue will perform at a concert in the Heydar Aliyev Center on March 14. The concert will feature outstanding pieces by Franz Liszt, Krzysztof Penderecki, Mieczyslaw Weinberg and Milosz Magin. In 1997, Austria`s legendary Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival was witness to a small revolution when, beside many distinguished musicians, the violinist Gidon Kremer presented a brand new orchestra: Kremerata Baltica, comprising 23 young players from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. From their very first concert, the Kremerata Baltica conquered the discerning audience, injecting new blood into the Festival with their exuberance, energy and joy in playing. The talented group of musicians developed in a few years into one of the best international chamber orchestras in the world and has cemented its international reputation in major concert venues around the world. Kremerata Baltica has played in the last 13 years in more than 50 countries, performing in 600 cities and given around 1,000 concerts in Japan, Australia, the USA, Latin America, Russia and all around Europe. It has released more than 20 CD’s and has won the Grammy Award in 2002, the ECHO prize in 2002 and the Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2009. Lucas Debargue was discovered through his performances at the 15th International Tchaikovsky Competition held in Moscow in year 2015. Although placing only fourth in the final round, he was the only musician across all disciplines who was awarded with the coveted Moscow Music Critic’s Prize as a pianist who’s “incredible gift, artistic vision, and creative freedom have impressed the critics as well as the audience”. Straight after this incredible breakthrough Lucas Debargue was invited to play solo and with leading orchestras in the most prestigious concert halls of the world. ..

14.01.2020 12:05

Azerbaijan's talented violinist awarded in TurkeyAzerbaijan's talented violinist Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev has been awarded in Turkey. The musician received Aydın Gun Teshvik Award. The prize was established in 2012 by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Art with the aim of supporting art and cultural fields and promoting creativity in young talents. The award will be presented to Elvin Goja Ganiev at the 48th Istanbul International Music Festival, a cultural event held every June and July in Istanbul. The festival offers a selection of European classical music, ballet, opera and traditional music performances with the participation of famous artists from all over the world. Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev has successfully participated in many competitions and festivals. His name is included in the Golden Book of Azerbaijan's young talents. The musician was awarded with the title of Honoured Artist for his merits in the development of Azerbaijani culture. ..

13.01.2020 17:25

Polad Bulbuloglu’s birthday to be celebratedWorld-famous musician and public figure, Azerbaijan’s current ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu turns 75 on February 4, 2020. Events commemorating the 75th anniversary of Polad Bulbuloglu will be held in Beylagan Olympic Sport Complex on February 4 and Heydar Aliyev Palace on February 7. The Hajibeyov Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, the ballet troupe of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, pop ensemble and soloists will perform songs by Polad Bulbuloglu. Polad is the only Azerbaijani musician who was honored as a star in “Stars Square“ in Moscow in 2000. ..

02.01.2020 12:16

Country's most visited museum namedAzerbaijan's National Carpet Museum has been named the country's most visited museum. 2019 was marked by many important events for the National Carpet Museum. First of all, this cultural center broke its own record for the number of visitors, bringing their number to 122,143 last year, Trend Life reported. In 2019, the Carpet Museum started operating as the country's first inclusive museum accessible for all to visit. Thus, people with disabilities can visit the museum and get acquainted with the exposition. It should be noted that statements about the museum’s inclusive programs were submitted to such prestigious international museum organizations as ICOM and NEMO. The museum's successful experience was highly appreciated by international experts and organizations such as ICOM Canada, ICOM International Committee for Museum Management (INTERCOM),NEMO and CAMOC. In addition, several amendments were made concerning Azerbaijani exhibits at the Russian State Museum of Oriental Art. In particular, in the information about the carpets, the place of their production was indicated Azerbaijan. A catalog of Azerbaijani carpets at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art in Istanbul was also published. In 2019, the museum's collection was enriched with six new exhibits. Among them are two female jewelry of the Qajar era, purchased from Sotheby's Auction House. U.S. citizens Dumas Jones and Jay Jones presented the museum with a 19th-century Gonagkend rug, while the State Customs Committee donated six valuable carpets. Notably, these carpets were confiscated during an attempt to smuggle abroad. All of these exhibits will be presented to the public next year. The exhibitions held by the museum last contributed to the country`s cultural life. The museum itself hosted ten exhibitions and three more were organized in Russia, China and France. Especially worth noting is the exhibition “Azerbaijan Heritage in Louvre Museum“ - the first joint project of two museums. As part of the exhibition, the Carpet Museum displayed three unique Azerbaijani carpets included into the Louvre's permanent collection. In 2019, the museum continued to expand international relations with foreign partners. Memoranda of understanding were signed with the Ichan-Kala State Museum-Reserve, Bukhara State Art-Architectural Museum-Reserve, Ankara University, Tabriz University of Islamic Art, etc. Last year was also notable for the fact that the museum’s activity was highly appreciated by the state - it received national status. In addition, the museum received the“ Quality Certificate of 2019“ from TripAdvisor, for the third year in a row. The National Carpet Museum is proud of its efforts to preserve and promote the national heritage and will continue to work with great returns in the future. ..

