Azerbaijani exhibition opens at UNESCO
By Nigar Orujova
UNESCO headquarters saw the opening of “Azerbaijan: From Traditions to Contemporaneity” exhibition on May 13.
The exhibition is held with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s permanent representative office at UNESCO .
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, the head of department of UNESCO foreign relations section, Genc Seiti thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its president, First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mehriban Aliyeva for the high-level organization of the exhibition.
Seiti appreciated the ancient archaeological items, samples of copper-smithery and carpet weaving art, as well as contemporary art pieces displayed at the exhibition as a sign of sustainability of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.
He emphasized Azerbaijan’s active participation in implementing UNESCO’s conventions related to culture, and protection of intangible cultural heritage in particular.
In his speech, the permanent representative of Azerbaijan at UNESCO, Anar Karimov gave information about Azerbaijan’s rich history, based on the exhibits displayed here.
He invited the guests to visit Azerbaijan to be closely acquainted with the Land of Fire.
The diplomat noted that, although Azerbaijan is suffering from Armenia's military occupation, it is trying to take steps towards restoring peace and security in the region. As a sign of these endeavors, he cited the third World Intercultural Dialogue Forum and the First European Games.
Karimov underscored the services of Mehriban Aliyeva toward organizing such events and talked about her activity as a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO.
The exhibition “Azerbaijan: From Traditions to Contemporaneity” displays archaeological findings, coins, jewelry, copper wares and samples of pottery used in Azerbaijan before and in the Middle Ages, as well as old women and men’s wears, national music instruments, embroidery and carpet products.
The section devoted to the Baku 2015 First European Games showcases works made by talented young artists from Azerbaijan, along with well-known sculptors on the 20 types of sports included in the Games.
Another section of the exhibition entitled “Contemporary Art of Azerbaijan” displays works by such eminent artist as Toghrul Narimanbeyov, Altay Sadykhzadeh, Ashraf Murad, Leyla Aliyeva, Museyib Amirov, Mammadkerim Gouliyev, Ahad Mammadov, Darvin Valibeyov, Sabir Chopuroghlu, Aliyar Alimirzayev, Niyaz Najafov, Orkhan Huseynov, Faig Ahmad and many more.
Chovkan, an old Azerbaijani horseback played game, is also presented at the exhibition.
The inauguration event also enjoyed a concert programme entitled “New Generation of Azerbaijani Jazz”.
At the concert, participant of international Jazz festivals, virtuosic musician Shahin Novrasly performed, in addition to his own compositions, works by Azerbaijani and European composers, as well as popular songs in piano. He was accompanied by Ari Hofeing (percussion instruments), Natan Pek (double-bass), Arslan Novrasly (tar), and Nurlan Novrasly (kamancha).
The event participants were presented with publications of poetry by great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi in the English and French languages, published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as music disks.
The exhibition will continue to present Azerbaijani culture at UNESCO until May 20. An “open door” will be announced at the exhibition until 12.00 p.m. on May 16.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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