II International Art Festival Maiden Tower wraps up in Baku

2 İyul 2011 13:10 (UTC+04:00)

Second International Art Festival Maiden Tower in Baku ended on 1 July.

The ceremony held on this occasion was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters – Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva.

The three-day festival initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and co-organized by Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, Museum of Modern Art and Maiden Tower Arts Gallery brought together 25 well-known artists from 20 countries.

Head of Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve Mikayil Jabbarov told the ceremony participants that the Maiden Tower arts festival has already become traditional. The festival, that aims to popularize Maiden Tower, one of the ancient monuments in Azerbaijan, marks novelty each time.

Azerbaijan’s First lady Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her support by presenting her work to the festival last year. Leyla Aliyeva’s work was exhibited in the festival this time.

Jabbarov said artists from various countries have created works as a synthesis of different cultures and traditions by decorating models of the Maiden Tower in accordance with national styles.

The works of these artists were displayed in the Old City for Baku residents and guests of the city. Moreover, these rare works will be displayed in different parts of the world as a means to popularize the Maiden Tower as a part of the global cultural heritage.

The festival has also made a prominent contribution to intercultural dialogue.

Jabbarov thanked Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO good-will ambassador and member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, for support to hold the festival.

The participant of the festival from Lithuania, artist Skaidra Jancaite played pieces of Lithuanian and Azerbaijani national music and said the festival had made a great impression on him and that he had made new friends here.

Executive Director of the Museum of Modern Art Jeyhun Agakishibayli emphasized the attention the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has paid to national art and culture in recent years.

He said the festival indicates that the country’s history and national heritage are preserved. The fact that the Maiden Tower models were decorated with elements of different countries is an important step in rapprochement of cultures.

Director of Mexico Museum of Modern Arts Osvaldo Sancez, Head of Karvan Arts Gallery of Uzbekistan Natalya Musina said they are amazed at beauty of Baku and noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation attaches great importance to development of national culture and promotion of intercultural dialogue and that the festival was organized in a high-level.

Head of Maiden Tower Art Gallery Emin Mammadov also said the festival was success and praised this event as an opportunity for artists from different countries to display their skills.

Later on, the ceremony participants viewed the works exhibited.

Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva also spoke about essence of the work she presented. She said her work embodies the idea that the saying that everything succumbs to time is not true in all cases and that her work has expressed that the Maiden Tower will survive the many more centuries ahead through the language of colors.

Leyla Aliyeva’s work caused great interest among the participants. International Art Festival Maiden Tower has been initiated by Heydar Aliyev Foundation starting from 2010.

The festival aims to promote Maiden Tower, one the ancient and mysterious monuments of Azerbaijan of world importance.

Located in Old City, which is included into the UNESCO World Heritage List and considered a symbol of the Land of Fires, is a pearl of ancient history and architecture of Azerbaijan that enriches global cultural heritage.

The first International Art Festival Maiden Tower held on 26-29 May 2010 brought together over 20 artists from 18 countries.