27.12.2019 09:01

Poetry night held at Baku branch of Sechenov UniversityA poetry night has been held at the Baku branch of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University on the initiative of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva. Addressing the event, Rector of the Baku branch of the University, professor Aziz Aliyev thanked Leyla Aliyeva for her valuable contribution to increasing students’ interest in poetry. In her remarks, Leyla Aliyeva emphasized the important role of physicians. The students of the Baku branch of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University then recited poems by Leyla Aliyeva, and their own poems as well. Leyla Aliyeva presented her books to the students and posed for photographs together with the event participants. ..

18.12.2019 09:28

Azerbaijan elected vice-president of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural HeritageThe 14th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was held in Bogota, Colombia, has elected Azerbaijan as vice-president of the Committee. China, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Djibouti were also elected. The Committee also inscribed five elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 35 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For the first time, the Intergovernmental Committee removed one element from the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Committee decided to hold its 15th session in Kingston under the chair of Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange. ..

16.12.2019 09:26

Heydar Aliyev Center hosts “Zima 2019” International Children FestivalCo-organized by Beat Group and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, a gala concert of “Zima2019” International Children Festival has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Center. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event. Prior to the concert, the participants walked the red carpet. The hosts of the evening were Rufat Mammadov and Suel Heybatova. The organizing committee selected 20 best young singers out of 110 applicants. The festival aims to reveal creative potential of talented children and adolescents and carries great importance in terms of collecting experience among professionals. The performances of young talents aroused great interest among the audience. Representatives from Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, France and the UK also performed at the Festival. The participants received the diplomas and keepsakes. ..

10.12.2019 11:05

Baku hosts "Journey to the Carpetland" Festival The two-day festival of joy, fun and excitement, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the children's department of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, has come to the end. Opening the festival, director of the Museum, Honored Worker of Culture Shirin Malikova noted that the museum's kids department was the first in the country. “Our goal is to get our children closer to our national values, heritage and culture“ she added. Melikova also stressed that the museum has turned into a favorite place to relax among youth. A number of young visitors is also growing every year. More than three hundred kids, including the dance group of the Center for Children and Youth Development N 3, Nur Kids Choir Studio actors of the Chichyayim Kids Theater, Azeri Ingilari dance group attended the festival. During the event, an employee of the Egyptian Embassy in Azerbaijan, Kamala Iskandarova read to children the mysterious Egyptian tales. The little guests also took part in master classes on souvenir rugs, soft toys, New Year's cards and etc. The event also featured performances of “The Tale of Malikmamed“, “Shangyulum, Shungyulum, Mangyulum“ and “Carpet Dispute“. In addition, on the second day of the festival, participants experienced a spectacular carnival. The event continued with the performance of the kids dance collective of the Baku Center for Russian Culture, with the selection of the best costumes in the nominations for Miss Carnival and Mr. Carnival. At the festival was also organized a charity sales fair. The proceeds from the sales fair will be spent on the treatment of children suffering from the disease. The festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. ..

04.12.2019 08:59

Yugh Theater celebrates its 30th anniversaryAzerbaijan’s Yugh Theater has celebrated its 30th anniversary also marked the 70th anniversary of the theater's founder, Honored Artist Vagif Ibrahimoglu. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Culture Abulfas Garayev said that Yugh Theater was founded on October 18, 1989 by Vagif Ibrahimoglu and Hasanaga Turabov at the State National Drama Theater. The Minister noted that, the theater quickly evolved into a large audience. Art director and director of the State Academic National Drama Theater Azerpasha Hematov said that the first performance of the theater was “Salam“ by M. Shahriyar's poem “Salam to Heydarbaba.“ The event also featured pieces from various theater performances. ..

27.11.2019 09:01

Carpet museum hosts exhibition "Kelagayi: silk wings"On November 26, the National Carpet Museum of Azerbaijan has opened an exhibition called “Kelagayi: silk wings“. The exhibition is dedicated to the inclusion of the Traditional Art and Symbolism of Kelagayi into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on November 26, 2014. Speaking at the event, the museum's director, Chairman of the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee Shirin Melikova noted that the concept of the exhibition is based on a synthesis of the traditional and modern approaches to the art of silk painting. The collection also includes the work of Inna Kostina. Kostina’s purple kelagayi with a beautiful golden ornament was created in 2003 at the creative forum in Baskal. Attending the event the member of the Azerbaijan Union of Artists Jalil Tariverdiyev, head of the sector of fine and decorative art at the Ministry of Culture Galib Gasimov, professor of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, honored worker of culture Mammadhuseyn Huseynov praised the artist's creative work. ..

