Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his official social network accounts on the occasion of 17 November- National Revival Day.

This autumn, the City of Winds has become a unique international arts platform, hosting world-renowned stars of theater, music, dance, and opera, Azernews reports.

Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF 2025) took place at the city’s finest venues, including the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, the Azerbaijan National Drama Theater, the Azerbaijan State Musical Theater, and many others.

The festival united classics and modernity, global masterpieces and the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, providing a platform for traditions and innovation, a dialogue between East and West.

The large-scale event provided a great platform, which promotes cultural exchange, unites diverse communities and strengthens Baku’s position as an international cultural destination.

The Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF 2025) officially started at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall with a concert of Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov, accompanied by the State Academic Symphony Orchestra. The concert program included works by Gara Garayev, Dmitry Shostakovich and Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

Venetian Dream – City’s Enigmatic Beauty and Mysteries

One of the most striking and memorable moments of the festival was a unique performance of “TITIZÉ – A Venetian Dream” directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the author of productions for Cirque du Soleil, Olympic ceremonies and leading international theaters.

“TITIZÉ – A Venetian Dream” is a wordless, acrobatic circus-theater production by Daniele Finzi Pasca that blends tradition and innovation to evoke the essence of Venice. It is about a fantastical character named Titizé navigating a surreal, dreamlike version of Venice, which combines the city’s magic, masquerades, and history with the company’s signature style of clownery, acrobatics, and visual poetry.

The set design and performance aim to capture the atmosphere, magic, and mystery of Venice through elements like reflections, masks, and surreal rain.

Shakespearean Passions: Story of Love and Betrayal

“Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” was also a highlight of the festival, masterfully crafted by world-famous stage director Robert Lepage and choreographer Guillaume Cote.

Baku audiences were able to see Lepage’s new work long before audiences in many European countries. The world premiere of the play was held in Toronto in April 2024 to great success.

The European premiere took place in May of that year at the International Shakespeare Festival (Le Festivalul International Shakespeare) in Craiova, Romania. Since the play did not tour Europe after that, Baku was able to see it before many European capitals, including Paris.

Robert Lepage first approached the theme of “Hamlet” in the mid-1990s, with a work he presented as a one-man play called “Elsinore.” Ten years later, he created a solo play in Moscow called “Hamlet | Collage.” Here, a single actor plays all the characters, and the stage is in the form of a tilted, rotating cube. This time, Shakespearean passions flared up on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater.

“Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” is more than a performance; it’s an innovative interpretation in which dance becomes the primary mode of expression. In moments where contemporary choreography blends with classical elements, the poetic lines take on fresh and profound meanings. The performance in Baku was met with great interest.

Leo Tolstoy’s Tragedy Re-Imagined On Stage

Furthermore, the festival’s guests enjoyed a production “Anna Karenina”, directed by Rimas Tuminas, with the participation of Israel’s Gesher Theater and the French Les Gemeaux Theater.

Rimas Tuminas created a new adaptation of “Anna Karenina” in 2023, offering a theatrical interpretation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel. The adaptation explores themes of love, betrayal, and unhappiness.

The audience in the hall watched the stage unfold with rapt attention, and at the performance’s conclusion, they greeted the actors with a standing ovation, unwilling to let them leave. Rimas Tuminas’ signature theatrical style, reminiscent of “Anna Karenina”, shines through in this production, marked by his distinctive blend of steadfast irony and a deeply philosophical perspective on life.

Rite of Spring: Cycles of Life and Death

Yang Liping Contemporary Dance added even more richness to the Baku International Arts Festival.

Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” is re-imagined in a grand-scale interpretation by the Chinese choreographer Yang Liping.

Her adaptation revitalizes Eastern philosophy and ancient rituals, emphasizing the cycles of life and death, and delivers a striking visual and choreographic experience that stands as a truly original work.

It reflects on life, death, sacrifice, and spiritual rebirth, centered on a willing mediator and their journey of purification through sacrifice.

Igor Stravinsky’s music, arranged by composer He Xuntian, is enriched with Tibetan intonations, further enhancing the mystical and ritual atmosphere. The performance was created by an international creative team consisting of visual artist Tim Yip, lighting designer Fabiana Piccioli and video artist Tobias Gremmler.

Eternal Masterpieces: Triumph of Classical Music

Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF 2025) has wrapped up with a magnificent classical music concert.

The closing ceremony took place at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall, bringing together music and art enthusiasts.

Rector of the Baku Music Academy, People’s Artist Farhad Badalbayli and renowned violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky delighted the audience with their performances.

The concert program featured the Azerbaijan State Academic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Murtuza Bulbul and the Baku State Chamber Orchestra conducted by Fuad Ibrahimov.

The festival brilliantly demonstrated the harmony of tradition and innovation by presenting classical and contemporary art, famous works by world composers, and the rich heritage of Azerbaijani culture.

