Category: Azer News

Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art Weekend will feature water as its central element and main theme across various presentations, according to Azernews.

One of these presentations will be held at the Museum of Stone Chronicles, where the pantomime performance ‘The Secret of Water’ will be staged as part of Art Weekend, a festival that promotes meaningful dialogue with the international art world.

Specially created for the ‘Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW’ festival, the performance is authored by People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and pantomime actor Perviz Mammadrzayev. The production portrays the eternal bond between humans and water.

Alongside Perviz Mammadrzayev, seven actors are involved in the project. The play dramatizes humanity’s search for water – the source of life. The premiere will take place on November 1.

Held in the capital from October 31 to November 2, the Art Weekend project was initiated and conceptualized by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union.

The festival aims to present Baku as a global cultural capital – a city that harmoniously combines tradition and modernity, unites diverse perspectives, and inspires future generations.

From October 30 to November 2, 2025, the capital of Azerbaijan will once again become a global hub for dance arts: the grand Azerbaijan Dance Festival will take place at the JW Marriott Absheron Baku hotel, Azernews reports.

As part of the festival, prestigious international competitions will be held, including the WDC AL World Championships, WDC European Championships, and Pro-Am World Cups in the Ballroom, Latin, and Smooth categories for solo and couple performers across all age groups: from children and juniors to adults, professionals, and Pro-Am participants. The highlight of the celebration will be the spectacular gala show, Night of the Dancing Diamonds.

The festival is organized by the Azerbaijan Dance Council (AZDC), led by People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Tarana Muradova, and the company Smooth and Rhythm Dance Style (SRDS), headed by its founder and president Olga Krasyanskaya.

The main mission of the festival is to emphasize the importance of developing competitive ballroom dancing in Azerbaijan, strengthen cultural values, and showcase the synthesis of sport and artistic expression within this art form. The project aims to attract youth, foster harmony of mind and body, and prepare new Azerbaijani dance couples capable of representing the country at global championships.

Main Festival Events:

WDC European Championship in the Professional Smooth category

Open Championships Open to the World** in Ballroom, Latin, and Smooth (Super Trophy SRDS Ranking Event series)

WDC AL World Championships for all age categories in Smooth and Solo Smooth programs

Open Championships for amateurs, juniors, seniors, and soloists

Competitions in Salsa, Bachata, and Argentine Tango styles

Pro-Am Events in Ballroom, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm, Argentine Tango, and Caribbean Mix categories

World Pro-Am Dance Cup – a stage in the World Series with double points

Congress and Gala Show

On October 30-31, the International Dance Congress, organized by the Azerbaijan Dance Council, will take place. Participants will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses and private lessons from leading global instructors in the International Ballroom, Latin, and Smooth dance styles.

On October 31, viewers can enjoy the unique “Night of the Dancing Diamonds” gala show, featuring the world’s best dance couples. This year, the show holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Tarana Muradova.

On November 1, the main competitions of the festival will take place, including the World Smooth Championships for all age categories and the European Professional Championships in Smooth, a first in the history of WDC and the Azerbaijan Dance Festival. On the same day, guests will have the opportunity to take a tour of historic Baku, followed by a festive gala dinner and dance program.

On November 2, the festival will make its debut in the World Cup Pro-Am series, which includes 15 exclusive stages worldwide. The event will conclude with a farewell party, “My Azerbaijan”.

The Azerbaijan Dance Festival and Night of the Dancing Diamonds are not just competitions and shows, but a grand cultural event that brings together sport, art, and inspiration.

For ticket purchase, visit iTicket.Az.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev claimed on Thursday that United States President Donald Trump, whom he described as a false peacemaker, has set himself on a “warpath” against his country by introducing new sanctions on its oil sector, Azernews reports.

“They will, of course, say he could not help but be pressured in Congress, etc. This does not change the main point: the decisions taken are an act of war against Russia,” the former president wrote on Telegram.

“And now, Trump has fully aligned himself with insane Europe.”

Moreover, Medvedev noted a “latest swing of the Trump pendulum,” claiming that the US leader decided to focus on reaching “victory precisely where it is possible. On the ground, not behind a desk.”

The Chairman of the Management Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC met with the President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to discuss the implementation of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on geological exploration and the acceleration of related operations in the Ustyurt Plateau, Azernews reports, citing Uzbekneftegaz.

The meeting took place within the framework of the “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025” (OGT-2025) international exhibition and conference.

During the talks, both sides agreed on a set of measures aimed at expediting fieldwork, ensuring the necessary technical and logistical support, and enhancing the efficiency of the project’s current phase.

The parties also outlined plans to deepen cooperation in the application of artificial intelligence tools, digital solutions, and automated management systems. These technologies are expected to boost production efficiency, optimize costs, and strengthen environmental sustainability.

