12 december 2016

12 / 2016 www.teas.eu

FIVE ROADS BACK HOME BRINGS THE FACES OF KARABAKH TO LONDON

12 / 2016www.teas.eu

Also in this issue: TEAS capitalises on sport as a peace catalystHealth concerns expressed over Azerbaijani hostages in KarabakhElchin Shirinov headlines at the EFG London Jazz FestivalThe wonderful story of Yvonne Botto comes to UNESCOBaroness Nicholson looks to the future

Culture | Public Affairs | Business

Enter the TEAS competition and win £100 of Amazon vouchers


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The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) is a UK-registered pan-European foundation dedicated to raising awareness of Azerbaijan and fostering closer economic, political and cultural links between that country and the nations of Europe.

As well as promoting the positive aspects of Azerbaijan, TEAS also highlights the plight of the 875,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country. These people are unable to return to their homes and lands because of the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts by Armenia’s armed forces – in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions.

TEAS has three main facets to its operations:• Culture – TEAS raises awareness of Azerbaijan’s rich and vibrant culture to a worldwide

audience by organising cultural events and operating as a networking centre. • Business – TEAS supports its membership of European and Azerbaijani businesses. It

provides a platform for organisations to establish links and strengthen their existing business relationships via a programme of networking opportunities across the regions.

• Public Affairs – TEAS works to increase awareness about Azerbaijan amongst key opinion- formers, key decision-makers and other political, academic and civil society stakeholders.

In pursuit of its objectives TEAS:• Organises meetings with interested parties, opinion-formers and decision-makers• Arranges roundtables, seminars, lectures and conferences• Publishes pamphlets, reports, bulletins, books and produces films• Facilitates fact-finding trips by politicians and business people.

Welcome to the TEAS Magazine

FacebookThe TEAS Facebook page is your chance to learn about the latest news, events, campaigns and other Azerbaijan-related items. Visit and ‘like’ our page at: http://bit.ly/TEASFB.

Membership and SponsorshipTEAS offers a range of corporate and individual membership packages, providing such benefits as advertising, trade missions, networking, business sector advice and hotel discounts.

TEAS also offers numerous sponsorship opportunities throughout the year for its events and conferences. To find out more, e-mail: [email protected].

Firstly, our congratulations go to Ilaha Abasli, who is reading for an MSc in International Development and Emerging Economies at the Global Institutes faculty of King’s College London, winner of the competition in the November 2016 edition.

To stand a chance of winning £100 of Amazon vouchers, simply answer the following 10 questions, the answers to which will be found in this issue of the magazine. In the case of a tie, a draw will be made. Previous winners are ineligible to enter, as are TEAS employees and their families. Please send all entries to [email protected] by 17.00hrs (GMT) on 9 January:

1. Which photographer took the horse photos published in the specially-commissioned book of the Royal Windsor Horse Show?

2. Who is the Mayor of Mulhouse?

3. In which European Principality did the international Peace and Sport Forum take place?

4. Who is the International Chairperson and Liaison Officer in the UK for the Azerbaijani Public Association on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Occupied Territories?

5. Where is the ISEFAC Business School?

6. What will be the projected peak capacity of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway?

7. Who composed the song I’m a Mother, a version of which was performed by the Elchin Shirinov Trip during his concert at the Pizza Express Jazz Club as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival?

8. When did French President François Hollande meet Yvonne Botto in Baku?

9. Who was the predecessor of Baroness Nicholson as Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq?

10. Who is the Azerbaijani Co-Chair of the EU–Azerbaijani Parliamentary Co-operation Committee?

Win £100 of Amazon vouchers!


03

From the TEAS Director

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS

Politics and News

The highlight of the 90th birthday celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May was a magnificent celebration at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Home Park Private, Windsor Castle, involving over 900 horses and 1500 participants from across the world. The spectacular weeklong event was watched on television by over seven million around the world.