The 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has taken place in Dubai, UAE, under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Societies”, Azernews reports.

More than 3,000 museum professionals from around the world participated in the conference. This year, the ICOM conference was held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region.

Asmar Babayeva, Chair of the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee, Associate Professor at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, PhD in Philosophy, international expert in creative industries, and member of the Board of Directors of Azerkhalcha OJSC, participated in the event.

Held every three years, this conference serves as a platform for the exchange of views among the international museum community and the expansion of cooperation between museums.

The conference program included more than ten keynote sessions, over 400 speakers, over 100 papers, panels, and workshops, as well as a number of cutting-edge interactive educational sessions.

At the conference, Asmar Babayeva presented the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee’s activities for 2023-2025 to an international museum audience, including past events, international conferences, and innovations in the country’s museum life.

“Azerbaijan’s participation in such a large-scale international platform confirms our country’s active role in the development of the global museum community. We presented innovations in museum life, past events, and international conferences. A museum is a non-profit organization that researches, collects, preserves, interprets, and displays tangible and intangible heritage, continually serving society. Accessible and inclusive museums promote diversity and sustainable development by offering a variety of educational, entertaining, and educational experiences, operating ethically, professionally, and with community participation,” Asmar Babayeva said.

Azerbaijan was also represented by members of the ICOM National Committee of Azerbaijan: Aybeniz Aliyeva, Head of the Fine Arts Sector of the Arts and Intangible Cultural Heritage Department at the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry; Alla Bayramova, Director of the Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture; Turan Hasanova, Assistant to the Chairperson of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve; Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; Shirin Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum; Tural Ibrahimov, Director of the Surakhani Ship Museum; Vugar Isayev, Director of the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve as well as professional staff from various museums.

Each country representative participated in the work of their respective ICOM committees and presented their reports.

A digest titled “From National Revival to Independence” has been prepared at the Jafar Jabbarli Republican Youth Library on the occasion of National Revival Day, Azernews reports.

The project aims to draw the attention of young people to the National Revival Day, which is forever engraved in the historical memory of the Azerbaijani people.

The digest, prepared by library employees, includes valuable opinions of prominent figures and the full text of the article titled “Our greatest achievement is our eternal revival and independence” regarding the glorious history of this day.

It also provides users with bibliographic descriptions, brief contents, and links to articles published in the periodical press from 2015 to 2025.

The digest titled “From National Revival to Independence” has been posted on the library’s official website.

Moreover, a book exhibition titled “November 17 – National Revival Day” has been opened in the library, which includes about 40 books and periodical press samples.

Azerbaijan celebrates National Revival Day on November 17. The history of this holiday is linked to the national liberation movement that began in the country in November-December 1988. During that period, an anti-Soviet popular movement arose in Azerbaijan due to the Soviet leadership’s anti-Azerbaijani policies.

On November 17, 1988, the Azerbaijani people began holding rallies in Azadlig Square (then Lenin Square).

Millions of people gathered in the square to protest Moscow’s anti-Azerbaijani policies. In early December, the USSR’s internal troops dispersed the rallies. However, Moscow was no longer able to resist the national liberation movement of the Azerbaijani people.

On November 17, 1990, the inaugural session of the Supreme Council of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with its newly elected members, took place. During this session, the terms “Soviet” and “socialist” were removed from the name of the Autonomous Republic.

This marked a key moment in the revival of national statehood, led by the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. The historic session, presided over by Heydar Aliyev, also addressed the adoption of new state symbols for the Autonomous Republic.

Following the discussion, the people’s deputies proposed adopting the tricolour flag as the state symbol.

The session, which decided to restore the tricolour flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, submitted a petition to the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan to adopt it as the state flag. This marked the beginning of a historic journey from national revival to national advancement.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in Armenia to advance President Donald Trump’s vision for regional peace and prosperity, the US Embassy in Yerevan announced on Monday, Azernews reports via Armenian media.

According to the embassy, Under Secretary Hooker will hold meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, and Vice Speaker of Parliament and Special Envoy for Normalisation with Trkiye, Ruben Rubinyan.

‘Ambassador Kvien welcomed Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker to Yerevan to advance the President of the United States’ vision for regional peace and prosperity in the region. She will meet with PM Pashinyan, FM Mirzoyan, National Security Council Secretary Grigoryan, and Special Envoy Rubinyan to discuss next steps in strengthening the US-Armenia strategic partnership through TRIPP and the US-Armenia MOUs,’ the embassy said in a press release.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia outlined in the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani Joint Declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The initiative aims to unlock new strategic economic opportunities by promoting infrastructure investments and enhancing regional transport corridors. TRIPP forms a component of the broader Crossroads of Peace concept.

