On July 4, 2013, inauguration of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture entitled “Azerbaijan in Cannes” took place in the French city of Cannes, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Embassy in France. For this purpose, the city of Cannes and surrounding towns were decorated with presentation banners and posters about Azerbaijan.
Inauguration of the 4th “Maiden Tower” International Art Festival
On July 4, inauguration of the 4th International “Maiden Tower” Festival took place in La Croisette Boulevard. Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the Foundation’s Vice-president Leyla Aliyeva, Mayor of the city of Cannes, deputy, Bernard Brochand, deputy UN Director General, head of UNITAD Philippe Douste-Blazy were present at the inauguration ceremony.
The Maiden Tower International Art Festival has been held since 2010, with a view to popularizing the Maiden Tower, which is located in the territory of Icherisheher and entered by UNESCO on the List of World Heritage in 2000, in the world.
The primary criteria of the Maiden Tower Exhibition-Festival has been picturing of various ideas on mock-ups of the historical monument. Decorating mock-ups of the tower in their national styles, local and foreign artists reflected the synthesis of different cultures and traditions, and mutual exchange thereof.
One of the features of the exhibition-festival held beyond Azerbaijan that draws attention is that a new component has been added to the popularization of the Maiden Tower in Cannes.
Within the festival, the project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation associated with decoration of mock-ups of gazelles facing the peril of extinction was presented. In order to draw attention to the gazelles, an endangered species, at an exhibition to be held during 20 days, mock-ups of gazelles have been made and decorated by artists coming from various countries of the world.
In general, Maiden Tower compositions of 26 artists and gazelle compositions of 17 artists have been presented to the visitors.
Among these works, there were also works by President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.
Inauguration of the exhibition “Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan – the Pearl of the Caucasus”
On July 4, inauguration of the exhibition “Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan – the Pearl of the Caucasus” took place. The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Mayor of the city of Cannes Bernard Brochand.
At an exhibition arranged in the exhibitions hall of the Festivals Palace, our national garments, old samples of coppersmith art, national musical instruments, all directions of the Azerbaijani carpet-making school, and wide range of hundreds-year old carpets and carpet products were displayed and various publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation presented.
In the section of “Emotions”, our well-known artists presented samples of the modern Azerbaijani art.
Inauguration of the International Pyrotechnics Festival
On July 4, inauguration of the International Pyrotechnics Festival took place in the city of Cannes. Official opening of the Festival this time was done by Azerbaijan. Having been held since 1967, grandiose fireworks in this festival are accompanied by music and colours.
The presentation of the show “Azerbaijan in music and colours” was accompanied by a waltz from Gara Garayev’s “Seven Beauties” ballet, “Rast” symphonic mugham by Niyazi, “Shur” symphonic mugham by Fikret Amirov, and other classic and composer’s songs. The fireworks started with sounding of the State Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and finished by Muslim Magomayev’s “Azerbaijan” song.
On July 4, a dinner was given on the occasion of the inauguration of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Cannes.
Inauguration of a photo-exhibition and Jazz concert devoted to Azerbaijan
On July 5, inauguration of a photo-exhibition devoted to Azerbaijan took place in Cannes. This exhibition, first of all, presents our people’s old traditions, its past and present. The objective is to deliver Azerbaijan’s cultural values and their richness to the European audience.
Then a Jazz concert by Azerbaijani masters of art took place.
An evening of classical music
On July 6, another ceremony devoted to the Days of Azerbaijani Culture was organized in the city of Cannes. The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Mayor of Cannes Bernard Brochand.
The visitors acquainted themselves with a photo-exhibition devoted to Azerbaijan.
Then a concert by the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli, directed by Honoured Artist Fakhraddin Karimov, took palace.
At the “Day of National Cuisine” after the concert, the guests were presented samples of the Azerbaijani cuisine.
Presentation of the movie “Arshyn mal alan”
On July 7, within the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held in the city of Cannes, the movie “Arshyn mal alan” filmed in 1945 was shown.
The movie was shown to the French audience with French subtitles.
Concert by “Natig” Rhythm Group and the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble at La Croisette Boulevard
On July 7, a concert by “Natig” Rhythm Group and the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble took place at La Croisette Boulevard. The concert was attended by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and her family members.
Lasting four days, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Cannes were finalized by this concert.