Category: Azer News

The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra has captivated the audience with a magnificent concert at the State Academic Philharmonic Hall, Azernews reports.

The concert was conducted by People’s Artist and conductor Ayyyub Guliyev. Alongside the orchestra, the gifted violinist Dilara Mehdiyeva-Kurtaran performed as a soloist, with her interpretation of the program’s pieces adding an emotional touch to the evening.

The concert’s program was diverse and rich in variety. The audience was treated to a unique performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s String Quartet in E minor, presented for the first time in Baku in a string orchestra arrangement.

The program continued with compositions by Azerbaijani composer Agshin Alizadeh, including the vibrant “Asiqsayagi” and the expressive “Pastoral,” which beautifully highlighted national melodies and the sophistication of the composer’s style.

A special mood was set by the Serenade from the “Music of the Night” cycle by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, performed with a deeply emotional and intimate quality, enveloping the audience in a meditative atmosphere.

The evening concluded with one of the world’s most beloved pieces, Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” filled with passionate tango rhythms and the dramatic flair characteristic of the Argentine composer.

The evening ended with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the continued appreciation of Baku’s audience for both global and Azerbaijani classical music.

The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra was established in 1964 through the initiative of Azerbaijani classical music icons Gara Garayev and Fikrat Amirov.

The ensemble’s first chief conductor and artistic director was People’s Artist and state award laureate Nazim Rzayev.

Throughout its over fifty-year history, the orchestra has graced many prestigious venues across the globe, participated in renowned international festivals, and helped promote Azerbaijani musical heritage.

In recognition of its significant contribution to the global promotion of Azerbaijani classical music, the orchestra received the national Humay Prize in 2007.

Since 2018, the orchestra has been under the leadership of People’s Artist Fakhraddin Karimov, who serves as its artistic director and chief conductor.

A total of two million manat ($1.18 million) has been allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads for the major repair of the Zardab-Malikumudlu-Challi-Salahli-Huseynkhanli-Khanmammadli highway in the Zardab district, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, for major repair of the above highway, connecting five residential settlements with a total population of 8,000 people, an initial amount of 2 million manat ($1.18 million) has been allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads from the funds specified in Subparagraph 1.19.21 of the ‘Distribution of State Capital Investments (investment expenditures) provided for in the 2025 state budget,’ approved by Presidential Decree No. 445 dated January 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan must ensure the financing in the amount specified in Part 1 of this decree.

The Ministry of Economy must include the necessary funds for continuing the major repair of this road in the distribution of state capital investment expenditures in the draft state budget for 2026.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must resolve the issues arising from this decree.

The film industry has become a key platform for cultural exchange and creative collaboration among CIS countries.

Modern film production not only reflects the rich histories and identities of these nations but also boosts connections between filmmakers, audiences, and creative institutions across the region.

CIS countries are enhancing their cinematic networks while preserving a shared cultural heritage through the universal language of film.

A roundtable on “The Development of Modern Film Production in CIS Countries” brought together industry experts to discuss opportunities for collaboration and the advancement of cinema across the region.

Moderated by producer and actor Azer Aydemir, the event featured a speech by Masim Mammadov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Lachin. He spoke about the infrastructure projects being carried out in the region and noted that special attention is given to cultural development in Lachin. One of the first cultural institutions established in the city is the Hoçazfilm studio, and Lachin offers numerous interesting locations for film shooting.

Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov emphasized that culture serves as a spiritual bridge connecting peoples, while cinema is one of the most powerful artistic tools for reflecting a nation’s history, cultural identity, and worldview.

He added that the Azerbaijani government has made the development of cinematography a strategic priority. In recent years, significant institutional steps have been taken, new financing mechanisms established, and the international integration of the creative environment strengthened.

Over the past three years, the Azerbaijan Film Agency (ARKA), operating under the Culture Ministry, has financially supported the production of more than 70 state-commissioned film projects, over 50 of which have already been presented to audiences.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan’s film production cost rebate mechanism has created favorable conditions for filming in the country, making Azerbaijan an attractive location for international producers.

The Azerbaijani side stressed the importance of further expanding collaboration in cinema among CIS countries. Initiatives are being proposed to support co-production projects, joint script laboratories, experience exchange among young filmmakers, and regional film forums. Within this framework, joint productions such as “Molla Nasreddin, My Friend in Difficult Days” help express the shared cultural heritage and spiritual closeness of peoples through the language of cinema.

Other speakers at the event included Tair Iksanov, Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS Countries; Rovshan Muradov, Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; Gurban Pirimov, ARKA Deputy Director General; Amil Mamibayli, Director of Hoçazfilm studio; Ali-Sattar Guliyev, Director of Nizami Cinema Center; Svetlana Semashko from Belarus; Rabiyya Mirlanova, Senior Specialist at Kyrgyzfilm studio; Yekaterina Svirina, Advisor to the CEO of Roskino JSC; Akmal Abdullozoda from Tajikfilm; Mannob Kuchkarov from the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency; and many others.

The discussion focused on the prospects for collaboration in cinema among CIS countries and highlighted the significance of joint projects.

