Days of Azerbaijani Culture “From the Silk Road to Stavern” held in Nerdrum Museum
Stockholm, June 24, By Nargiz Jafarli, AZERTAC
The Days of Azerbaijani Culture entitled “From the Silk Road to Stavern” were held with a large audience in the Norwegian Nerdrum Museum as part of the Earth and East festival.
Over 700 visitors participated in each of the festival days. The event made a significant contribution to the development of cultural bridges between Azerbaijan and Norway.
The festival was organized by Nerdrum Museum, Sjöparken, the Thor Heyerdahl Institute and CAN Organization in Norway.
At the official opening, Martin Romberg, Director of the Nerdrum Museum, emphasized the importance of the festival for the Norwegian public’s acquaintance with Azerbaijani culture.
In their remarks, Aftur Nerdrum, daughter of the famous Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum, and Sherwin Najafpur, Head of the CAN Organization, spoke to the guests about national costumes, cultural heritage, and shared values, providing a detailed presentation of the richness of Azerbaijani culture.
The personal collection of Karabakh carpets by Elnar Rasulova, member of the Union of Azerbaijan Artists, attracted special attention from guests. These carpets made it possible to feel the cultural richness of the ancient Silk Road through their colors, ornaments and symbols.
The carpet “Fathers Testament - Victory of the Son” made a special impression. This work of art, handwoven from silk and wool **using** a double-sided weaving technique, was created over two years and four months. On one side is the testament of national leader Heydar Aliyev, looking to the future, while on the other side is President Ilham Aliyevs victory, which became the embodiment of this testament.
The collection of national costumes, presented by Gulzade Abdulova, assistant professor at the Azerbaijan Museum of History, as well as the brand of traditional cloth Alaca, aroused great interest among the guests of the festival. The fashion show was accompanied by a speech by the well-known journalist Nigar Ibrahimova. Norwegian models participated in the show.
The event also presented national costumes representing Karabakh, the Irevan Khanate and South Azerbaijan.
The musical part of the festival concluded with a performance by Azerbaijani-Norwegian singer and composer Marie Sahba and her trio. Performing together for the first time, the artist presented her program A Billion Years Too Soon to the audience.
The representatives of the Kazakh Embassy in Norway also were among the participants. Their presence was a vivid symbol of the cultural solidarity and unity of the Turkic countries.
The guests tasted high-quality Azerbaijani wines of the AzGranata brand, presented through NorAs Wine Import, as well as organic smoothies prepared by Naturella.
“This festival is not just an event, but also the realization of dreams and visions. For many years my main mission was to show the similarities between East and West, to share universal human values through culture, art and clothing,” Sherwin Najafpur, Head of the CAN Organization emphasized.
The national costumes representing Azerbaijan’s history were presented for the first time in Norway’s museum. It was not just a fashion show, but it was also a moment when history, memory and identity spoke in silence.
The Karabakh carpets and these unique heritage samples have aroused such a keen interest that several museums in Norway have expressed their desire to establish cooperation. This is vivid evidence of love and respect for Azerbaijani culture.
The festival is not only a presentation of culture, but also a revival of friendship, dialogue and common historical heritage. It is just the beginning.”
Nargiz Jafarli
Special correspondent
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