AzerTAc`s “I`ve travelled across Azerbaijan” project in Shaki city
Baku, July 26 (AZERTAC). The Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency`s (AZERTAC) camera crew this time travels to Shaki, the main city, which was a great Silk Way for centuries.
The 12-minute video highlights the history, culture, art, economy and nature of the city, which combines antiquity, national architecture, craftsmanship, special cuisine and folklore.
Following is the full text of the video:
This is Shaki... The town where national architecture, craftsmanship, unique cuisine and folklore converge. Stone streets, caravanserais, ancient shrines, hospitality made this place attractive for people. This is the unchanged feature of Shaki from time memorial. Shaki located at the foot of timbered mountains, is split by Dayirmanarkhi and Gurjana rivers into north and south parts. Alexander Dumas, Thor Heyerdahl and other famous persons narrated about the beauty of Shaki in their masterpieces.
Shaki has been one of major cities on the Silk Road for centuries. Its golden years were during Shaki khanate.
Every inch, every street of Shaki is ancient. Shaki is like the historical museum. Circle shrine, Gelersen-Gorersen fortress (picture), Shaki Juma, Omar Efendi mosques, Narin Gala and other buildings....
The ancient Alban church dating back to 1-2 centuries is one of Shaki`s historical monuments. This shrine is considered the first church in the Caucasus. The archeological finds here included ancient graves, material-cultural samples, decorations. The church is no the place for Christian worshippers.
Shaki is called the architectural reserve of Azerbaijan. The palace of Shaki khans is one of the most precious pearls of this reserve. The maples in the palace`s yard are even older than buildings there. This palace which becomes engraved in memory of tourists is the unique sample embodying the synthesis of people`s and palatial architecture. What is attractive is pictures painted with oil colours, the elegant ornament all the way round the window.
Shaki is home to a number of famous personalities. Founder of the Azerbaijani drama Mirza Fatali Akhundzade was born in Shaki. The house where he grew up is operating as a museum now.
Today, Shaki combining ancient and modern features has new buildings, modern park and playgrounds which attract visitors. There are modern healthcare, education, sport and cultural facilities in the town.
Shaki is also an industrial town. Shaki rose to prominence with its silk. Shaki silk now famous in not only Azerbaijan but also the whole wide world is hard to manufacture. We witnessed this while visiting the Shaki Silk Factory.
After going through difficulties in post-Soviet era, Shaki Silk Factory has now scaled up its production. The factory burgeoned to have all the value chain. The new equipment acquired by the factory rolls out more quality products. The factory exports its products to Iran, Russia, Baltic states.
Shaki is famous for silk carpets. These carpets are eye-catching for being hand-made, assortment, colours and quality. Shaki carpets, which stand out with their unique features in the Azerbaijani carpet-weaving art, sells to local and foreign markets and becomes precious items in personal collections.
The first thing that come to mind when we talk about Shaki is elegant decorated kalagayis (kerchief). These kalagayis, which became symbols of Shaki, draw attention with national ornament and elegancy.
Shaki wines are famous in not only our country but also further afield. The region produces red and white wines. The products sell locally and exported to Russia and other countries. Modern equipment installed in the factory enables to keep products for long time and improve their quality.
Shaki pays attention to other sectors of the economy too. Leading sectors include dairy, brickworks, mill etc.
Shaki is a place of attraction for tourists. One can see tourists in all seasons. Shaki offers modern hotels, resorts. Prices for bungalows and hotel rooms range 60-120 manats.
Ashagi and Yukari caravanserais built in the 18th century is an exotic place for tourists. It is easy to escape summer heat and city noise. Yukari caravanserai used as hotel charge 30-80 manats.
Shaki is home to a number of ancient arts. Tinners, potters, hatters and musical instruments makers are working there.
Shebeke ornament is one of the ancient arts in Shaki. It made Shaki famous around the world.
Shebeke approximately takes one-two months. There can be shebeke ornaments which can take as long as 6 months. For instance, I restored Shaki khan palaces in 2000-2005. There are some shebeke ornaments in which 15 thousand colored glass were used. This is because it is impossible to put together very tiny parts.
Shaki has unique and rich cuisine. Shaki people love sweets very much. It seems like local people`s hospitality and joyfulness is associated with thier love for sweets. The smell of Shaki sweets and famous Shaki halva can be felt all round the town.
There are halva makers` shops in every block in Shaki. Many make these sweets in their own small shops made in their own yards. Some families which have made halvas for decades are known for their names. The way the Shaki halva is made is very interesting. Halva is made of rice flour, water, sugar and nuts.
Shaki is famous for its piti. It is said that you can hurt Shaki people if you do not taste it. The way of making piti is different. Piti is made in the faience pots. Piti includes peas, cut lamb, salt, water and onion.
Shaki is the place where mugham and musical festivals are held. The events held here make Azerbaijan known as the cultural center.
Ancient history, rich cultural heritage, amazing architecture, colored art have made Shaki Azerbaijan's and world`s unique place. The present modernity made Shaki even more beautiful as it brought novelties. This is why Shaki lives as the town combining two time horizons. Shaki is the land of fairy-tales which has boasted for 2700 years with its beautiful, hilarious, witty, easygoing people. Shaki, which is a cradle of art and culture of Azerbaijan, is today developing as a result of the government`s strong economic policy.
To watch the video click the link below:
http://azertag.com/node/1120133/the_modernizing_districts
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