III Maiden Tower International Art Festival launched in Baku at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation

III Maiden Tower International Art Festival was launched in Kichik Karvansara in Icherisheher, 17 May. 

The Festival is organized by Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Office, the Museum of Modern Art and Gyz Galasy Art Gallery at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Addressing the event, Chief of Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Office Mikayil Jabbarov told that the Art Festival is held with the view of promoting the Maiden Tower, which has been included into UNESCO’s World Heritage List and is considered the symbol of the capital. Famous artists from 24 countries participate in the Festival. They will decorate little models of the tower with national ornaments and create works reflecting synthesis and mutual exchange of various cultures and traditions. He expressed gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, for the support to the event.

M.Jabbarov noted within IDEA environmental campaign the gazelle models will be also prepared and presented in order to draw attention to the "Caucasus five". This aims to raise international awareness about this rare animal in Azerbaijan. The models will be decorated by artists having participated in previous festivals, who are considered the Festivals’ friends. Another distinctive feature of this year’s festival is a video-mapping technology that will be presented on Maiden Tower. 

In the closing ceremony of the Festival, Maiden Tower will reflect colorful images via the projection of Maiden Tower models created in the previous festivals according to the architecture of the monument. Modern post-production video techs will be used for this purpose. To cover the surface of Maiden Tower with the 360º images, the monument will be projected from 7 varied points with 30 projectors. This show will be realized on May 29.

People’s Artist of USSR Tahir Salahov, Head of Museum of Modern Art Jeyhun Agakishibeyli and Head of Gyz Galasy Art Gallery Emin Mammadov emphasized the care and attention provided in the past years to culture and art by President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva.

They underlined participation of artists from different countries in the Festival enlarges the Festival’s geography and strengthens the intercultural dialogue.

The speakers wished success to the participants.

Preparation and decoration of gazelle models started at 14.00 in the square in front of Maiden Tower.

Up to now, more than 40 artists from different countries have taken part in this festival.

Latvian artist Marius Abramavichius said he is partaking in the Festival for the third time. Expressing delight of realization of such a festival in Baku, the artist said he has helped his colleagues join the Festival. 

Visiting Baku for the first time, artist from Brazil Silvia Poloto expressed regret for not coming to Azerbaijan so far. “I could never imagine that a country can achieve such a high-level development for the short time after gaining independence. I will try to often visit Baku. I have already acquired new friends here.”, she said.

The Festival will be closed May 19.