The official opening of the Art Weekend festival took place on 31 October at the Heydar Aliyev Center, bringing together artists, curators, and cultural figures from around the world.
Organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Association with the support of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, the Art Weekend festival aims to create a global dialogue through art, inclusivity, and environmental awareness.
The opening ceremony was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder of IDEA, and initiator of the project, along with Arzu Aliyeva, Alena Aliyeva, Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, and other guests.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, who joined other distinguished guests in celebrating the launch of the Art Weekend festival at the Heydar Aliyev Center.
Anar Alakbarov, in his opening remarks, highlighted the growing number of prestigious cultural events held in Baku and said this was the first major Art Weekend launched on Leyla Aliyeva’s initiative.
“It is very gratifying that art enthusiasts have gathered here today. We welcome guests from different countries who have come to Baku. Taking this opportunity, we invite Baku residents and our guests to attend these wonderful events. Traditional exhibitions, concerts, and conferences are currently taking place at the Heydar Aliyev Center. Today, works by the renowned Colombian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero are on display here,” he said.
The festival’s opening featured the exhibitions My Seas, My Oceans and The Triumph of Form, dedicated to the celebrated Colombian master Fernando Botero. His daughter and curator of the exhibition, Lina Botero, said, “My father’s creative work was characterised by the parallel development of painting and sculpture. On one hand, he painted, and on the other, he created sculptures, shaping forms with the strength of his fingers. Today, his monumental sculptures are exhibited in many major cities around the world. His works have been displayed in the most famous locations — on the Champs-Élysées in Paris and Park Avenue in New York. Last year, another exhibition of his sculptures opened in the historic centre of Rome.”
She added that her father’s works, simple in form yet profound in content, reflect his distinctive artistic style.
Farhad Khalilov, Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan and People’s Artist, noted Azerbaijani artists’ long-standing fascination with Latin American art.
“Our masters have approached both the visual arts and the literature and music of Latin America with deep interest. Many of our artists drew inspiration from the works of Latin American masters,” he said.
Guests also enjoyed a dance performance by DanceAbility Azerbaijan, an inclusive initiative that brings together people with and without disabilities to promote social inclusion through art and movement.
The Triumph of Form presents more than a 100 works by Fernando Botero spanning 70 years of his creative career. Known for his signature style 'Boterismo,' Botero depicted people and animals in exaggerated, voluminous forms, creating a vibrant celebration of life. His works, marked by colour and vitality, have been exhibited in more than 30 countries.
Another major exhibition, My Seas, My Oceans, reflects the festival’s environmental theme. Centred on water as a symbol of resilience, renewal, and shared memory, it calls for the preservation of aquatic ecosystems amid global climate challenges. First launched in Geneva in 2022, the exhibition features works addressing issues such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.
Italian sculptor Giuseppe Carta praised the festival as “an international-level event taking place across different parts of the city,” adding that the Botero exhibition would be a fascinating discovery for many.
Curator Viola Reikhel expressed excitement at the artistic diversity on display.
“We are having a very exciting weekend. I was absolutely amazed to see so many extraordinary works of art here at the Heydar Aliyev Center.”
Publisher Sam Morris from New York said it was his first visit to Azerbaijan and praised Baku’s architecture and culture.
“I believe art should be used as a platform to spread important messages worldwide. Waste recycling, reducing carbon footprints, and protecting ocean life can make a tremendous contribution to keeping our oceans clean,” he said.
Art historian and curator Zelfira Tegulova described the Botero exhibition as “a joyous occasion” for Baku. “His work appeals to everyone because it carries immense positive energy and is connected both to Colombian national traditions and the Mexican muralist school. At the same time, it reflects a deep understanding of European classical art. Botero uniquely combines all these influences,” she said.
The Art Weekend festival, held for the first time in Baku, will continue until 2 November, hosting more than 40 events across museums, galleries, and cultural venues throughout the capital.
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