The Cultural Days of Azerbaijan were held in Turkmenistan from 5 to 7 June. On this occasion, a large delegation comprising representatives of Azerbaijan’s cultural, academic and literary communities, distinguished artists, and creative ensembles, led by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, has paid a visit to the brotherly country.

The cultural programme commenced with the screening of the feature film Taghiyev: Oil at the Ashgabat Cinema of the “Kinovideo Service” Association under the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Murad Huseynov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursakhet Shirimov, officials of the respective Ministries of Culture, prominent cultural figures, members of the public, and representatives of the media.

Opening the event, Sahysaleh Bayramov, Deputy Director General of “Turkmenfilm”, warmly welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation. Describing the Cultural Days of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan as a significant event, he noted that such cultural initiatives help bring the brotherly peoples of the two countries even closer together.

In his remarks, Orkhan Sadigov, Adviser to the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, expressed satisfaction that Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage is being presented to audiences in brotherly Turkmenistan. He underlined that, thanks to the political will and leadership of President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan, bilateral relations continue to develop successfully, including in the sphere of culture.

Recalling the successful organisation of the Cultural Days of Turkmenistan in Azerbaijan last October, he emphasised that the centuries-old cultural heritage of the Turkmen people had left a profound impression on Azerbaijani audiences.

Expressing confidence that cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan would continue to deepen, Mr. Sadigov also conveyed appreciation to the Turkmen side for the warm hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation.

The audience was subsequently introduced to the feature film Taghiyev: Oil. The film was produced by the Baku Media Center with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency.

The motion picture constitutes the first instalment of the multi-part series Taghiyev, dedicated to the life and legacy of the renowned industrialist, philanthropist and public figure Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev.

The film’s creative team includes Chief Producer Arzu Aliyeva, Producer Orman Aliyev, Director Zaur Gasimli, screenwriters Ismayil Iman, Asif Isgandarli and Zaur Gasimli, cinematographer Vladimir Artemyev, production designer Sabuhi Atababayev, costume designer Vusal Rahim, and composer Etibar Asadli. Historical figures are portrayed by an accomplished cast of actors, including People’s Artists Parviz Mammadrzayev (in the role of Taghiyev), Gurban Ismayilov, and Honoured Artists Rasim Jafar, Elshan Rustamov and Natavan Hajiyeva.

The screening was met with considerable interest from the audience. Depicting significant historical and cultural developments that took place in Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the film offered viewers a vivid portrayal of an important period in the country’s history.