It should be noted that in August 2024, Uzbekneftegaz and SOCAR signed a cooperation agreement in the hydrocarbon industry, initiating geological studies – including seismic exploration – and preparatory work for hydrocarbon production in the Ustyurt Plateau.

Azerbaijan’s literary has been promoted at Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany, Azernews reports.

This year, the fair once again united thousands of publishers, authors, translators, booksellers, and cultural figures from across the globe.

Azerbaijan participated in one of the world’s largest publishing events, with an expansive pavilion, backed by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The pavilion featured works by Azerbaijan’s renowned writers and poets, modern Azerbaijani publications, examples of children’s literature, and publications reflecting the country’s national culture and heritage, all of which attracted the attention of visitors.

During the fair, the Azerbaijani delegation held exhibitions, presentations, and international meetings. Cooperation opportunities with foreign publishers were discussed, and new agreements were reached to promote Azerbaijani literature on the global stage.

The Frankfurt International Book Fair is considered one of the main events in the global book industry, bringing together over 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

The main purpose of Azerbaijan’s participation was to promote the country’s publishing and book industry, national literature, and cultural potential at an international level.

The Azerbaijani pavilion was met with great interest from visitors.

It is expected that the connections made during the fair will contribute to the development of literary and cultural collaborations in the future.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest global event for the publishing industry, centered on the international exchange of book rights, networking, and exploring emerging trends and technologies in publishing.

Held every October, it is regarded as the key event for international book transactions and highlights a “Guest of Honour” country each year to spotlight its literature and cultural heritage.

The 2025 Frankfurt International Book Fair is a major event in the publishing world.

It will host thousands of exhibitors engaging in rights and license negotiations, with the Philippines honored as the official Guest of Honor.

Notable features include a special Book-to-Screen Day, focusing on the adaptation of books into films and games, along with a variety of events, exhibitions, and guided tours throughout the fair.

The autumn sowing campaign has begun in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil District, Azernews reports.

According to projections, autumn grain crops will be planted across 13,340 hectares this season. Of this area, 1,710 hectares are expected to be irrigated farmland, ensuring higher yields and more efficient cultivation.

As part of the preparation process, local farmers have already ploughed over 9,657 hectares, representing 72 percent of the planned sowing area. Notably, 9,200 hectares of the cultivated land are located in territories liberated from occupation, reflecting the ongoing restoration of agricultural activity in the region.

So far, 221 hectares have been sown, including 85 hectares of wheat and 136 hectares of barley.

The sowing campaign in Jabrayil is part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to revitalize agricultural production in the liberated territories, enhance food security, and support rural livelihoods through sustainable farming initiatives.

Another Azerbaijani boxer has secured a spot in the semifinals at the European U15 Boxing Championships in Budva, Montenegro, Azernews reports.

Nasrin Abdullazade earned this opportunity by defeating Esila Yildirim (Turkiye) in the quarterfinals.

Competing in the 40 kg category, the national team member won with a 5:0 score (29:28, 30:27, 30:27, 30:27, 29:28). With this victory, Abdullazade has at least secured a bronze medal.

Abdullazade will fight for a spot in the final against Ellie May Featherson (Ireland) on October 23.

A total of 369 boxers from 32 countries participate in the European U15 Boxing Championships.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been selected several times to host major boxing events.

The country previously hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the main qualification tournament for the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, marking the first youth competition to act as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.

It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, Azernews reports.

“The current level of interstate relations with Hungary, our friendly country and strategic partner, is gratifying. Undoubtedly, mutual visits, regular contacts, and close cooperation create favorable conditions for the further development and strengthening of these relations.

The scope of issues currently on our bilateral agenda is very broad. It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day and that our fruitful partnership in the energy sector is developing on an upward trajectory. The intensity of our political dialogue plays an important role in enriching our joint activities in all areas with new content.

I would like to specifically highlight our cooperation within international organizations, particularly the Organization of Turkic States. Our participation this year in the organization’s summits – mine in Budapest and yours in Gabala – clearly demonstrates the importance we attach to further strengthening the unity and solidarity between our peoples and states, as well as expanding our relations on the multilateral stage.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to further strengthen and deepen the friendly relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, in line with the will of our peoples,” President Ilham Aliyev said.

On October 23 every year, the world comes together to observe International Snow Leopard Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of one of the planet’s most elusive and endangered animals, the snow leopard, Azernews reports.

The day was established in 2013, following the Global Snow Leopard Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where world leaders and conservationists gathered to address the urgent need to protect the snow leopard population, which has been dwindling.

Delegates from 12 countries where snow leopards are found came together to develop the Bishkek Declaration, a framework for ensuring the protection of the species.

The declaration included commitments to improve national conservation efforts, strengthen international collaboration, and increase funding for snow leopard conservation.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the irbis, is a large wild cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and the rugged mountains of the Greater Caucasus. These beautiful creatures play a significant role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. As apex predators, snow leopards help regulate populations of prey species, which in turn helps preserve the fragile mountain environments they inhabit.

