Mehriban Aliyeva attended a ceremony in connection with completion of the “Maiden Tower” Third International Art Festival

A ceremony devoted to the completion of the “Maiden Tower” Third International Art Festival was held at the Small Caravanserai in the Old City, May 19. First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

With special contribution to dialogue among cultures, the “Maiden Tower” International Art Festival has been held since 2010 on the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative, and organisation support by the “Icherisheher” State Historical and Architectural Preserve Department, the Museum of Modern Art and the “Maiden Tower” Art Gallery. The Festival aimed at propagandizing the Maiden Tower, one of the oldest and world significance monuments of Azerbaijan. Over 30 well-known artists from 24 countries took part in this year’s art festival. Decorating small models of the Tower with patterns in their national styles, they have created a synthesis and mutual exchange of different cultures and traditions. Unlike other festivals, in order to draw peoples’ attention to the “Caucasian Five”, which is in danger of extinction, models of gazelles were created first time this year within the IDEA International Environmental Campaign, and decorated by artists that took part in previous years’ competitions and were considered to be friends of Azerbaijan. Among these works, works by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva received high appraisal by participants. Getting closely acquainted with works exhibited in the festival, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was informed by authors of the main ideas of the works. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva made a speech at the event. She said:

-   Ladies and Gentlemen!

- Dear Friends!

First of all, welcome to our nice city of Baku.  Welcome to the “Great Five” exhibition organized within the “Maiden Tower” Third International Art Festival.

This is the third time we are holding this festival. Having achieved a great success, this festival gives citizens of Baku a chance to familiarize themselves with creative samples of various countries of the world.

Today we are demonstrating the gazelle, one of the most beautiful animals of Azerbaijan and Southern Caucasus, which is in danger of extinction. The “Great Five” exhibition has been organized to draw peoples’ attention to animals facing the peril of extinction both in Azerbaijan and in the region as a whole.

The IDEA campaign has entered bear, eagle, wolf, gazelle and Caucasian leopard that face the peril of extinction on the “Great Five” list. Today we use gazelles as a sample of these animals that are in danger of extinction. Gazelle has always been a symbol of beauty of Azerbaijani fairy tales and songs. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has, jointly with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, realized the project on moving gazelles to their natural habitat. Being IDEA, we have come to a conclusion to demonstrate more creative and artistic approach  to this project.

As you know, the IDEA campaign was launched a year ago. During this period, we have implemented a number of projects  associated with protection of the environment, and achieved very positive results.

Half an hour ago, we inaugurated the Resource Centre of the State Management Academy. This centre will enable people to carry out investigations in connection with the environment.

Another interesting project by IDEA is being implemented before the old Maiden Tower. While carrying out restoration works on the Maiden Tower, we found nests of long-wing  birds that had flown to Azerbaijan from Africa. The IDEA campaign has built, jointly with the “Icherisheher” State Historical and Architectural Preserve Department, nests for these birds. I’m greatly pleased to inform that the birds have moved into new nests.

Dear Friends, 23 artists are participating today here from various countries of the world, including Azerbaijan. I know some of them. They had participated in the “Maiden Tower” festival. Some of them are professionals, some lovers of art, as myself.

I believe this festival has great success, as it gives a chance  to artists coming from different countries of the world to deliver each other the message of love, peace and mutual understanding. This message fully conforms to the slogan of our IDEA Campaign: “One planet – one future”.

Thank you all for participating in this exhibition. This exhibition will be held for some time in Baku. We have a plan to hold this exhibition in different countries.

I thank every one who has supported us in organizing this exhibition, especially artists. I believe you have indeed done a great job.

Thank you once more for coming to Baku. I hope you will enjoy staying in our beautiful city. I wish you all sound health, happiness and love.

X X X

A video devoted to the “Maiden Tower” Third International Art Festival was demonstrated at the event. And another different aspect of this year’s festival was presentation of a video mapping on the Maiden Tower. At the closing ceremony of the Festival, colourful images were created on the Mayden Tower, by making projections of Maiden Tower models created during the previous festivals and conforming to the monument’s architecture.