In his address to participants, President Ilham Aliyev underscored that Azerbaijan has increasingly become a venue for global dialogue on digital transformation – a direction aligned with the country’s broader ambitions to strengthen its position in the global ICT landscape.

Today, the accelerating rise of the digital economy reflects big structural changes in global development. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have evolved from supportive tools into foundational drivers of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. Governments and enterprises now rely on digitalization as a strategic instrument – enabling streamlined operations, advanced analytics, predictive decision-making, and optimized resource management. These capabilities have become essential for building modern governance systems, ensuring economic resilience, and improving public services.

Azerbaijan hosts WTDC for the first time in the CIS region – WTDC-25, organized in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), was held in Baku from November 17 to 28 – marking the first time the conference has been hosted in the CIS region. The event brought together 2,500 participants from more than 160 countries, including ministerial-level representatives from about 60 nations.

The conference plays a strategic role in shaping global ICT policy. Its core mission is to bridge the digital divide, accelerate digital transformation, and support developing countries in adopting effective and inclusive technological solutions. By hosting WTDC-25, Azerbaijan further strengthened its reputation as a regional leader in technological policy and innovation, while positioning Baku as a neutral platform for international digital cooperation.

A major outcome of WTDC-25 was the adoption of the Baku Action Plan – the primary guidance document for global digital development for the period 2026-2029. The plan outlines the strategic direction for human-centric and inclusive digital growth, emphasising the needs of developing nations, underserved communities, and vulnerable groups.

The relevance of this commitment is underscored by a pressing global challenge: more than two billion people worldwide still lack internet access. The Baku Action Plan aims to address this disparity by advancing universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity, essential for ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are shared across all societies.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating: ‘WTDC-25 has brought us closer to our goal of ensuring universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for everyone, everywhere, in this decade. The Baku Declaration and Action Plan serve as our human-centric digital development roadmap that leaves no one behind.’

The Action Plan includes new and updated resolutions that will guide the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), setting clear technical priorities for expert groups working on issues such as cybersecurity, ICT regulation, digital inclusion, and next-generation network development.

Crucially, the plan also incorporates regional initiatives tailored to the digital needs of the ITU’s six global regions. These initiatives outline priorities ranging from infrastructure deployment and enhancement of digital skills to the development of inclusive digital public services. To implement these ambitions, the ITU will work to build partnerships and mobilise financial and technical resources, ensuring that commitments translate into practical results.

Azerbaijan’s own progress illustrates how digitalisation drives development across multiple sectors. Public service innovation remains one of the country’s most visible achievements. Platforms like SIMA Imza, developed by ‘AzInTelecom’ LLC under AZCON Holding, are redefining how citizens interact with government. Through SIMA, users can access more than 100 electronic services, authenticate their identity via facial recognition, and sign official documents remotely. Such systems demonstrate how cloud-based digital solutions can expand access, increase efficiency, and improve user experience.

Institutions such as ASAN Service and DOST Agency have been widely recognised for modernising public services through transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric design. Their success has attracted international attention: 25 countries are currently studying or implementing the ASAN model, positioning it as a globally relevant governance innovation. These platforms do more than simplify bureaucracy – they strengthen public trust, reinforce state-citizen interaction, and promote a more transparent public administration ecosystem.

Azerbaijan’s digital strategy demonstrates that digitalisation is not merely an upgrade to existing systems but a comprehensive engine of economic diversification and social development. From energy and transportation to finance and public administration, digital tools and artificial intelligence are improving efficiency, expanding service access, and increasing transparency.

Hosting WTDC-25 serves both as recognition of Azerbaijan’s achievements and as a catalyst for future progress. The conference has reinforced the country’s role in global digital policy-making and deepened its integration into international ICT cooperation networks.

With continued investment in infrastructure, cyber resilience, cloud technologies, and digital skills, Azerbaijan is well-positioned to transition from being a regional ICT adopter to becoming a regional digital leader, helping shape the global digital agenda.

Baku will, for the first time, step into the “Miyazaki Universe”, a vibrant multimedia concert set to take place on December 19 in the Chamber and Organ Music Hall, Azernews reports.

Audiences will be transported into a realm of enchantment where the music from Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved films comes alive. Much beloved melodies by Joe Hisaishi from Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind will be performed, accompanied by scenes from these timeless stories projected on a large screen.

Music and visuals will blend seamlessly, creating a fully immersive experience as though you have stepped directly into Miyazaki’s world. The chamber ensemble will guide listeners on a journey through sound, space, and imagination, where dreams, magic, and wonder awaken.

The Ars Caspia Ensemble unites outstanding musicians with international acclaim. Their mastery, energy, and refined taste transform every performance into a memorable emotional experience.

The ensemble includes renowned Azerbaijani Honored Artists Renata Abubekirova (first violin), Yulia Motorina (second violin), Alexey Milytykh (cello), and Rena Rahimova (viola), as well as international competition laureates Ravan Ahmedzade (double bass) and Ulviya Dadashova (piano).

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry announced that obsolete and unusable munitions will be safely destroyed in Pirekeshkul and Agdere between December 1 and 5.

