September 14, 2016

“Music in Stone” Sculpture Symposium and “Maiden Tower” Festival to be held with organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation

“Music in Stone” first international sculpture symposium will be held in Baku from September 24 to October 2 within the framework of the 7th Maiden Tower International Art Festival, with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

 

The primary objective of the Symposium, to which 10 well-known sculptors from the Latin America, Europe and Asia are invited, is to create various works of art using natural stones (Shamkir’s sandstone, Absheron’s limestone). 4 sculptors from Azerbaijan will also participate in the event. There is no specific theme for the sculptors who will work in the open air in Baku’s Gala Settlement; they will be free to express themselves. The only conditions that they should follow are that the works will then be displayed in the open air. Works created within the framework of the Symposium will be exhibited in one of the parks of Baku.

 

Sculpture is one of the most ancient types of fine arts, and in Azerbaijan, this art goes back to very old times. Since time immemorial, natural stones with different features and colours used to be mined in Azerbaijan. Plastic features of Absheron’s limestone, Garabagh’s river stone and black marble, Shamkir’s yellowish-white sandstone have shaped uniqueness of the local architecture, and its decorative patterns.

 

According to the plan, the event will be held each year and a museum with works of sculptors from around the world - a sculpture park - will be created in the open air.

 

Traditionally held following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative, the Maiden Tower International Festival will be held this year during 18-21 September in French capital Paris, within the “Azerbaijani Village”. Artists from France and Azerbaijan will participate in the 7th Maiden Tower Festival.

 

In the framework of the Project, a “Maiden Tower” festival will also be held for children in Baku, September 17 and 18. Up to 30 participants will present their works for the festival.

 

The Maiden Tower International Art Festival has been held since 2010. The objective of the project is to promote the Maiden Tower - located on the territory of Icherisheher, which was entered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2010, and considered Baku’s symbol - throughout the world. Artist from around the world who participate in the festival decorate mock-ups of the Maiden Tower in their own national style and create works reflecting the synthesis of different cultures and traditions.