On 25 November, the publication of a specially-commissioned book to commemorate the event was announced. This features photographs by the world-renowned photographer Henry Dallal. It was published with the support of TEAS and the Azerbaijani Equestrian Federation, who between them had ensured that a contingent of rare Karabakh Horses played a central part in the show. The beauty of the horses, and the skill and daring of the riders, stunned attendees and television viewers alike. Azerbaijani dancers also entertained the crowds and television audience throughout the week of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The first imprint of the book was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS and Lieutenant-General Elchin Guliyev, President, Azerbaijani Equestrian Federation.

At the event, the photographer and publisher of the book, Henry Dallal, commented: “I am delighted with the final product, and I hope Her Majesty the Queen is also pleased. Text and captions have been contributed by a variety of participants, including Dame Helen Mirren, Andrea Bocelli, Kylie Minogue, Shirley Bassey and Azerbaijani dancer Guinel Sheykhova. They bring to life the excitement of the celebrations during those few days in May.”

Mr Heydarov said: “It was wonderful to see how the performance by the Azerbaijan equestrian team of Karabakh Horses and dancers wowed the audiences. We hope that the book will be a lovely reminder of the celebrations for Her Majesty and for many others.”

Our front cover depicts the opening of the emotional exhibition Five Roads Back Home in London, comprising stark photos of Azerbaijani internally displaced persons (IDPs) by award-winning photographer Philipp Rathmer. The event was attended by Bob Blackman MP, Chairman of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group, together with eight officers and members of the group.

We were pleased to be able to sponsor a book commemorating the Royal Windsor Horse Show, including the legendary Karabakh Horse, which this year was a celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday. A copy of the book was presented to Her Majesty.

I was delighted to be asked to speak at the ninth Peace and Sports Forum in Monaco. This fantastic organisation harnesses sport as a means of reconciling warring communities, and brings hope to many refugees and IDPs. Its patron is H.S.H. Prince Albert II, who I was honoured to meet.

On the political front, Baroness Nicholson, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq has been active in facilitating two-way trade and investment. Meanwhile the second anniversary of the illegal capture by Armenian armed forces of the two Azerbaijani hostages looms.

In the cultural field, we were delighted to attend an event showcasing IDP art from Nagorno-Karabakh, Kashmir and Syria in the European Parliament. We also facilitated the visit of jazz pianist/composer Elchin Shirinov to the EFG London Jazz Festival, as well as the launch at UNESCO of the TEAS Press book on the amazing Yvonne Botto. This issue of the magazine also features an interview with hip-hop/rap pioneer Miri-Yusif.

Lionel ZetterDirector, TEAS

A fearless Azerbaijani dzhigitovka rider stands atop a golden Karabakh Horse (Photo: Kit Houghton / The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration)

The Queen’s 90th Birthday: Celebratory horse book presented to H.M. The Queen

Azerbaijani chalet opens for the second consecutive year at Mulhouse’s legendary Christmas marketFor the second consecutive year, TEAS France has organised an Azerbaijani chalet at the legendary Christmas market in Mulhouse, in the Alsace region, following a successful first edition in 2015.

During five weeks, visitors will be able to enjoy Azerbaijani hospitality and taste top-quality Azerbaijani wine, tea, pomegranate juice, rose and fig jams, traditional pastries, paklavas and shekerbura, together with having the opportunity to purchase exquisite authentic handicrafts as Christmas gifts, including traditional kelaghayi (silk scarves), which have been included on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and jorab (slipper-socks), hand-made in Guba. They will also be able to extend their knowledge of the Azerbaijani regions, notably the historic city of Gabala, a new tourist destination, by reading the books and brochures available at the chalet.

Jean Rottner, Mayor, City of Mulhouse, basks in the warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality on the Christmas market stand


TEAS has highlighted the plight of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the experience of the country in dealing with those communities, during the ninth edition of the international Peace and Sport Forum held from 23–25 November under the High Patronage of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco. The event came in the wake of the signing of a partnership agreement between TEAS and the Monaco-based Peace and Sport Organisation in early November in support of the One Step for Peace charity campaign.