Azernews reports that the disposal operation will take place at a training ground near the Pirekeshkul settlement and at a military training center in the Agdere district.

The ministry noted that the process will be conducted strictly in line with safety protocols. Residents in nearby areas may hear the sound of explosions during the operation.

‘We call on the public to remain calm. There is no reason for concern,’ the ministry said, urging citizens not to be alarmed by the noise associated with the controlled detonations.

As part of the Berlin Science Week 2025, Azerbaijani curator and Deputy Chair of I-opener e.V., Zuleykha Ibad, presented a two-part international program titled “Beyond Now: How to Think Like a Forest When You’ve Been Raised by Screens,” which integrates art, science, and ecological thinking, Azernews reports.

“The opening of the festival took place on November 1 at the Berlin Museum of Natural History (Museum fr Naturkunde) and was a key event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Berlin Science Week. The event brought together partners, researchers, and participating organizations, providing a platform for large-scale scientific and cultural dialogue. Representatives of scientific institutions, curators, musicians, and guests from various fields participated in the first meetings and discussions,” said Zuleykha Ibad to Trend Life.

The first part of the program took place at the Mahalla Berlin space and gathered more than 500 visitors over two days. Artists Vincent Jondo and Benjamin Klo explored themes of ecology, memory, and perception through various visual approaches:

Vincent Jondeau combined 19th-century botanical illustrations with photographs of endangered plants, highlighting how nature is gradually becoming invisible.

Benjamin Claux connected microscopic images of meteorites with textiles and digital video, exploring the links between ecological issues and cosmic imagination.

The second part of the program was held at the AirBerlin Alexanderplatz Project Space. It featured a panel discussion with 45 participants on the topics of ecological time, responsibility, and the collaboration between art and science. The discussion included contributions from Oliver Juan, Enrique Torres, and Vincent Jondeau, with Zuleykha Ibad as the moderator. Special attention was given to the ability of art to create emotional and visual access to scientific topics.

The “Beyond Now” program is seen as another significant step by I-opener e.V. in promoting ecological issues through art and fostering sustainable dialogue between different fields of knowledge.

The Azerbaijan National Art Museum will host the concert program “Under the Magic of Painting – from Baroque to the Present Day” on December 2 as part of the “Music in the Museum” project, Azernews reports.

The faculty and students of the Instrumental Performance Department of the Musical Art Faculty of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts prepare the program.

The concert will feature performances by students Sunbul Safarli, Nargiz Safarli, Nushaba Rustamova, Hamaya Bakhyshova, Ryavana Musayeva, Ulviya Taghiyeva, Sevda Abbasova, Aynur Akhadova, Roya Ahmadova, Aysel Gafarova, Dilber Islamova, Nazrin Asgarli, Agha Babazade, Leyla Iskenderova, Jamila Huseynzade, Turkan Mustafayeva, Busat Yusifzade, Musa Musayev, Yahya Rzayev, and Ulvi Taghirov, who will perform together with their instructors – Mirkhalid Mammadzade, Zaur Mammadov, Gunel Guliyeva, Leyla Parlanova, and Aydan Vazirowa. The concert will be hosted by student Kimya Jafarli.

The program will include unforgettable works by world-renowned composers, from the Baroque era to the present day.

This musical evening will allow the audience to discover the subtleties of classical music and immerse themselves in a unique atmosphere.

Founded in 1937, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush.

The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.

These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries.

The chairman of the National Council, Jamil Hasanli, has been summoned to the State Security Service for questioning, Azernews reports.

He has been called to the State Security Service as a witness for questioning in connection with the ongoing criminal case related to the former head of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev.

Note that Jamil Hasanli, the chairman of the National Council and former MP, attempted to flee Azerbaijan.

A city tour was arranged for participants attending the closing ceremony of the “CIS Capital of Culture – 2025” in Lachin city, Azernews reports.

The excursion, organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Special Representative of the President in the Lachin district, began at the “Hochazfilm” creative studio, part of Garabagh’s unique multi-purpose cultural center.

The studio provides comprehensive support for film producers, including expert guidance, access to prime locations that highlight the region’s natural beauty and distinctive features, and the necessary production equipment.

Guests explored a variety of exhibits within the pavilion, including an airplane, a helicopter, a prison, a scientific laboratory, and a three-sided green screen.

Following the studio visit, participants toured the Gilabi Ceramics Creative Center and the Yurd Gallery, both of which create works reflecting the history and culture of Lachin and the broader Garabagh region.

Note that Lachin city has been officially designated as the CIS Cultural Capital for 2025, a title announced by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Humanitarian Cooperation Council in October 2024.

The official opening ceremony took place on June 3, 2025, organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry in partnership with the Special Representative of the President in the Lachin district.

As part of its activities under the CIS Cultural Capital program, Lachin has already hosted an International Youth Film Festival and a CIS Youth Camp. These events brought together young participants from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, enhancing collaboration through masterclasses in theater, media, painting, ceramics, photography, and other creative fields.

The city has also featured cultural and culinary exhibitions, showcasing traditional Azerbaijani dishes alongside offerings from other CIS countries. These events aim to promote mutual understanding and celebrate shared heritage.