Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

The State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel has hosted a solemn evening dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic.

The evening was organized by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan to St. Petersburg with the participation of representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora and public figures, representatives of culture and science, creative intelligentsia and diplomatic missions.

In his speech, The Consul General of Azerbaijan to St. Petersburg Sultan Gasimov stressed that the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim East was created on May 28, 1918 - Azerbaijani Democratic Republic, state institutions, a multi-party system, a parliament were progressive for that time, citizens had equal rights regardless of ethnicity, sex, religion and social status. ADR is the first secular democratic state in the Islamic world, as well as the first Muslim state where women received electoral rights. The measures implemented in the field of state construction, the creation of the National Army of Azerbaijan, the announcement of the Azerbaijani language as a state language, establishment of the national anthem, flag and coat of arms have opened a new glorious page in the history of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, ADR ceased to exist on April 28, 1920.

In 1991, after the restoration of its independence, the Azerbaijani people, following the ideals of the ADR, created on its the basis a new independent state, developing and having success in all spheres of life.

The high level of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, special attention to the sphere of culture and art was also emphasized.

The leading soloist of the Mariinsky Theater Timur Askarov, famous jazz guitarist Hasan Bagirov, the soloist of the Elena Obraztsova International Academy of Music Elnara Mammadova and the laureate of international competitions, the soloist of the Academy of Young Opera Singers at the Mariinsky Theater Regina Rustamova expressed their gratitude for the high appreciation of their activities in art.

Further, fashion collection title "Ladies of Azerbaijan" by famous national designer, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Fakhriya Khalafov were showcased at the evening.

The fashion collection was successfully presented in Moscow, Paris, Baku and other cities.

The collection reflects the distinctive eastern beauty of Azerbaijani women. The crown of the collection is an outfit symbolizing the colors of the State Flag of Azerbaijan (see video). The Hermitage is symbolic for Fakhriya Khalafov. As you know, in December 2017 an agreement was signed between the Director of the State Hermitage Museum, the Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Piotrovsky and the Honored Art Worker of Azerbaijan, Associate Professor of Modeling Department at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts Fakhriya Khalafov. For the first time the designer's works from Azerbaijan were presented at the Hermitage Hotel, at the opening of the Hermitage Costume Gallery, and then entered the museum's fund.

Guests also enjoyed a collection of national dresses by Kenul Velibeyli.

Moreover, the exposition by the graduate of the St. Petersburg Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture Elshad Ahmadov caused great interest among guests.

The artist presented a series of paintings dedicated to Azerbaijan, its traditions and culture.

Among the works were paintings "Blacksmith", "Masters of Oriental carpets," "Youth, the beginning of the family path," and others.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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