This year, the Forum took place in the context of the global refugee and migrant crisis. There were almost 64m refugees, IDPs and asylum seekers around the globe in 2015. The recent tremendous wave of immigration to Europe, due to the wars that currently ravage Iraq and Syria, has pushed the issue of how to provide humanitarian

assistance without jeopardising security to the top of the political agenda.

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, took to the floor during a session on the final day entitled New arrivals: sport as an integration catalyst. Participants comprised representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the European Commission, NGOs and athletes, who considered the methods by which sport can be harnessed to support integration processes for the well-being of refugees, migrants and IDPs. Mr Zetter shared the Azerbaijani experience and best practice in this field. He reminded attendees that Azerbaijan was very much aware of these issues, as the country has been dealing with nearly one million refugees and IDPs for almost 25 years. Due to the ongoing Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, nearly one out of nine people living in Azerbaijan is currently a refugee or IDP, which constitutes one of the highest ratios per capita in the world. Tragically, a whole new generation has now been born as IDPs and refugees.

In his speech, Mr Zetter referred to the tremendous work that had been done by Azerbaijani government since 1994, the date of ceasefire, for its IDP and refugee population. He spoke about the role of TEAS in highlighting the plight of these ongoing victims to European leaders through sport-related initiatives, and provided examples of Azerbaijani athletes and champions with an IDP background.

During the Forum, delegates were invited to wear pedometers as part of the ‘One Step for Peace’ charity campaign. The total number of steps were calculated at the end of the three days, and subsequently TEAS donated €20,000 (£16,800) to the field programmes of the Peace and Sport Organisation.

Commenting on the TEAS partnership with Peace and Sport, Mr Zetter commented: “It has been an enormous privilege for TEAS to partner with Peace and Sport. We share the same values of using sport as a tool to improve lives and promote peace. In particular, we were pleased to sponsor the ‘One Step for Peace’ initiative. That is because we realise that peace is a gradual process, and can only be achieved one step at a time.”

This iteration of the Peace and Sport International Forum brought together around 500 opinion-formers and stakeholders from the worlds of sport and peace – athletes, institutions, governments, sponsors, and charitable associations – focusing on the theme: ‘Game on for peace: mobilising global change through sport’. These experts discussed how sport could help to foster sustainable peace and forge agents of change, resulting in “a better, fairer and more united world”.

Visit http://bit.ly/teaspeacesport to see a video about the event and TEAS’ participation. Go to www.peace-sport.org for information on the Peace and Sport Organisation.

04 Politics and News

Azerbaijani desire for peace highlighted at International Peace and Sport Forum in Monaco

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, and Joel Bouzou, Chairman and Founder, Peace and Sport Organisation, discuss the invaluable role of sport as an integration tool for achieving a cohesive society

Over 600 teachers, principals and educational leaders from around the world gathered in Baku on 17–18 December for the Internation-al Conference on Changes and Innovations Supporting Education in the region, organised by the Azerbaijan Teacher Development Centre (ATDC), in co-operation with TEAS.

With its theme of Empowering Learning, the conference came in the wake of the opening of the ATDC, founded by TEAS. Speaking at the conference, Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS, remarked: “We are very pleased that the opening of our centre was followed by this high-level international conference. The im-portance of teachers cannot be overstated. For the development of any nation, the quality of schools and the quality of teachers is most important. The better the teachers, the better the students, the better the future of the country.”

The two-day conference brought two leading educators to Baku – Bill Martin from the US and Deb Masters from New Zealand. Mr Martin commented: “Azerbaijan, as a nation, understands that the teacher is the most important part of the system. It knows that if regular teachers are trained to become expert teachers, they will be successful.”

