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“Azerbaijan: A Land of Traditions and Future" opens in Cannes

11 July 2014 15:46 (UTC+04:00)
“Azerbaijan: A Land of Traditions and Future" opens in Cannes

By Nigar Orujova

An exhibition called "Azerbaijan: A Land of Traditions and Future" kicked off in the French city of Cannes on July 10.

The exhibition is organized as part of a cultural event called Days of Azerbaijani Culture being held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the French city on July 8-31.

Azerbaijan's First Lady and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

Claire-Anne Reix, the Director of the Festivals and Congress Palace of Cannes - where the event is taking place", said this was the second time Azerbaijan was presented in Cannes. He also valued the event as a significant one in the city's life.

Reix added tourists coming to the city showed much interest in these events.

The first lady also addressed the ceremony. She praised Azerbaijan-France cooperation, saying it covered many areas.

"Cooperation between our countries is built on mutual respect, friendship and interest," she said.

Aliyeva hailed the visit by French President Francois Hollande to Azerbaijan this May, saying "The meeting between the two heads of state once again proved the strategic nature of the relations between our countries".

The first lady also hailed the economic relations between Azerbaijan and France, saying the two countries maintained good cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, urban planning, transportation, light industry, and wine-making.

"There are more than 50 French companies in Azerbaijan, and this means mutual benefit. Azerbaijan is France`s main trade partner in the South Caucasus. Our trade with France is nearly two billion dollars," the first lady said.

Aliyeva added the two countries enjoy good humanitarian cooperation. "We attach great importance to the humanitarian area, which unites peoples irrespective of their language and religion. I'm happy that Azerbaijan-France humanitarian relations have reached a completely new level in the past few years.

There are hundreds of Azerbaijani students at French universities. Azerbaijani language and history are being taught in many higher educational institutions in France. At the same time, there is a French lyceum in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. The Azerbaijani government contributed to the establishment of the Islamic Arts Department at Louvre, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation contributed to the restoration of the Cathedral Church in Strasbourg and historic and architectural monuments in other regions of France," she said.

The first lady went on saying "Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, we have organized exhibitions, concerts and other events in the French capital and 20 cities with the aim of promoting Azerbaijan's culture and arts."

The goal of the exhibition composed of several exhibitions is to promote Azerbaijan's old and rich history and culture.

In one of the sections of the exhibition, works by Azerbaijani artists Khalida Safarova and Kamil Najafzadeh are put on display. With the collection of over 50 works, the exposition has been devoted to France. The works in the section "France Trough the Eyes of Azerbaijani Artists" show different aspects of France and its regions and capital.

All directions of Azerbaijan's carpet school have been represented at the exhibition, with old carpets and carpet products dating back to hundreds years ago.

Within the framework of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture, residents of the city of Cannes and guests of the city have gained the chance to get familiar with ancient copper art samples. They have also seen Azerbaijan's national garments, national music instruments, as well as ceramic items found during archaeological diggings.

A separate section has been established at the exhibition as part exhibitions organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in various countries on the occasion of the 870th jubilee of Nizami Ganjavi.

Books, booklets and other publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation promoting Azerbaijan and its culture are also put on display in Cannes.

Then a concert by the State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev and conducted by People's Artist Teymour Goychayev was held at the Festivals Palace of Cannes.

The exhibition will continue until July 31.

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