Open air art festival underway in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
The square in front of the Maiden Tower, the ancient part of Baku's Old City, is playing host to fifth International Art Festival "Maiden Tower".
This traditional festival, which was kicked off on May 7, provides visitors with an opportunity to meet art pieces by various artists from around the world.
The festival aims primarily to contribute to promotion of the Maiden Tower, one of the most ancient and mysterious monuments in Azerbaijan, and to familiarize international artists with Azerbaijan's art and culture.
Moreover, the festival draws attention to threatened animals in Azerbaijan and the region. This year the organizers have put their focus on gazelle - one of the most beautiful animals in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus, now facing the danger of extinction.
For two days, the artists will work in the open air before the eyes of art lovers and passers-by.
This year, art festival gathered about 30 well-known artists from 27 countries. Each participant is provided with mockup of the Maiden Tower and gazelle, paint, and other things needed to create a masterpiece.
Portraying the tower in their national styles, local and foreign artists reflected the synthesis of different cultures and traditions, which extend the exhibition's conceptual borders with new thematic components.
This year's festival is also expected to introduce 3D drawing, one of the most popular types of street art. This three-dimensional optical illusion will create a certain vision that will allow the visitors to enjoy the old city view from the top of the Maiden Tower.
Works of artists will be presented at the closing ceremony of the festival on May 9. It is also planned to exhibit these art pieces in different countries.
The international art festival is held with the organizational support and special initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Administration of State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher", International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA), Museum of Modern Art, and "Maiden Tower" art gallery.
Artists from 50 countries have already participated in the festival, painting pictures on Maiden Tower's mock-ups.
Maiden Tower, a historical symbol of Baku dating back to the ancient times, has opened its doors to visitors after major conservation works this January. Today, its unique construction presents a new museum exhibition.