PAINTERS OF THE WORLD PAINT BAKU

Maiden Tower, rising in the south-eastern corner of the Old City, is a globally unique example of Azerbaijani architecture. There are disputes as to when the monument was built and what its purpose was. Nonetheless, its inimitable appearance still arouses great interest.

On 25 May, Maiden Tower found itself the focus of attention for 20 renowned artists who came to Baku from different parts of the world to take part in an unusual project - an international art festival - and to dedicate their works to this symbol of Baku.

Curious passers-by immediately surrounded festival participants to witness the birth of genuine masterpieces. The artists were to complete an extraordinary and interesting task - to paint a picture on a large polyurethane resin model, an exact copy of Maiden Tower. Each of them was to produce an off-beat work of art without forgetting the heritage of his own country. The "walls" of the tower could be painted in different colours.

Dutch artist Hans van der Berkmortel depicted horsemen with flags of different countries on the tower walls. Norwegian Evi Horpestad "dressed" Maiden Tower in a scarlet garment with touches of national motifs. Kristie Maria Puakka from Finland thought her model should be adorned by a white swan, while Askar Yesdaulet from Kazakhstan drowned the tower in a sea of human faces. Russian artist Nina Shapkina came up with a picturesque dress for her version of the tower, the Sun with a human face, fabulous birds and extraordinary plants. Yvonne Ann Buskie treated the work with utmost seriousness - she spent time measuring the model. As a result, her tower was very young and feminine. Azerbaijani artists Anar Huseynzada and Eliyar Alimirzayev came up with amazingly emotional and bright Maiden Towers, while Museib Amirov produced a whole painting on the model: roofs of the old city, clouds in which people and other creatures soared.

 All the artists had one thing in common - bright, emotional thoughts expressed in colour. Perhaps this is why painting is understood all over the world. In fact, the future of 20 newly-born Maiden Towers is already known - first they will be placed outside the historic monument itself, then some will be sent abroad, while others will adorn the streets of the Old City.

One of the memorable features of the festival was the demonstration of the work on the Maiden's Tower by the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva. The first lady's work reflects various historical and cultural monuments of the world. An umbrella was installed over the mock-up of the tower, symbolizing the call for the protection of cultural heritage. In this unusual way, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva called on the world to protect cultural heritage.

 The festival was organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ichari Shahar State Historical and Architectural Reserve under the Cabinet of Ministers, the Museum of Modern Arts and the Qiz Qalasi art gallery. The purpose of the festival was to popularize one of Azerbaijan's most ancient monuments. 

Located in the Old City and placed on the UNESCO list of world heritage, the tower is a symbol of Baku and a pearl of Azerbaijani architecture. It promotes the Azerbaijani people's ancient history and rich traditions which have contributed much to the enrichment of global human heritage and inter-cultural dialogue. In fact, the monument's name, Maiden Tower, quite popular in Turkic-speaking regions, symbolizes the fact that it was never seized.

It is not know exactly when the tower was built. It is believed to have been erected in the 12th century. This is what a plaque outside the upper part of the tower says. Written in archaic Kufic, the engraving translates as "The Gubbe (dome) of Masud ibn Davud". There are other equally justifiable theories that the monument was built earlier than that.