Khojaly tragedy through eyes of French artist
By Sara Rajabova
Famous French artist Renaud Vincent Baltzingera is currently showcasing his works devoted to Khojaly tragedy in Baku - Natavan gallery.
An exhibition is organized by NGO “Arts Council Azerbaijan”, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the French embassy in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani embassy in France, Trend Life reported.
Dadash Mammadov, the head of “Arts Council Azerbaijan” and Nurziya Khalilova, curator of the exhibition noted how very important the exhibition truly is, as foreign artist, Baltzingera, presents in Baku a series of works devoted to the Khojaly genocide.
The Khojaly genocide, one of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century, was committed by the Armenian armed forces in 1992. 613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 of them remains unknown.
“Nine works were presented at the exhibition in Baku, but in fact there are more works. We hope that the exhibition will continue, and that Azerbaijani viewers will see some of the artist' other works,” Khalilov said.
The current works were previously presented at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris and in the artist's hometown – Metz. Also, one of the works of Vincent Renaud Baltzingera was presented at the collective exhibition in Baku.
Brother of Vincent Renaud Baltzingera was once an adviser on the culture of the French Embassy in Azerbaijan. He once asked Renault to study one folder in which was the pictures of the genocide, the physical proofs of the horrors which were committed.
“I recognized all the horror through the photos. In 2012, I decided to create these series. My brother died, but I promised to expose and show the works devoted to the Khojaly tragedy, all over the world. The exhibition in Baku is an important step. I promise to the Azerbaijani people that I will fight for this issue to the end,” said Baltzingera.
Renaud Vincent Baltzinger expressed gratitude to the organizers of the exhibition in Baku.
The exhibition will run until March 29. Admission is free.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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