Exhibition “Colorful dreams of Azerbaijan”

The Saratov State Art Museum of A. N. Radishchev hosted the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Colored Dreams of Azerbaijan”, dedicated to the work of Azerbaijani artists of the 20th century.

The exhibition presents paintings, drawings and carpets from the collections of the Radishchev Museum, the Marjani Foundation and the collection of Mikhail Arefiev.

The exposition includes more than a hundred works by thirty-five Azerbaijani painters and graphic artists, including such masters as Sattar Bahlulzade, Nadir Abdulrahmanov, Mikayil Abdullayev, Tofig Javadov, Mirnadir Zeynalov, Togrul Narimanbekov, Rasim Babayev, Geyur Yunus and others.

“The exhibition has been selected with such taste and knowledge of the matter and professionalism that it cannot evoke anything but gratitude and admiration,” Nigar Akhundova, cultural attache of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia, said at the opening ceremony. “The exhibition was collected from three sources, this is a collection of Museum, this is a collection of our respected friend, head of the Marjani Foundation Rustam Suleiman and collector Mikhail Arefiev. Such a wonderful fellowship presented this exhibition. They have one big thing in common: love for Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani art. Of course, it is very significant that the exhibition was initiated by the Russian side, and I think this is a wonderful gift.”

The Minister of Culture of the Saratov Region Natalya Shchelkanova noted that the exhibition was symbolic, because this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan: “We are opening the exhibition in the year of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The exhibition of Azerbaijani artists in Saratov once again confirms that our countries treat each other with great interest, attention and love.”

Collector Mikhail Arefiev spoke about how he was fascinated by the art of Azerbaijan: “Somehow while walking along the lanes of the Arbat, I came across an antique shop where carpets were sold, and the merchant was an ethnic Azerbaijani. After that, I began to get involved in carpets. And when I got acquainted with carpet weaving, the first thing I noticed was Azerbaijani carpets. I was struck by the color and the name, which were named after the cities of Azerbaijan. I immediately realized that it was all mine: style, color, plots, sharpness. I was prepared and understood Azerbaijani art.”

President of the Marjani Foundation Rustam Suleimanov said that the idea to organize this exhibition was born by the employees of the Saratov Museum. “Our foundation is engaged in the art of the East and Islam, therefore Azerbaijan is an important direction for us, and we collect, study, and take an interest in Azerbaijani art with great pleasure. Many artists from Azerbaijan are well known to us, and we, in turn, are very pleased to talk about them and popularize them.”

It should be noted that the exhibition “Colored Dreams of Azerbaijan” will last until August 31.