December 10, 2013

An exhibition and a concert devoted to the 900th jubilee of Mahsati Ganjavi takes place in the French city of Melouse

An exhibition and a concert devoted to the 900^th jubilee of Mahsati Ganjavi, Azerbaijan’s first poetess and chess player, a bright representative of the Muslim Orient, took place in the French city of Melouse, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, December 10.

 

Allen Tremolier, the host of the concert, organized at the Church of Saint Étienne of Melouse, mentioned that, being the pearl of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan was situated in the South Caucasus, on the ancient Silk Way, at a strategic point between the East and the West, a homeland ofZoroastrianism, valued as one of the cradles of the humanity.  

   

Bringing to attention that Azerbaijan bestowed geniuses upon the world literature and music, the host mentioned that the first democratic republic in the Muslim Orient was built in Azerbaijan, women here were granted the right to vote, and the first theatre, opera, ballet and national academy in the Muslim Orient were created in this country, and that along with its subsoil resources, Azerbaijan had a rich historical and cultural heritage.

 

He stated that cultural ties between Azerbaijan and France have unique historical routes: “Great French poet Alexander Duma’s (father) trip to Azerbaijan in the second half of the 19^th century, translation by George Sand of famous  “Koroghlu” epic poem into French, publication of the collection “The Caucasus” at the beginning of the 19^th century in Paris, Azerbaijani writer Umbulbanu Aasadullayeva’s living and creating in France, and, finally, the meeting of Charles de-Gaulle, who has played a significant part in the public and political life of France, with French hero Ahmadiyya Jabrayilov are  bright examples of the friendship between our peoples.”

 

“Historically established friendly ties are continued today, and they have become stronger due to organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The cultural events held by the Foundation in France to acquaint the French with Azerbaijan more closely are worth appreciation. The exhibitions and concerts held last month in Reims, and today in Melouse, to mark the 900^th jubilee of Azerbaijan’s eminent poetess Mahsati Ganjavi are the continuation of the cultural events being held by the Foundation in France.”

 

The host noted that Mahsati Ganjavi lived and created in Ganja, the second largest city of Azerbaijan, and that, at a contest organized by the European Youth Forum, Ganja city was chosen “Europe’s Youth Capital” of the year 2016.

 

Delivering a speech at the event, dean of the University of Upper Alsace Greta Komur-Thilloy talked of Mahsati Ganjavi creativity’s main qualities, and brought to attention that works by the Azerbaijani  poetess talked of human ideas.

 

In his speech, Composer of the work “Khojaly-613” Pierre Thilloy informed the audience of music instruments belonging to our people, saying that Azerbaijan had ancient and rich culture.

 

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbeyov mentioned various cultural events held, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, in various regions of France, and said this concert and exhibition were among the events intended to be held in 2013.

 

Then, works by Azerbaijani composers, songs composed to lyrics by Mahsati Ganjavi and samples of folk arts were performed by masters of art.

 

And the exhibition organized on the occasion of the 900^th jubilee of Mahsati Ganjavi was opened at “Fundari” palace of France.

 

Opening the exhibition, rector of the University of Upper Alsace Christine Gangloff-Ziegler recalled her trip to Ganja and visit to the monument to Mahsati Ganjavi. She talked of the perspectives of the cooperation between the headed by her university and the State Agrarian University, the Ganja State University and the Azerbaijan Technology University, and possibilities of exchange of students.  

Mayor of the city of Melouse Jean Rottner said organization of such exhibitions and concerts played a significant role in developing friendly ties between the two nations. She highly appreciated the cultural events held by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to promote Azerbaijan in France, and noted that, along with economic relations in cooperation between our countries, cultural ties too are of vital importance.

 

Ambassador Elchin Amirbeyov informed the visitors of the exhibition of the life and creativity of Mahsati Ganjavi.  E.Amirbeyov said, although 900 years have passed since the time when the the ideas and thoughts were given in the poetess’s works, they still keep their urgency.

 

E.Amirbeyov said, in order for the poetess was better known to the world public, her works written in Farsi and Arabic have been published in foreign languages by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

 

E.Amirbeyov underlined that exhibits related to the poetess’s era were demonstrated at the exhibitions organized in Paris, Reims and Melouse.

 

The exhibition and concert were attended by officials of the Melouse municipality and Alsace region, deputies, senators, representatives of the city public, as well as representatives of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora.

 

The exhibition will continue through December 20.