Deb Masters replied that, to achieve this, a willingness to change is imperative. She explained: “If you don’t like change, don’t be a teacher. And if we can exhibit to the children that even the teach-ers are learners, we’re actually modelling that what we’re saying is important.”

Despite the fact that Azerbaijan celebrated 25 years of independence from the Soviet Union in 2016, some teachers are retaining Soviet-style educational methods. Chinara Nur, Teacher Trainer, ATDC, explained some of the challenges: “At times, we’re still struggling, because some teachers teach the way they did in Soviet times, and that’s the issue. A doctor with 30-year-old knowledge is not operating on you today. You want an up-to-date surgeon, and you want new equipment. It’s the same with teachers and classrooms.”

Parvana Guliyeva, English teacher at the European Azerbaijan School in Baku, stressed that teaching is life-long learning. She also outlined the dramatic educational changes in her country over the past quarter century, stating: “In my childhood, teachers taught in traditional ways. The classroom was very teacher-oriented. Today it’s very different, because our classrooms are student-centred. Nowadays, the teachers are just an invisible guide in the classroom.”

TEAS spearheads the teaching revolution


05Politics and News

A conference and exhibition entitled Contemporary Art: Speaking Peace in Support of Syrian Refugees has been held in the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by Sajjad Karim MEP and organised by Leyla Gasimova, International Chairperson and Liaison Officer in the UK for the Azerbaijani Public Association on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Occupied Territories.

In her introduction, Mrs Gasimova commented: “My interest in humanitarian assistance has come from the most vulnerable part of the population in my own country – the estimated one million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are the ongoing victims of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Today, the Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs share the plight of the Syrian refugees and have expressed their wish to assist them through art. As they too have suffered from humanitarian disaster and crisis, by using

art they aim to demonstrate how women and children suffer from the war and how the historical heritage of Azerbaijan, Kashmir and Syria has been heavily damaged during prolonged conflicts.”

Ilkin Huseynov, an Azerbaijani IDP, related his own painful testimony, commenting: “I am a victim of armed conflict, and my voice is that of Azerbaijanis, Syrians, Kashmiris and all IDPs and refugees across the world. For more than 20 years, my family has been IDPs. We had to flee our homes in 1993 after the occupation of part of the Fuzuli region. In order to escape Armenian aggression, we passed through Iranian territory, as the region was under an Armenian blockade. We then came to one of the Azerbaijani regions. After some time, we moved to Baku and settled in one of the dormitories. We lost all our property and belongings.

“Despite the help of the Azerbaijani government, we want to return home. The graves of our ancestors remain on our native lands. We want to visit

them. All conditions have been created for us here, but our homeland is there. The humanitarian impact of modern Azerbaijani history, and the unresolved Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, should be better known. It is deeply unfair that the plight of these people is not acknowledged more widely.”

Speeches were also delivered by Mr Karim; Ramona Manescu MEP, Member of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, and Amanda Paul, Geopolitical and Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre.

The second day of the exhibition coincided with a conference focusing on the Kashmiri issue entitled Blinded Power. This was attended by leading members of the Kashmiri diplomatic corps, including Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu/Kashmir (Pakistan), and by Jean Lambert MEP, Chair, European Parliament Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia.

IDP artwork brings a personal dimension to the European Parliament

Ramona Manescu MEP, Member of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights outlines the dilemma of IDPs and refugees from occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, Kashmir and Syria to Sajjad Karim MEP, Leyla Gasimova and Amanda Paul

The Pakistani delegation, headed by Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu/Kashmir, view the emotionally-charged artworks

Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, has revealed that Azerbaijan and the EU are actively preparing to start negotiations on a new strategic partnership agreement. He explained that the EU position on the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh would form one of the cornerstones of the future agreement.

The new agreement will replace the 1996 Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, which became effective in 1999. This will take into account the shared objectives and challenges currently faced by both the EU and Azerbaijan.

