Azerbaijan draws attention in Cannes with rich culture
By Sara Rajabova
Several spectacular events are underway in French city of Cannes as part of Days of Azerbaijani Culture which started on July 8.
Azerbaijan's First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Chairperson of the European Games Organizing Committee, Mehriban Aliyeva, attended the events held within the Days of Azerbaijani Culture.
Cannes hosted a march devoted to the first European Games to be held in 2015 in Baku, which held with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on July 11.
The first European Games will attract six thousand athletes from across the world next year. They will arrive in Baku as part of 49 delegations for the summer showpiece event.
Flags from the Caucasus fluttered in the breeze as part of the celebrations to mark the launch of events prior to the first European Games. An informal five kilometer running competition was also held as part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture.
Tens of city residents and tourists joined the march organized in the famous Croisette Boulevard of Cannes. Those participating in the march were distributed T-shirts with "Baku-2015- first European Games" printed on.
The first three winners got an invitation to attend the prestigious event in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva also participated in the march.
At the end of the march, the winners were awarded by the first lady. They were presented honorary diplomas and tickets to Baku to watch next year the first European Games. Azerbaijan's First Lady Aliyeva presented the prize to Macons Vadelin who took the first place.
Then a lottery was conducted among the participants of the march, and the winner was rewarded with an electric car, a prize from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport, Azad Rahimov also attended the events.
Meanwhile, a concert was held by young jazzman Isfar Sarabski in the Festivals Palace of Cannes with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. It was also attended by Azerbaijan's First Lady.
On July 13, a fashion show by Italian designer Renato Balestra featuring Azerbaijani national clothes was held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation as part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture.
Azerbaijan`s First Lady Aliyeva attended the event called "From Tradition to Future. Azerbaijan Glamour".
Over 40 samples of garments were presented at Renato Balestra's fashion show. The garments featured traditional designs used in the Azerbaijani national costumes and carpet patterns along with elements of fire and pomegranate. Inspired by the Oriental flavor, the Italian designer succeeded in incorporating the Azerbaijani motifs into the European fashion.
"From Tradition to Future. Azerbaijan Glamour" project was launched in Baku this May.
Addressing journalists, Balestra said: "I think the show was a success. Azerbaijani first lady Aliyev played a crucial role in making this show a reality, so I express my gratitude to her."
The Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Cannes also featured presentation of Azerbaijani national dishes.
On July 13, Azerbaijan's First Lady Aliyeva met former mayor of the city of Cannes, deputy of the French National Assembly Bernard Brochand within Days of Azerbaijani Culture.
Brochand expressed his pleasure of seeing Aliyeva once again in Cannes. Emphasizing the significance of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture organized this year, Brochand noted that it was held at the highest level, as it was last year.
He praised the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's activities in this sphere and highly appreciated the events being held by the Foundation in various regions of France.
Aliyeva, in turn, highly appreciated Bernard Brochand's role in formation of a tradition of holding Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Cannes.
Opinions were exchanged at the meeting with regard to perspectives of cooperation.
Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Cannes will continue until the August 31.