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On October 1, a solo exhibition of renowned Turkish artist Ahmet Güneştekin, called “The Primer of Memory”, was inaugurated at the Heydar Aliyev Centre, in the framework of the 2^nd Nasimi – Poetry, Art and Morality Festival. Over 20 artworks of the artist are displayed at the exposition.

Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva attended the inauguration ceremony.

Director of the Heydar Aliyev Centre Anar Alakbarov, speaking at the opening ceremony, said: “Azerbaijan has just held the 2^nd Nasimi – Poetry, Art and Morality Festival, with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Culture Ministry. Some 50 colourful events were held within the framework of the festival at various cultural institutions. Taking this opportunity, I want to welcome the guests coming from various countries to join the festival. Firstly, I want to thank President Ilham Aliyev for the support he has provided for holding cultural projects in the country and declaring this year as “The Year of Nasimi”. I want to thank First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for worthily promoting the Azerbaijani culture throughout the world and the support provided for realization of such a festival.

Today, we are going to witness the presentation of art works of world-renowned Turkish sculptor Ahmet Güneştekin. Noting that the exhibition would arouse great interest, A.Alakbarov said: “The artwork of the artistç called “In Memory of Heydar Aliyev”, dedicated to the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, is also among the exhibits at the Baku exhibition. This was the artist’s long-standing dream. This artwork will be presented to you today. Made as a result of Ahmet Güneştekin’s amazement at and respect for great personality of Heydar Aliyev, the work has been developed using a mixed technique”.

Expressing his delight in the opening of his solo exhibition in such a grandiose centre, Ahmet Güneştekin valued our capital as a city of culture. “I am very proud to have my exhibition opened in such a centre, having no match in the world in terms of architecture. I was amazed at the Heydar Aliyev Centre when I first saw it. This is a unique space. To me, this place is an example of architecture as valuable as “The Immortality Room”, which I’ve created for this place. I have dedicated an artwork to national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, as my duty of devotion. By this work, I have tried to reflect the history of Azerbaijan and the personality of Heydar Aliyev. This year is, at the same time, “The Year of Nasimi” in Azerbaijan. Nasimi was a great virtuoso of word. Drawing inspiration form Imadeddin Nasimi’s rare personality and poetic legacy, I created my artwork called “Recm Nasimi”, whereby wanted to contribute to the festival. I want to thank the state of Azerbaijan for inviting me to the festival” – said the artist.

Then, the visitors became acquainted with the exhibition.

Tenets of Hurufism - eternal and philosophical branch of Sufism - is reflected in the work “Recm Nasimi”, dedicated by the artist to Imadeddin Nasimi, displayed at the exposition. Among the works being displayed here is also the artist’s famous artwork “The Immortality Room”. The artist created his work “The Immortality Room” by drawing inspiration from the archaeological finds unearthed on Göbekli Hill, located north-east of the city of Şanlıurfa. His basic source of inspiration was the “Gilgameş Epos” and the legend “Noah’s Flood”. Causing big resonance, this artwork was first demonstrated in 2018. The artist worked on “The Immortality Room” together with 130 people of different professions. The work of art consists of 22 thousand metal skulls, and a horn. 35 tons of aluminium was used for its production.

One of the main images of the Turkish modern art, Ahmet Güneştekin was born in 1966. Starting to draw pictures at the age of 5, A.Güneştekin came to Istanbul in 1981. In 1997, he built his first studio. In 2003, he opened his first big exhibition called “Those Following the Dark” at the Ataturk Cultural Centre. In 2005, he implemented his documentary project “Following the Sun”. In 2010, he created the Güneştekin Art Centre in Istanbul. In 2013, Ahmet Güneştekin opened his first international exhibition in Venice, and started cooperating with Marlborough Gallery.

The artist’s exhibition at the Heydar Aliyev Centre will continue to function until March 31.