Sand sculpture and graffiti festival winners named
By Sabina Idayatova
The second outdoor festival of sand sculptures and graffiti, organized by the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation at Dostlug (Friendship) recreation center on the Caspian seashore in the capital Baku, drew to a close on October 19.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Foundation's official Orkhan Arabov congratulated the festival participants and expressed hope for continuation of the project in the future.
Speakers noted that the art of creating sand sculptures and graffiti is of great interest for the public and youth in Azerbaijan.
The key objective of the project is to develop arts in the country, to identify young talents, sculptors and painters, and strengthen the ties of young sculptors and artists with professionals engaged in this field.
Unlike the first such festival, the Turkish, Iranian and Russian students joined the second event. The sculptors and artists created their works within three days of the festival.
Project Director Ismayil Ismayilov awarded the winners with diplomas and gifts, and all participants were issued certificates. He wished future success to all the participants.
Yaylaggul Ramazanova was named the winner, while Azer Mammadli ranked second, and Matanat Aghayeva the third, in the graffiti category.
In the sculpture category, Riza Hajiyev took the first place, while Hamid Lutfullahpur was the second place winner, and Mushfig Heydarov ranked third.
The art of creating sculptures from sand emerged in the 1980s in the United States. From the early 1990s an annual international sand sculpture championship has been held in Harrison Hot Springs, Canada. From time to time sand sculpture festivals are held throughout the world.
Graffiti implies images, drawings or inscriptions scratched, painted or drawn with ink or paint on walls and other surfaces. Graffiti can be attributed to any kind of painted walls on the street on which you can find anything -- from simple written words to exquisite drawings.