EU–Azerbaijani partnership deal underway

The Azerbaijani Energy Ministry and EU Working Party have discussed the issue of Central Asian countries joining the $45bn Southern Energy Corridor, which will initially bring Azerbaijani Caspian Gas to an Italian interconnector, thereby offering a greater choice of supply for many countries.

Thereafter, Natig Abbasov, Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister, met representatives of the EU Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and discussed the prospects for energy co-operation. Malena Mard, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, replied that the Southern Energy Corridor project would further serve to strengthen EU–Azerbaijan energy relations, and that defining and discussing such issues would have an essential role to play.

Mr Abbasov replied that every document to be ratified would play its role in securing co-operation development by the two sides. The parties also discussed the possible impact of the Turkish Stream project on the expansion of the Southern Energy Corridor and energy co-operation with Iran. The recent development of technology parks with special seven-year tax dispensations was also discussed, and the invitation for European energy companies to participate in these was highlighted.

Central Asian connection to Southern Gas Corridor – subject to EU–Azerbaijani discussions


06

Baku hosted an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of UK–Azerbaijani co-operation on 30 November. H.E. Dr Carole Crofts, UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, opened the event by explaining the significance of the three-day visit by Baroness Emma Nicholson, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq (see pp.12–13).

Dr Crofts explained that the bilateral relations between the two countries now cover all areas of co-operation, and noted that these are based on a solid foundation traversing many sectors of mutual interest, resulting in the sharing of experience, information and technology. She also acknowledged that the decision of the UK to recognise Azerbaijani independence 25 years ago had constituted a foundation for the development of mutual co-operation.

Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, stressed the gratitude of the Azerbaijani government and people to the UK government for recognising Azerbaijani independence a quarter of a century ago, and stated that this had resulted in a high level of bilateral co-operation between the two countries. He particularly emphasised the role of UK companies – including BP – in the development of the Azerbaijani oil sector. Mr Mammud-Guliyev also outlined the extent of economic reforms currently being implemented in order to facilitate economic diversification. He expressed hope that the UK would continue to support Azerbaijan in this issue. Mr Mammad-Guliyev went on to recognise the need for the two sides to meet regularly to discuss the expansion of relations.

Baroness Nicholson recalled that the UK was the fifth country to recognise the Republic of Azerbaijan, following its regaining of

independence in 1991. She stressed her resolve to facilitate the expansion of trade relations, and noted that the UK–Azerbaijani relationship covers many spheres. Baroness Nicholson propounded her opinion that it remains a great honour to participate in the development of more stable UK–Azerbaijani relations in the future.

Given the nature of the UK–Azerbaijani relationship, it was appropriate that the visit by Baroness Nicholson began three days earlier in the headquarters of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR). This event saw her undertake dialogue with Bahram Huseynov, Vice-President on Geology and Geophysics at SOCAR, and Joe Murphy, Vice-President, BP Azerbaijan. Mr Murphy spoke about the history of co-operation between the two countries; current and future projects; and answered questions from local and British companies attending the event. During her visit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijani First Lady and President, Heydar Aliyev Foundation, also received Baroness Nicholson.

Politics and News

The UK trade delegation, led by Baroness Nicholson, discuss the future of UK–Azerbaijani co-operation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

Baroness Nicholson: myriad spheres of UK–Azerbaijani co-operation

Following an invitation by the Nice branch of the renowned ISEFAC Business School, TEAS France organised a landmark conference concerning best practice emanating from experience gained during organisation of the European Grand Prix, which was hosted in Baku. This was hosted in Baku for the first time on 19 June to wide international acclaim. The keynote speaker was Arif Rahimov, Executive Director, Baku City Circuit.

The conference was attended by more than 70 people, including students from the ISEFAC Business School, which has a major dedicated to marketing and sports events, together with a number of academic experts from Nice and the surrounding regions. Brigitte Just, Director, ISEFAC, Nice, introduced the conference, followed by Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, who made a short introduction about TEAS’ activities related to sport and gave a brief overview of the Azerbaijani strategy regarding sports-related events.

