The 1st Azerbaijan Grape and Wine Festival
In the course of August 30-31, 2019, the 1st Azerbaijan Grape and Wine Festival took place in Meysari village of Shamakhy district, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, enjoying the joint organizational support from the Agriculture Ministry, the Shamakhy District Executive Authority, the Regional Development Public Association, and the National Carpet Museum of Azerbaijan.
The project aimed at promoting local grape and wine production, boosting wine producers’ export potential, and delivering the history of wine production in Azerbaijan to the general public.
Various enlightening and entertaining events took place on the festival days, associated with grape and wine production, and the country’s tourism potential.
On August 30, the opening of the festival took place, and guests were presented various music programmes.
Degustation pavilions of local wine producers, as well as gastronomic and ethno zones were functioning in an area with different types of decorations and installations symbolizing grape, wine-growing, and the festival. Examples of creativity related to individual districts of Azerbaijan – coppersmithery, carpet-making, ornament art and pottery, process of their making, the national cuisine and music pieces were presented here.
A fair of agricultural products of Azerbaijan also took place on the territory.
Round table discussions took place on the issues existing in the field of wine-making in the country, directions of development, and access for local wine producers to the foreign market. Local wine makers, representatives of relevant state bodies and foreign experts participated in the event.
Sommelier trainings were also be arranged here with participation of international and local experts.
A workshop dedicated to grape and wine motifs in the Azerbaijani carpet-making took place in the framework of the festival. A literary composition comprised of examples of the Oriental and Azerbaijani poetry praising wine was presented, and works by Omar Khayyam, Seyid Azim Shirvani and other classics were read.
Children of participants who joined the festival together with their family members spent their time in the entertainment zone. Here, they became acquainted with animals in a mini zoo, and participated in various quizzes and master classes.
A light show was demonstrated on the lake in the complex, and music pieces were performed on a sailing-boat.
On August 31, until the festival events started, yoga, karate and gymnastics trainings took place. Tours were arranged for festival participants to Lahyj village of Ismailli, and territories of Gabala and Shamakhy districts.
A photo zone was arranged on the territory to immortalise the festival days.
