Arts & Culture

President Aliyev played by Polish actor
Tadeus Hook, a Polish actor, was invited to play the part of Heydar Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, in a historical-feature film currently being made "Black Mark", according to the producer, Vagif Mustafayev. The film is being made in the street running from Olimp, the former sports shop now a furniture salon, up to Salyan barracks quarter. Entry into the filming site is blocked by lorries. The starring company includes local celebrities as well as actors and actresses from the United States, Romania and Bulgaria. Vagif Mustafayev told Assa-Irada that members of the Russian Association of Stuntmen also contribute to the filming of "Black Mark".
Mustafayev believes the project will carry out an important mission - advocate the history of Azerbaijan. "Black Mark" will have many scenes featuring the Black January (20 January 1990) tragedy.

Birthday of talented Azeri jazzman to be marked
An event will be held at the house museum of a renowned Azerbaijani composer and pianist, jazzman Vaqif Mustafazada on the occasion of his birthday. At the event jointly organized by the Azerbaijani State Museum of Music Culture and the Vaqif Mustafazada Foundation, works by the talented musician will be played, while photos featuring his life and career will be exhibited.  Vaqif Mustafazada first synthesized Azerbaijani folk songs and mughams with jazz. He won the first prize of a jazz contest held in Monte-Carlo in 1978. He founded the Qafqaz jazz trio and the first female quartet, Leyli. The musician has also headed instrumental bands Sevil and Muqam.  A CD featuring his works will be released shortly in Chicago, US, where monument was erected to him last year.

Photos of Rashid Behbudov to be exhibited
A photo exhibition, dedicated to one of the great tenors of Azerbaijan and internationally recognised singer, Rashid Behbudov, to the visitors, opens on March 18, at Baku's World of Azerbaijan gallery. A total of 100 photos will show in episodes the way the singer lived and created, including foreign tours he has had. The exhibition, lasting a month, is organised by the Rasid Behbudov Foundation, in co-operation with the administration of the gallery, and is second part of the Photos of Great Figures series. The series was inaugurated with the gallery serving as a venue to familiarise the visitors with Sattar Bahlulzada.