Arts In Brief

German ambassador to open photo exhibition
An individual photo exhibition by Regina Shmeken, a well-known German photographer, is organized at the Qiz Qalasi gallery in Baku on February 24  - March 3. Rare photos taken by the photographer in 1989-2000 are displayed at the exhibition called Di Noye Mitte - New Center. The photos feature developments following the destruction of the Berlin Wall.
Smeken is a photo reporter of the newspaper Zuddoyce Tsaytung. His photos have been awarded many prizes. The exhibition was opened by German Ambassador Claus Grevlich.

Chamber Theater to tour Germany
The third international one man plays festival will be held on May 1-2 in Germany. At the festival, Azerbaijan will be represented by the Chamber Theater. Young actress Nigah Hasanzada will perform Cixis, a mono play by a young director of the theater, Elvin Mirzayev. They will leave for Germany on February 28, as AssA-Irada was informed by the Chamber Theater.

Monument to renowned ballet master
A monument of Azerbaijani ballet master Leyla Vakilova was erected at her grave in the Street of Honour on February 22. The Ministry of Culture told AssA-Irada that the monument was created by sculptor Akif Asgarov using ministry funds. Attending the ceremony will be Minister for Culture Polad Bulbuloglu, government officials, art figures and relatives of the late Leyla Vakilova.

Azerbaijan at Youth Theater Festival
The Ibrus theater group directed by Oscar winning dramatist and scriptwriter, Rustam Ibrahimbayov, will attend a festival in Tolyatti, Russia, at the beginning of March. At the festival, the theater will perform a play, Arabir gorusmek ucun tarafi-mugabil axtaririm (I am seeking a friend to meet from time to time). The premiere of the play staged in Russian will be held soon, a spokesman for the Ibrus theater told AssA-Irada. Leading parts are played by well-known actors, Fuad Poladov, Mehriban Zeki and others. The scriptwriter and stage-manager of the play, to be staged in the Azerbaijani language, is Rustam Ibrahimbayov.

Exhibition on Xocali massacre
An exhibition called Xocali Harayi (Xocali's Cry) opened on February 25 at the Azerbaijan National Arts Museum. The exhibition held by the Ministry of Culture jointly with the Union of Artists is dedicated to the Xocali massacre. About 80 paintings by Manzar Agayeva, Yagub Mehdiyev, Kamil Ramazanov, Zakir Ahmadov and other artists are displayed at the exhibition. Nazim Mammadov's tableaus on Xocali were also shown.  The exhibition will last two weeks.