The Exhibition “Contemporary works of Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire” was opened in Paris

Exhibition entitled "Contemporary works of Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire" was opened in Paris, April 18. The same day, Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand in Hotel d’Evreux in the historic Place Vendome.

Mitterrand said he was glad to see Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in Paris again. He stressed that the relations between the two countries in the cultural sphere entered a new phase. Recalling the ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of restoring the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan held in Paris in February this year, the French Minister of Culture said that the event was a great success. Frederic Mitterrand said that France has taken the initiative to demonstrate its cultural heritage in Azerbaijan. About 100 samples of French culture are planned to be presented at various exhibitions in Azerbaijan.

Mrs Aliyeva said that the Azerbaijani government has supported this initiative, and as the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, she will spare no efforts for the success of this event.

Azerbaijan 's First Lady invited the French Culture Minister to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Following the meeting, Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand viewed exhibition entitled "Contemporary works of Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire". About 33 works by 18 Azerbaijani artists, belonging to a modernist style, were demonstrated there. The exhibition presented works by well-known Azerbaijani artists, including Ashraf Murad, Darvin and Rashad Velibeyovs, Rasim and Rashad Babayevs, Mammad Mustafayev, Mirnadir Zeynalov and Altay Sadygzade. This exhibition, glorifying Azerbaijan, became a brilliant opportunity of bringing the features of Azerbaijanis to Western audience.

The exhibition, which was attended also by prominent artists Tahir Salahov and Toghrul Narimanbayov, successfully introduced to the foreign audience the unique beauty of the Land of Fires - Azerbaijan, located on the shore of the blue Caspian Sea of Baku, where the peculiarities of the East and the West are concentrated. The works by modern artists Mikail Abdurrahmanov, Museib Amirov, Eliyar Alimirzayev, Niyaz Najafov, Aida Mahmudova, Fuad Salayev, Bahram Khalilov, Fazil Mammadov, Eldar Najafov, reflecting the views of old and modern Baku, were of great interest of visitors. Though these works, which impress by their realism, variety of shapes and colors, seemed harsh a little bit, they attracted attention for their striking beauty and an interesting painting technique. The rich exposition of the exhibition allowed discovering the peculiarities of contemporary art. The art is considered to be an expression of a person's place in space. Contemporary art embodies this idea in new forms. Avant-garde is interesting by its new shades, rhythm, plasticity and form. The samples of the modern Azerbaijani art, that are truly brilliant and original phenomenon, differ by its originality. The works here offer excellent opportunities for aesthetic education, development of artistic taste and imagination. The non-traditional and sometimes even unexpected technology of expression reign in these works. French art lovers examined with great interest the works, presenting great aesthetic delight. They became sure of the richness and diversity of the Azerbaijani culture once again.

At the end of the exhibition, reception was given for participants on behalf of Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.