The “Fly to Baku: Modern Art of Azerbaijan” Exhibition with organisational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the English version of the “Baku” magazine was opened in Paris

The “Fly to Baku: Modern Art of Azerbaijan” Exhibition with organisational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the English version of the “Baku” magazine was opened in Paris, April 12. 

First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Minister of  Culture and Communication of France Frederique Mitterrand took part in the opening ceremony.

The “Fly to Baku: Modern Art of Azerbaijan” Exhibition was this time opened in Paris, after London. Interest shown towards the exhibition could be seen in posters in central streets of the French capital.

This exhibition, which is of special significance among the events held by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation aimed at Azerbaijan’s promotion in the world, was opened in well-known Salomon de Rothschild domain of Paris. And this once more proves that promotion of our culture has been a priority area in the activities of First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

Held on the initiative of Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, this exhibition may be evaluated as a successful presentation of the modern art of Azerbaijan inspired by the combination of eastern and western cultures.

Making a speech at the ceremony, Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva told that dynamism and spirit of creativity in the works demonstrated at the exhibition reflects a major part of what is happening today in Azerbaijan. “My country has been experiencing unprecedented period of development, and this is more distinctly seen in the area of modern art” said Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva and talked of Azerbaijan’s ancient history, as well as the “Baku” magazine, which is now being sold in Paris, and underlined that young artist have always been  given a space in this publication.

Giving information about the works and artists being presented at the exhibition, Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva said:

- 21 artist from Azerbaijan is participating in this exhibition. Some of them are young and recently started this activity, and some have been engaged in this profession for a long time and are well-known artists. More than 100 works – videos, installations, paintings, performances and photos are exhibited here.  An interesting aspect here is that most of these works have been created just for the “Fly to Baku” exhibition and are exhibited for the first time. We plan to hold such exhibitions all over the Europe, we expect to arrange it in New York, and the exhibition will be finalized  in Baku.

Noting that Baku is going to host the European song contest in May, Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva invited those attending the ceremony to come to our city and see its beauty with their own eyes.

Curator of the exhibition Erve Michaeloff emphasized that this exhibition drew attention with its richness, and works being presented here were distinguished for their originality. “Azerbaijani art has deep historical roots” said Erve Michaeloff and underlined this kind of events contributed to better promotion of our country. He thanked First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva who greatly contributed to holding this exhibition.

Then First Lady of Azerbaijan , President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-president of the  Foundation Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, Minister of Culture and Communication of France Frederique Mitterrand got acquainted with the “Fly to Baku: Modern Art of Azerbaijan” Exhibition.

There was the name of Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva among the participants of the exhibition. Some of the illustration made by her will be used in “Once upon a time, there was once” fairy tale book to be printed in Russian and English languages. Paintings “Pomegranate”, “Pomegranate tree”, “Life goes on” and other art works have found a way to the hearts of attendees by their uniqueness.

A work by young artist Aida Mahmudova also could draw attention of attendees by its style. The author expressed in the work old days, the events she had encountered and her feelings in the present time.

In addition, works such as fine art, graphics, sculpture, photography and video-art by 21 author - well-known artists Altay Sadykhzadeh, Anvar Asgarov, Mirnadir Zeynalov were presented at the exhibition. Each of the works is interesting for their singularity and artistic style. With very interesting and different avant-garde ideas prevailing, these art works are talking of the singularity of the Azerbaijani modern art. With works representing original taste, interesting thinking and fine spirit being presented in one space, this exhibition draw attention with non-traditional techniques of expression.

Works by artists, who represented different years Azerbaijan in Venetian Biennales, as well as young masters of brush working in foreign countries and persons of art that had participated in influential international events also were presented at the exhibition. All this shows that as a result of these projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation towards discovering talented young people, in addition to rich Azerbaijani culture, talented youths of our country  also are known and recognized in the world.

Works being presented at this unique exhibition have once more proved that art has wide possibilities and it does not recognise any limitation. Rich with avant-garde shades, mood of this  exhibition proves also that there have always been great attention towards culture and art in Azerbaijan. Regular actions are taken towards creating a more fertile environment in our country and ensuring free creative possibilities for representatives of culture and art.

Thus, the exhibition opened in Paris was another opportunity for demonstration of Azerbaijani culture and our national originality.  Hundreds of foreign citizens viewed our culture’s rich and magical world with great interest. The interest shown towards this large-scale and multilateral exhibition, which will continue until April 21, shows that success of this event has caused wide eco in the cultural life of Paris and became a real event. Such exhibitions are expected to be held in future in Moscow, Berlin, Rome, New York and Baku.