Rahman Hajiyev: "Colors of Karabakh" project not only contributes to the cultural revival of Karabakh but also serves as a gift to its physical restoration

The Karabakh Revival Fund (KRF) brings together the nation around the crucial mission of restoration and reconstruction in the territories liberated from occupation, aiming to promote the beauty of these lands and the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people through the "Colors of Karabakh" project.

Within the framework of the project, 23 talented young artists, students of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, have created 19 paintings and 4 sculptures that embody the spirit of Karabakh.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, the "Colors of Karabakh" project aims to provide broader information about the initiative. AZERTAC correspondent has interviewed Rahman Hajiyev, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund, to learn more about the project.

- Mr. Rahman Hajiyev, what inspired the creation of the "Colors of Karabakh" project?

As known, President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva have shown great attention and care to Azerbaijani culture and art. Additionally, the restoration of cultural and historical monuments in the liberated territories has been at the forefront of the attention of the state leadership.

Furthermore, the restoration of historical monuments and the promotion of our cultural heritage in the liberated territories constitute one of the priority directions of the activities of the Karabakh Revival Fund. Taking all this into account, and inspired by the desire to convey the spirit of creativity and the rich cultural heritage of Karabakh through art, we wanted to implement the "Colors of Karabakh" project as a gift to the restoration of Karabakh.

The purpose of the project is to showcase the traditional landscapes, historical narratives, and cultural heritage of the region through the artworks of talented young artists and sculptors. This artistic initiative is presented as a means to express the story of Karabakh's past, present, and hopeful future, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of Karabakh's role in Azerbaijani culture.

- Does the project also contribute to the physical revitalization of Karabakh?

- Yes, this project has several important and impactful aspects. For instance, the artworks are currently being put up for sale. To acquire these artworks, it is sufficient to make a direct donation to the Karabakh Revival Fund.

On the official website of the project, detailed information about all the works, their value, as well as a special catalog and price list containing all the information are available.

Link to the official website of the project: Colorsofkarabakh.com

I would like to note that the revenue from the sale of the artworks will be directed, per the instruction of the country's leadership, towards the restoration of the historical "Imaret" complex in Aghdam. This monument is currently being reconstructed with the financial support of the Karabakh Revival Fund, upon the order of the Ministry of Culture.

Indeed, the project contributes to the physical reconstruction of the region and assists in the restoration of the significant part of Karabakh's heritage that has suffered from occupation. Furthermore, by encouraging people to acquire artworks, it also promotes philanthropy and the culture of donation in society.

- How many artworks have been sold to date?

- 16 artworks prepared within the framework of the project have already been sold. These artworks have been acquired by donating a total of 75,400 AZN to the Karabakh Revival Fund. Among the buyers are well-known entrepreneurs, leaders of large companies, and public figures.

I express deep gratitude to each of them on behalf of the Karabakh Revival Fund. In the near future, we plan to present these artworks to our donors during a special charity gala night.

I invite everyone who wants to support this project to review the artworks that are still available for sale on the Colorsofkarabakh.com website. In my opinion, these artworks can not only bring joy to the purchaser but also serve as beautiful gifts for their loved ones.

- How did you select the young painters and sculptors to participate in the project, as well as their artworks?

- The project garnered significant interest from students eager to showcase their talents and skills. Therefore, the selection of students for the "Colors of Karabakh" project was conducted through a multi-stage process. In the initial stage, a competition was announced for students of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, and more than 250 sketches were submitted for consideration.

These sketches were reviewed by a jury panel consisting of distinguished artists, including prominent figures such as Farhad Khalilov, President of the Azerbaijan Painters Union, People's Artist; Natig Aliyev, Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People's Artist, Professor; and Selhab Mammadov, Prorector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People's Artist, Professor. They not only selected the project participants and their artworks but also provided valuable support and mentorship, resulting in the creation of precious art pieces.

The authors of the selected sketches were awarded special scholarships by the Karabakh Revival Fund, and each artwork was provided with all the necessary materials to more fully express the cultural and historical heritage of Karabakh.

It is worth noting that the project encourages young painters and sculptors, as well as the younger generation in general, to explore the rich cultural heritage of Karabakh and reflect it in their creativity.

- What impact do you hope this project will have on society?

- This project aims to strengthen national pride and cultural awareness at the local level, foster a sense of unity within society, and, at the international level, promote a better understanding of Karabakh's cultural heritage and the formation of a more accurate attitude towards historical facts by the international community.

To this end, an official website of the project has been created (www.colorsofkarabakh.com) and is already available in Azerbaijani. In the coming days, it is planned to launch the English version of the website. As the next step, the organization of a special charity gala night dedicated to the presentation of art pieces is envisaged, followed by plans for the exhibition of artworks in art galleries both domestically and internationally.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the young painters and sculptors who played a significant role in realizing this project, as well as to all the partners, including the Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, and to our donors who supported the Karabakh Revival Fund by acquiring artworks.

I also wanted to announce that we have begun preparations for the next phase of this beautiful project. Exciting times lie ahead for us with the continuation of this wonderful initiative.

Source: "AZERTAC" The Azerbaijan State News Agency