Despite their importance to the ecosystem, snow leopards face an uncertain future. It is estimated that fewer than 7,000 snow leopards remain in the wild. Their population is severely threatened by illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and loss of prey species.

The snow leopard is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and it is included in Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which prohibits international trade in its body parts.

United Nations recognizes snow leopard’s ecological role

In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution officially designating October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. This resolution emphasized the critical role that snow leopards play in the conservation of mountain ecosystems, which are vital for supplying water and other natural resources to a significant portion of the global population.

By acknowledging the snow leopard’s role in protecting the ecological balance of these mountainous regions, the UN highlighted the importance of conserving not only the species but also the delicate environments in which they live.

Countries that signed the resolution included those from the snow leopard`s range, such as Afghanistan, China, India,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations, where snow leopards roam in their high-altitude habitats, have pledged to work together to ensure the protection of the species and its ecosystem.

Azerbaijan’s role in snow leopard conservation

In Azerbaijan, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been actively involved in the conservation of the snow leopard population since 2001.

The conservation of the Caucasian snow leopards has been one of the most important activities undertaken by WWF in Azerbaijan since 2001.

This program has been supported by the International Dialogue for Environmental Protection, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the head of the IDEA Public Union.

The efforts in Azerbaijan are part of a broader initiative that includes monitoring snow leopard populations, establishing protected areas, and working with local communities to promote sustainable practices that support both wildlife and human livelihoods.

The Azerbaijani wrestler Elmir Aliyev (55 kg) has become a world champion for the first time, Azernews reports.

Elmir Aliyev (55 kg) faced Russian Alibek Amirov in the final of the U-23 World Wrestling Championship in Serbia.

The national wrestler avenged his loss to Amirov in the semifinals of the championship, winning 3-2.

The next victory came from Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kg). In the consolation match, he defeated Ukrainian Oleg Khalilov 3-1, and in the bronze medal match, he won against Armenian Gaspar Terteryan with the same score, 3-1.

With one day remaining in the Greco-Roman wrestling competition, our team has set a new record in terms of the number of medals.

For the first time, the Azerbaijani team has won two gold medals at the U-23 World Wrestling Championship

On the previous day, Ziya Babashov (63 kg) claimed the highest position on the podium.

Note that the Azerbaijani team includes Elmir Aliyev (55 kg), Ilkin Gurbanov (60 kg), Ziya Babashov (63 kg), Faraim Mustafayev (67 kg), Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kg), Davud Mammadov (77 kg), Elmin Aliyev (82 kg), Lachin Valiyev (87 kg), Ali Guliyev (97 kg), and Aykhan Mardanov (130 kg).

They are competing at the tournament under the leadership of head coach Aleksandr Tarakanov, senior coach Rovshan Bayramov, and coaches Hasan Aliyev and Kamran Mammadov.

The female athletes representing Azerbaijan are Asmar Jankurtaran (50 kg), Elnura Mammadova (53 kg), Gultakin Shirinova (55 kg), Nargiz Samadova (57 kg), Gunay Gurbanova (59 kg), Birgul Soltanova (62 kg), and Ruzanna Mammadova (65 kg).

Women wrestlers have entered the competition under the leadership of acting head coach Togrul Asgarov, senior coach Aghahuseyn Mustafayev, and coach Solmaz Adilova.

Freestyle wrestlers will compete in the final days of the tournament, including Muhammadali Alizade (57 kg), Jeykhun Allahverdiyev (61 kg), Aykhan Abdullazad? (65 kg), Kanan Heybatov (70 kg), Magomed-Bashir Khaniyev (74 kg), Farid Jabbarov (79 kg), Ali Tsokayev (86 kg), Sadig Mustafazade (92 kg), Zafar Aliyev (97 kg), and Khetag Karsanov (125 kg), under the leadership of head coach Khetag Gazyumov, senior coach Jabrayil Hasanov, and coaches Taymuraz Kokoyev and Sharif Sharifov.

The World Championship is officiated by Category I referee Asif Shiraliyev, as well as Category I referees Kamran Aliyev and Habib Nurulu.

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the country and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

The Rio Olympic Games marked a new chapter in Azerbaijan’s wrestling history, as the nation became one of only two countries ever to increase its medal count in five consecutive Olympic Games.

In 2020, Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal table of the Individual World Cup in Serbia.

National wrestlers won two medals, including silver and bronze. Russia topped the medal table, followed by Turkiye.

In 2022, Azerbaijani wrestler Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg) was crowned the World Champion in Belgrade.

Nurmagomedov became the World Champion after defeating the Russian wrestler in the final.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg), freestyle wrestlers Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) won bronze medals for Azerbaijan.