“A hundred works. Numerous people visiting the exhibition “Flight To Baku” devoted to Azerbaijan at “MAXXI”. Art on the rise”
Being a tabloid to Italian influential newspaper Messaggero, Cronaka di Roma’s March 7thedition has printed an article related to the opening of the exhibition “Flight to Baku”.
Journalist Roberta Petronia stated in her article entitled “A hundred works. Numerous people visiting the exhibition “Flight to Baku” devoted to Azerbaijan at “MAXXI”. Art on the rise” that there is no doubt art is the visiting card of Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The article notes: “With delicate taste, Azerbaijan’s First Lady has arrived to conquer a new height on that big board harmonizing with our city’s rhythm. Her country and capital has always been demonstrated in the centre of this board. In the first row, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, always distinguished by her contemporaneity and sincerity, is standing along with her daughter Leyla Aliyeva, who has received a master’s degree on politics and international relations in Moscow, the chief editor of illustrated “Baku” magazine, the Vice-president of the Foundation and, first of all, an artist.
The work “Shade” drawn by Leyla in a graphics style on a paper was standing out against a background of the general view of the exhibition “Flight to Baku” opened in the “D” Hall of the Maxxi complex yesterday. After music, folk arts and archaeology, Azerbaijani art took turn: twenty one artist displayed their works. Arriving at Rome after being displayed in Berlin, Moscow and London, and then to head for Vienna, these works were accompanied, at this mobile exhibition, by sculptural compositions and video materials.”
Stating the exhibition’s success, the author writes: “Mehriban and Leyla Aliyevas arrived that evening at Quindo Reni street and were received by President of the “Maxxi” Foundation Giovanna Melandri, Art Director of Maxxi Anna Mattirolo, and Director for ArchitectureMargarita Quicciona.
Collectors and membersof the Roman elite – producers Pietro Valsecchi, Camilla Nesbitt, Lamberto Dini, Madelena Letta, art historian Claudio Strinati and his spouse Annarosa Mattey, Franco Tato and Sonya Raule, Alessandro Cerazi Balrillari and finally, stylist Renato Balestra gathered in the parquet. The world of theatre and cinema was represented by a nubmer of actors and actresses such as movie director Corcio Ferrara, Ornella Muti, Carolina Crecentini, Pamela Villorezi, also Rodolfo Corsato, Claudia Zanella, Ivano de Matteo, Entso Monteleone, Cecilia Zanuso, Toni Trupia and Francesco Figus.”
Further, an Italian journalist writes: “An apéritif with red and white wines, as well as fresh pizza made on a charcoal was arranged for all the gusets of the initial demonstration.”
A reception arranged with great taste by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Saint Recis was the continuation of the evening.
One hundred and fifty invitees coming to the reception entered the five-star hotel’s building: they were welcomed by live music, flowers and ... candles.
The guests were welcomed by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Rome Vagif Sadykhov. Our dishes were offered in honour of the Italian cuisine: brezaola (basdyrma from beef) and caprino (goat’s meet), white salmon baked in its skin and wines of superior quality.
Among the attendees of the evening, there were Azerbaijan’s well-known persons, collectors of international art works and representatives of Italian culture.”