21.11.2019 15:45

Baku Book Center to host presentation of the book dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Azerbaijan National Carpet MuseumThe presentation of the book dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum will be held at the Baku Book Center on November 22, at 19:00. They will provide detailed information on the book’s each chapter. Afterward, Nargiz Karimova and Farid Aliyev, soloists of the Azerbaijan State Musical Comedy Theatre will perform arias from the opera Arshin Mal Alan. During the presentation, the guests will be asked interesting questions and those who know the correct answer will be awarded different prizes. Furthermore, the Museum will present its publications and handicrafts by weavers of the Traditional Technology Department, conduct various masterclasses including on flat woven zili technique, as well as invite to take part in the carpet cutting ceremony. ..

18.11.2019 15:24

Azerbaijan, ISESCO discuss prospects for cooperationAzerbaijan`s Minister of Culture Abulfas Garayev has met with new Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik on the sidelines of the 40th session of UNESCO General Conference in Paris to discuss the current state and prospects for cooperation between the country and the organization. Abulfas Garayev congratulated Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik on his appointment as ISESCO Director General. The minister briefed the ISESCO Director General on the development of Azerbaijan-ISESCO relations over the past period. He emphasized the outstanding contributions of President Ilham Aliyev and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to the development of this cooperation. The minister also highlighted numerous international projects jointly implemented by Azerbaijan and ISESCO. Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik hailed the role of Azerbaijan’s leadership in developing relations between the country and the organization. He also pointed to the reforms and a number of projects carried out at ISESCO. Minister Abulfas Garayev invited ISESCO Director General Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik to visit Azerbaijan, which he accepted with great pleasure. ..

14.11.2019 09:15

Azerbaijani movie receives best film award at VII CIS Young Cinema Forum in Bishkek“Chairs”, a movie by young Azerbaijani filmmaker Orhan Aghazade, has received the International Best film award at the UMUT (Hope) VII Forum of Young Cinema of the CIS countries held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The forum marked the 80th anniversary of Kyrgyz actor Suimenkul Chokmorov. The National Best film award went to the “Ayana”, a movie directed by Kyrgyz Aidana Topchubayeva. ..

13.11.2019 16:52

President Ilham Aliyev received delegation led by head of Iran’s Culture and Islamic Communications organizationPresident of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Head of Culture and Islamic Communications organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abuzar Ebrahimi Turkaman. ..

13.11.2019 09:03

Baku to host the conference Museums, Textile Collections and Perspectives of Mutual CooperationThe Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and the CIS Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation will hold the conference Museums, Textile Collections and Perspectives of Mutual Cooperation on the dates November 14-17. The conference is timed to Latif Karimov’s birthday, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum’s founder, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, the unsurpassed carpet-making master, and the date of inclusion of the Azerbaijani Traditional Carpet Art within the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Dr. Shirin Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is the conference curator. Thirty-nine experts from Azerbaijan, Turkey, UK, Germany, Russia, Italy, Georgia, Albania, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Argentina, and Thailand will take part in the conference. The academic sessions will cover such topics as Textile Museums in Digital World, Textile Collections, Project Management, Curatorial Work and Presentation, Specifics of Conservation in Textile Museums, and Audience Development. The conference schedule includes two full days of academic sessions, presentation of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum book dedicated to its 50th anniversary, the opening ceremony of the exhibition Silk Stories, the fashion show, masterclasses, and the cultural program. It should be noted that the Silk Stories exhibition, dedicated to Uzbek silk weaving technology, will present all stages of ikat production. Ancient ikat, traditional costumes, suzanne, types of interior embroidery, pile carpets constitute a significant part of the exhibition. At the same time, a collection of silk and cotton dolls, replicas of the Russian Museum of Ethnography exhibits will be showcased here. The exhibition will include a short film about ikat production in Uzbekistan and its use in fashion. The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum in the cooperation with the Embassy of Latvia to the Republic of Azerbaijan will host a fashion show Frozen Dreams of the Latvian designer Evita Smanuhina, LLmood concept costumes of linen and wool. Furthermore, on the third day of the conference, the Carpet Museum staff will organize masterclasses on Carpet Weaving Technology, Production of Carpet Sketches and Their Specifics, and Production of Cheten. ..

09.11.2019 11:20

Film about Nasimi to be screened in Estonia“Nasimi“, an Azerbaijani movie, starring honored artist Rasim Balayev, will be shown in Tallinn, Estonia, on November 27. The movie, with free entrance, will be screened in Azerbaijani, with English subtitles. The screening will be held as part of the Year of Nasimi. ..