Ambassador of Azerbaijan Launches New Literary Work-Memories of Baku: Beyond the Land of Fire
LONDON, September 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Images and Essays Recreate Caspian Birthplace of Global Oil Industry
At an event hosted last night by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Fakhraddin Gurbanov, the Britain Azerbaijan Business Council, Asia House and the book's sponsor Ulvi Kasimov, at the prestigious Baku restaurant in London, the author Nicolas V. Iljine launched his latest book which is a highly visual narration of the history of Azerbaijan's capital city, as cultural and cosmopolitan hub and the birthplace of the global oil industry on the Caspian Sea, in Memories of Baku: Beyond the Land of Fire.
Using a rare collection of art work and essays Nicolas's latest book demonstrates how Azerbaijan became one of the largest oil producing nations in the world, and how the country's rise to power over the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries had a profound effect on the culture, economics and politics of the country; in particular its effect on the capital city of Baku.
The book tracks how the oil industry boom acted as a major catalyst for change, resulting in a surge in Azerbaijan's population and enriching of its ethnic diversity; the cultural effects of which have become a defining feature of Baku.
Speaking at the event last night, His Excellency, Ambassador Gurbanov, who contributed to the book's fruition, explained "Memories of Baku represents a true and vivid illustration of Azerbaijan and its evolution over a critical time in our country's history. In today's global village, understanding the history and culture of our modern day economic and political partners is as critical as it has ever been. This book beautifully illustrates our country's past and how Azerbaijan arrived at the present; it is a book to learn from, and to cherish."
The editor, Nicolas Iljine outlined in his address that, "This book started with a collection of postcards from Baku and turned into a passion for discovering local impressions from further afield in Azerbaijan. As I travelled back to the country many, many times it continued to fascinate me with its warmth and cultural diversity that imbued a unique mix of Europe and Asia. This book focuses on the formative elements of today's cultural scene, a period that leads us up until the 1920s which we believe were so critical to the making of the modern, progressive Baku that we have today."
Lyndsay Howard, Director of the Britain Azerbaijan Business Council added, "The powerful images that have been unearthed and included in Memories of Baku tell the story of the city in a unique and extraordinary way. The book not only represents the evolution of the city over this important era, it also captures the essence of the Azeri people which helped shape the cultural changes which still live strong in Baku."
About the Editor:
Nicolas V. Iljine a consultant to museums and cultural organization, has organized major exhibitions including RUSSIA!, the landmark survey of Russian art that opened at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2005. Mr. Iljine served as European representative for the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation and has over 30 years experience in cultural exchange with Russia. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Hermitage Museum Foundation. Mr. Iljine was awarded the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation and is a founding Trustee of the Kandinsky Prize and Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts
Notes:
Ulvi Kasimov is the CEO and founder of SFERIQ, a global investment company with a diverse investment portfolio whose primary interests are in IT and high-tech assets. Mr. Kasimov is also a patron of the arts.
For more information on Memories of Baku:
http://asiahouse.org/exhibitions-and-events/detail?id=356
CONTACT:
John Evans, Director of Communications
Britain Azerbaijan Business Council (BABC)
ATC Communications, Audley House, 13 Palace St. London SW1E 5HX
London W1G 7LP United Kingdom
T. +44(0)20-7592-0893
johnevans@atclondon.co.uk
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