In addition, Armenia and the United States recently signed three bilateral Memorandums of Understanding covering the Crossroads of Peace Capacity Building Partnership, the AI and Semiconductor Innovation Partnership, and the Energy Security Partnership, all designed to deepen long-term cooperation between the two countries.

An anti-personnel mine explosion occurred while Imamverdiyev Samir Mubariz oglu, an employee of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) born in 1988, was performing his official duty in the Bala Jafarli village of Gazakh, Azernews reports.

As a result of the incident, the employee’s right leg was amputated at the ankle.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a post about the incident on its official ‘X’ account.

The MFA noted that the mine threat continues to claim lives in Azerbaijan.

‘Today, an ANAMA employee was seriously injured in a mine explosion on the Armenian border. Since the end of the 44-day war in 2020 alone, 412 people have been killed by mine explosions.

This humanitarian tragedy, which targets civilians, hinders reconstruction efforts, and prevents safe return, is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

This incident also highlights the urgent need for accelerated and international support for large-scale mine clearance operations,’ the ministry said.

A mine incident occurred on November 17, 2025, in the Bala Jafarli village of the Gazakh region, near the border with Armenia, Azernews reports, citing the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA).

The agency reported that its employee, Imamverdiyev Samir Mubariz oglu, born in 1988, was carrying out official duties when an anti-personnel mine exploded.

“As a result of the incident, the injured employee’s right leg was amputated at the ankle,” the report stated.

Imamverdiyev was evacuated to the central hospital of the district. His condition is satisfactory, and his life is not in danger.

For the first time in Azerbaijan, the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) will feature a leaders’ summit, bringing together heads of state and government to discuss the future of cities, says Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and national coordinator of WUF13, during a briefing dedicated to the diplomatic corps, Azernews reports.

According to him, Azerbaijan is introducing a series of new initiatives to enhance the forum’s significance and impact. The leaders’ summit will mark an innovative first for WUF, providing a platform for political leaders to engage directly on urban development and sustainability, highlighting Azerbaijan’s intent to play a key role in shaping global priorities.

He noted that the country aims to usher in a new era of political commitment to sustainable and resilient urban futures. Drawing on lessons from COP29, the ministerial-level sessions at WUF13 will be redesigned to be more interactive, practical, and results-oriented, fostering direct exchanges among ministers, mayors, experts, and practitioners.

This updated format is expected to strengthen political dialogue, accelerate decision-making, and support countries in achieving concrete outcomes for urban and housing priorities. In addition, WUF13 will place special emphasis on extensive and meaningful participation from cities and local governments.

WUF13 is scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026. The forum is organized in collaboration between the Azerbaijani government and the UN-HABITAT Program of the United Nations and will bring together representatives from governments, municipalities, the private sector, civil society, youth and academic circles, as well as international organizations from around the world.

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-2025) has officially opened today at the Baku Convention Center, marking the first time this major event of the CIS region is being hosted in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

It is worth noting that the conference is organized every four years by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Running through November 28, the event aims to narrow the digital divide among countries and promote digital transformation. It will also serve as an international platform open to young people, helping them gain knowledge about global technological trends, engage with leading experts in the field, and build cooperation opportunities that enhance their competitiveness worldwide.

More than 2,000 participants from 150 countries – including over 300 young delegates – are expected to attend WTDC-2025.

Within the framework of the conference, ITU’s 194 member states are expected to adopt a declaration outlining key priorities for the years ahead.

Since November 13, Spain has prohibited the outdoor breeding of chickens – a measure introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture as part of new efforts to combat the spread of avian influenza amid a rise in cases across Europe, Azernews reports.

The ban applies nationwide, including to organic farms and small-scale holdings for personal consumption.

According to 20minutos, Spain lies on a major migratory route used by birds traveling from Northern Europe to Africa for the winter. These wild species can carry the virus and transmit it to domestic birds through direct contact. Once avian influenza enters a poultry farm, the spread accelerates due to close confinement and exposure to contaminated secretions. Free-range chickens are particularly vulnerable, as they are more likely to encounter infected wild birds.

The World Health Organization has documented 103 human cases of the virus between 2020 and January 2025, though no instances of human-to-human transmission have been reported. Spain detected two human cases between 2020 and 2024.

Beyond the public health concerns, outbreaks also pose significant economic and animal welfare challenges. Since July 18, 2025, Spain has lost its bird flu-free status, preventing the export of poultry products. Under EU regulations and national protocols, every outbreak results in the suspension of all farm operations, the culling of all poultry, and the destruction of feed, water, and other potentially contaminated materials.

Agricultural experts warn that prolonged restrictions on free-range farming could reshape Spain’s poultry industry, pushing producers to adopt more biosecure indoor systems. Some fear this may also influence consumer preferences, especially in a country where demand for organic and free-range products has been steadily rising.