Arts & Culture

Qobustan to be registered in UNESCO World Heritage List
Arrived in Baku at the invitation of Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Polad Bulbuloglu on January 21, UNESCO Deputy Secretary-general on cultural issues Miner Bushenaki has met with Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, chairman of the standing parliamentary commission on culture and head of UN Baku office on Thursday. Besides, he visited the Alley of Martyrs, the Old City, the Sirvansah Palace. Bushenaki has told Polad Bulbuloglu that Qobustan historical preserve would be registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. He also pointed out to that all necessary documents had been already provided for this purpose.
The Old City was included in the World Heritage List in 2000, while the Atasgah fire-worship temple and Naxcivan mausoleum are planned for the registration following Qobustan.
Besides, the UNESCO official held meetings with a number of Azeri government officials. The visit ended on January 24.

Monuments to be rehabilitated in liberated territories
Monuments located in the areas freed from the Armenian occupation will be restored, according to the Head Administration on restoration, protection and use of monuments under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture. Within the project, Protection and restoration of national values, Azerbaijani cultural monuments will be taken into controll starting this year. Experts being in charge of the project have already traveled to two villages in Fuzuli District, where they have carried out scientific-researches at the Babi and Ahmadallar tombs. Cost estimates are being prepared for the restoration of the two ancient monuments.
It is worthy of note the project, initiated by the Ministry of Culture, will continue in the future in areas to be liberated from the Armenian occupation. The project will be financed by the World Bank.

First Azeri opera to mark its 95th jubilee
The first opera of the Muslim world, Leyli and Macnun, saw its 95th anniversary on January 27. To mark the jubilee, an event was organized at the house-museum of Uzeir Hacibayov. Opera veterans like Gulxar Hasanova, Sara Qadimova, Arif Babayev, Canali Akbarov attended the event along with young opera singers. Excerpts from Leyli and Macnun staged by schoolchildren were peformed at the event. An exhibition, Eternal Leyli and Macnun, was held as part of the celebrations with pictures featuring the first art group of the opera.

Great composer's  85th jubilee to be marked
The 85th jubilee of outstanding Azeri composer Qara Qarayev will be celebrated in February in correspondence with a Ministry of Culture resolution. Jubilee events are to be held at the Azerbaijani State Museum of Musical Culture on February 5 and at the Chamber Music Hall on February 6. Excerpts from works by the famous composer will be played at the events to be attended by his friends and students. Besides, the musician's symphonic compositions will be performed at a party to be held at the Azerbaijani State Opera and Ballet Theater on February 7. Photos featuring Qara Qarayev, programs and playbills of his works will be exhibited at the Theater's lobby.

Youth Day to be marked nationwide
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism has prepared a schedule of events to celebrate the Azerbaijani Youth Day, the Ministry's press-service has told AssA-Irada. A gala concert of young musicians with a subsequent awarding ceremony is due at the Sahriyar Culture Center on February 2. This concert will coincide with show a musical-entertainment program at the Izmir restaurant by well-known pop-singers.
Meanwhile, the Child World Gallery will host an exhibition of young fashion designers and artists Various sports games, competitions and contests are to be conducted at the National Park. Celebrated since 1996, the Azerbaijani Youth Day will be marked on the countryside, in refugee townships and military units as well.