"From Regions to Regions" festival is coming soon!
By Laman Ismayilova
"From Regions to Regions" Art Festival will launch soon on the initiative of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The art fest offers an abundance of interesting experiences in country's beautiful cities Masalli and Lankaran on June 25-26.
The event is timed to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Trend Life reported.
The project aims to promote the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, cultural potential of country's regions as well as to strengthen interregional exchanges.
Within the framework of the festival there will be organized exhibitions of handicrafts, concerts of masters of arts and folklore groups from different cities and regions of the republic.
The festival provides an opportunity for foreign guests, as well as local residents, to familiarize themselves with the cultural life of the regions.
The first event within the framework of the festival will be held in Heydar Aliyev Park in Masalli on June 25.
Fifteen tents of regional cultural administrations of the Ministry of Culture will showcase samples of folk art, souvenirs, handicrafts, etc. Moreover, performance of folklore groups awaits guests of the festival. The event starts at 17:00.
"From regions to capital " project will reach Lankaran on June 26.
Further, the festival will continue in other regions (a total of 15 cities and districts).
Masalli, a unique region located in 240 km of Baku has much to offer tourists and locals.
There are many picturesque villages in the region, where you can get acquainted with the local history and traditions. You can also relax from the city bustle in the largest villages of Masalli, including Boradigyah, Erkivan, Sharafa, Banbashi, Gizilagaj, Taza Alvadi and others.
The village of Gizilagaj, located 15 kilometers pf the center of Masalli, has an ancient history.
There is a mound of the Neolithic and Eneolithic epochs known as Həzi Təpəsi. In the Middle Ages, Gizilagaj was a port that maintains trade relations with other ports of the Caspian Sea. Its population went on a voyage and was engaged in fishing. The sea caravan routes, going to Gilan and Mazandaran, also ran through Gizilagaj. For many centuries, Gizilagaj played a significant role in the trade relations between Europe and the Middle East.
Masalli is also very rich with its architectural sights such as the 19th century Mosque and old baths. It is also possible to see the mosques that were built back in 16th century in the nearby villages.
The region is famous for its healing water called "Istisu", translated as "hot water"
The source does not dry for many hundreds of years, and no one knows the exact history of its occurrence.
The water, coming from the bowels of the earth at a depth of 90-250 meters, has been called magical water since ancient times. It’s rich with hydrogen sulphide, calcium, sodium, chloride, magnesium hydrocarbons, and iodine, which makes it a cure for thousands of diseases.
Well-known by its ancient history and rich culture, Lankaran has rich flora and fauna.
The Gizil-Agach State Reserve located here hosts over 250 kinds of plants, 30 species of fish and more than 220 kinds of birds. The reserve was included into the list of UNESCO Ramseur convention "On internationally important swampy areas as the birds' residing places".
The fertile soil of the region is ideal for growing citrus fruits, rice, grapes, tobacco and tea-growing. The region is a home of Azerbaijan's first tea plant, built in 1937.
Lankaran is also famous for its rich and delicious cuisine. Lavangi, Lankaran kulcha, marji plov, white plov, pumpkin plov and turshu kebab are the best examples of local cuisine.
Unique landscapes, wonderful sceneries, historical attractions and great climate create favorable conditions for tourism development.
The ancient tower Abirlar, the tomb of Sheikh Zahed, Qala mosque, Guldasta minaret, ruins of Ballabur castle were preserved here.
There are many other sites of interest in Lankaran. Don’t miss the three-storey Lankaran Fortress and house of Mirakhmad Khanhere. This palace was built in 1913 by French architects, but has clear Azerbaijani features in its architecture.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova
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