Mrs Gourdin acknowledged: “Sport is a universal language and an excellent tool to promote a country, whilst providing a framework for sustainable development. The case of Azerbaijan is very interesting, having harnessed the European Games in 2015 and the European Grand Prix in 2016 to launch impressive infrastructural projects and to offer myriad opportunities for young people, both Azerbaijanis and from overseas, to develop their skills by participating in the organisational team.”

Mr Rahimov made a very dynamic and comprehensive presentation on the European Grand Prix. This presentation was supported by an impressive video showcasing timelapse photography of the infrastructure constructed for the circuit, as well as another video illustrating the event itself.

He explained: “Before the Grand Prix, just a small number of fans knew what to expect from Baku and Azerbaijan. But, by the race weekend, the city was showcased as a modern, developed country and as the host of a unique and memorable race. Organisation of a city race is a great challenge for a promoter, the city authorities and its residents. However, all issues were overcome and the event was a resounding success.”

Later in the evening, TEAS also hosted a charity concert at the prestigious Hotel Westminster, located in front of the celebrated Promenade des Anglais, benefitting the Lions Club Nice-Arénas, which focuses on projects for children.

Andrée Roux, President, Lions Club Nice-Arénas, appositely quoted Melvin Jones, Founder, Lions Club International, who said: “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.”

Marie-Laetitia Gourdin commented: “How can we express the terror that gripped all of us at the sight of the horror on the Promenade des Anglais on 14 July after the terrorist attack. The strongest condemnations do not suffice to appease the pain that still affects us all. For more than a year, we have been discussing with the Lions Club about the organisation of a charity concert to benefit the work of this association and, after the July tragedy, this project took on a whole new dimension.”

Azerbaijani jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab then gave a duet performance with accordionist Enver Sadigov. This was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in Nice. The concert was attended by 120 guests, and raised more than €2500 (£2100).

F1 Baku City Circuit experience presented in Nice


Politics and News

The families of Dilham Asgarov (56) and Shahbaz Guliyev (48), taken hostage by occupying Armenian forces, have expressed worries about their health. Speaking to Trend News, Sahib Asgarov, brother of Dilham Asgarov, explained that their appeal to the Azerbaijani representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to organise a meeting with their loved ones, or to set up a video connection with them, remains unfulfilled.

He expanded: “For two and a half years, we have solely communicated through letters. To date, in addition to these, three parcels have been sent to my brother. One and a half years ago, the brother of Shahbaz Guliyev and myself appealed to the ICRC to organise a meeting when he was reportedly imprisoned in Shusha. However, they still cannot resolve this issue. In addition, I appealed to the Azerbaijani representation of the ICRC five or six months ago, hoping to at least organise a video connection with my brother since his health condition is unclear from his letters.

“We are constantly concerned about his state of health. He constantly complains of pain in his head and back in his letters. The Azerbaijani representation of the ICRC stated that the pains are associated with age and the place in which they are being

held. However, I know that my brother was injured during the arrest. We noticed that he was limping during the so-called trial. Therefore, I want to meet him and find out his true state of health.”

According to Sahib, Dilham Asgarov gave detailed information about his health in his early letters, but made no reference to this in later correspondence. He also stressed that the latest letters were written in Russian, which gave rise to suspicions regarding their authenticity or whether they were written under duress. He continued: “In response to our question, the ICRC said that one ICRC member did not know the Azerbaijani language. However, the letters were previously in Azerbaijani.” His brother also made reference to the fact that his Armenian captors had censored some parts of the letters.

During the early days of incarceration, the Asgarov family had been sending Dilham his favourite sweets and other dry food. Sahib continued: “Initially, we were sending him warm clothes. But then, both the ICRC and Dilham himself asked us not to send warm clothes. We are not allowed to send him food. They claim that the ICRC provides him with sufficient food. The ICRC had submitted a list of foodstuffs that they provide. This includes coffee, pineapples,

and bananas, but that is unlikely.”

