An exhibition devoted to the 900th anniversary of Azerbaijani poetess Mahsati Ganjavi opens in Reims
An exhibition devoted to the 900th anniversary of Azerbaijani poetess Mahsati Ganjavi was organized in the Palace of Tau in the French city of Reims, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in France.
Opening the exhibition, administrator of the Palace Benoît-Henry Papounaud talked of the significance of such events in terms of peoples of different cultures knowing each other more closely, as well as receiving information about the country, and said the exhibits displayed at the exhibition talk of the old and rich culture of Azerbaijan.
In his speech, deputy Mayor of the city of Reims Jacques Cohen said he took a delight in Azerbaijan’s first participation in an international fair organized in the city of Reims, and added that masters of art from Azerbaijan will perform at the Reims Conservatoire, as a continuation of a range of events being held in the city in connection with Mahsati Ganjavi’s jubilee.
According to Jacques Cohen, exhibits being displayed at the exhibition will give a chance to city residents to have an idea of Azerbaijan, rich in cultural treasures, as an ancient country.
Chairperson of the Champagne-Ardenne Regional Council Jean-Paul Bachy said Azerbaijan located at the crossroads of two continents and different countries, bordering with Muslim countries, where ancient civilizations met, with its unique customs and traditions.
Bringing to attention that Azerbaijan was rich in subsoil resources, especially with oil and gas, Jean-Paul Bachy noted that Baku and Ganja, the largest cities of Azerbaijan, have recently taken a modern look, and that the Reims University was interested in building relations with the State University of Ganja.
Recalling his participation in an international wine festival in Ganja, Jean-Paul Bachy underscored that the Champagne region was famous for its wine all over the world, and said he was interested in a joint business in this sphere with the city of Ganja, and that building cooperation in the tourism sector of Azerbaijan was of key importance, as this sector offers broad opportunities.
He noted that Mahsati Ganjavi, who had lived and created in Ganja, was famous not only as an author of rubaiyats praising her Homeland, but also as a performer of lyrical romances.
Adviser to the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France Nigar Huseynova also noted that, having been known as a poetess, writer, artist and master of calligraphy of the 12th century, Mahsati Ganjavi lived and created in Ganja, one of the cultural hubs of the Oriental Renaissance. She mentioned that Nizami Ganjavi, another master of words, who has enriched the world literature with his works, was also born into the world in this city.
Underscoring that human ideas such as equality, brotherhood and freedom were praised in Mahsati Ganjavi’s creativity, the adviser said the poetess had also played an active part in the public life, organized literature circles, having gathered young girls around her, and although 900 years have passed since the time she was born, her ideas have so far maintained their urgency.
N.Huseynova emphasized that works by Mahsati Ganjavi have been translated into different languages and printed, and the poetess’s memory was remembered at UNESCO and the Embassy, following the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Head of the Executive Authority of Ganja Elmar Valiyev said that, in addition to being the second largest city of Azerbaijan, Ganja is also an ancient culture and art hub, and it bestowed geniuses like Nizami Ganjavi and Mahsati Ganjavi upon the world literature.
The head of Executive Authority mentioned that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has implemented significant projects towards promoting Azerbaijan’s cultural treasures in France. Recalling that a grandiose event devoted to Azerbaijan had been held last year in Reims, with participation of the Foundation’s President Mehriban Aliyeva, E.Valiyev underscored the significance of developing cooperation between the two countries.
Vice-president of the Reims University, professor Nureddin Manamanni said, in his speech, they were interested in building relations with the Ganja State University, having bilateral cooperation, and the exchange of students.
Women’s garments related to the time of Mahsati Ganjavi, illustrations to the poetess’s works on carpets, ancient coins, samples of coppersmithery and pottery, china wares and other exhibits were displayed at the exhibition.
