We've been setting this exhibition up for nearly two years. I believe that its language – the language of Art – eloquently conveys the great accomplishments our country has made in all spheres of achievement.
On May 30, the Qala Festival and 3rd International “From Waste to Art” Exhibition opened at the Qala State History and Ethnography Reserve, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, and Arzu Aliyeva attended the 3rd International “From Waste to Art” Exhibition.
Mehriban Aliyeva viewed the exhibits displayed at the exhibition, and had an exchange of opinions with the artists.
Held at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with the organizational support of “Clean City” Open Joint-stock Company, and joint support of IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Association, Icherisheher State History and Architecture Reserve Department and “Gallery” Art Gallery, the exhibition demonstrates various samples of art made of domestic waste.
Along with Azerbaijani artists, handicrafts of artists from USA, Australia, Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Cuba, Columbia and Japan are displayed at the exhibition.
Primary objective of the exhibition is to cultivate in population the necessity of keeping the environment clean, to propagate careful approach of the planet’s environment, divert people from squandering, and make them refrain from throwing useless items into waste bins without thinking once more.
Artists participating in the project demonstrated, with their works, that pieces of art may even be created using useless paper, parts of a car, glass, metal pieces, and other waste items.
Free bus tours will be organized from Icherisheher - the “Gosha Gala” Gate, twice a day – at 12:00 and 15:00, for those wishing to visit the exhibition, which will continue until June 3rd.
Then Mehriban Aliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva got acquainted with the camp of “Ecosphere” Social and Ecological Centre.
“Ecosphere” organization has, for the first time in Azerbaijan, made interactive training and eco-cultural programs for children and the youth. In tours implemented by the organization, children and the youth live a country life, participate in traditional rural activities, national holidays and festivals, and live in eco-camps.
Mehriban Aliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva visited the camps arranged within the framework of the “Qala Festival”, the Qala Archaeology and Ethnography Museum Complex, including the medieval pottery art yard, archaeological gallery, two-storied house related to the 19th century, flowers and food-stuff bazaar and a music ground located here, and were photographed with children participating in the Festival.
Held on the eve of the 1st June- International Day for Protection of Children, the Festival was joined by guests from Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Russian Federation etc., following the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Some 3000 children from secondary and boarding schools, children’s homes, refugee and IDP families are participating in the Festival.
Having been held since 2000 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Festival aims to immortalize rich historical past and traditions of the people of Azerbaijan, introduce them to the young generation and ensure their promotion. Within the framework of the Festival, handicrafts made by children are demonstrated in the open air, dance groups performing and various interactive games palyed.