The Azerbaijanis were taken hostage by the Armenian armed forces in July 2014 whilst visiting the graves of their loved ones in the occupied region of Kalbajar. Armenian forces also killed a third Azerbaijani citizen named Hasan Hasanov (38).

In December 2015, Dilham and Shahbaz were illegally placed on trial by the Armenian occupiers in Nagorno-Karabakh. Following an expedited ‘judicial process’ they were sentenced to life imprisonment and 22 years, respectively.

The Azerbaijani State Committee on Affairs of Refugees and IDPs and State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and other agencies have repeatedly urged international organisations, including the ICRC, to assist in the release of the two men.

07

As the second anniversary of the illegal ‘trial’ of Dilham Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev by the Armenian occupying authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh looms, concerns have been expressed regarding their health and welfare

Families of Azerbaijani hostages outline health concerns

BTK railway to connect Azerbaijan to EuropeSpeaking to Trend News, Ahmet Arslan, Turkish Minister of Transport; Maritime Affairs and Communications revealed that Turkey expects the first section of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway to be commissioned in early 2017. He went on to explain that the second section would reach completion later next year.

Mr Arslan outlined: “The BTK project is in the last stage of implementation. The BTK will connect Azerbaijan and Turkey with a continuous railway. This project

is essential, because it will contribute towards the development of the economy and trade of Azerbaijan and Turkey and other countries in the region. Cargo from Azerbaijan will be delivered to Europe via Turkey through this project.”

He continued: “Also, cargo from European countries will be delivered to the countries of Central Asia and China through the Baku International Sea Trade Port, which is currently under construction. This project will positively affect the development of the

relationship between our country and the other nations in the region. Other states, such as China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Georgia also need this project, as does Europe.”

The BTK railway is being constructed on the basis of the Georgian–Azerbaijani–Turkish intergovernmental agreement, and its peak capacity has been projected at 17m tonnes of cargo per year. Initially, this figure will be 1m passengers and 6.5m tonnes of cargo.

Caspian Sea status issues under discussionWriting in the official media, Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, commented: “Azerbaijan is sure that all issues regarding the Caspian Sea legal status must be resolved in a spirit of respect for littoral states’ sovereign rights, towards the development of a mutually beneficial partnership.” He also outlined the necessity of strengthening trust between the parties, particularly regarding issues related to regional stability, security and economic and research activities in the Caspian basin over determination of the legal status issues of the sea.

Mr Mammadyarov continued by explaining that confidence-building measures must also include the provision of equal security conditions for all Caspian states. He continued: “We are also convinced that the strengthening of stability in the Caspian Sea should take into account the interests of all parties, in terms of not inflicting damage on each other’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The

independence of Caspian states should be respected, and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other should be ensured.

“We share a common vision for Caspian countries regarding the current state of the Caspian Sea environment, and are interested in expanding co-operation regarding the addressing of the environmental problems in the sea.” He explained that much work had been undertaken to co-ordinate the provisions of the draft convention regarding the legal status of the sea, and that the political decisions and agreements reached during the summit of the Caspian states’ heads would serve to enhance the efficiency of future negotiations. Mr Mammadyarov concluded that the priorities of Caspian states include such issues as the strengthening of international co-operation and improvement of the investment situation in the extraction and production of energy resources and their supply to international markets.


Internationally-acclaimed Azerbaijani pianist Elchin Shirinov brought his unique approach to jazz to the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, London as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival on 18 November, in a concert supported by TEAS. Established in 1969, this is one of the leading jazz venues in the metropolis, having hosted a range of international stars from across the decades and genres, including Bud Freeman, Benny Carter, Lew Tabackin, John Dankworth, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum. TEAS has previously supported Shirinov’s concerts at the Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris; Sunnyside Festival in Reims; and at the Spice of Life and Vortex Clubs in London.

Shirinov – who comes from the Azerbaijani folk tradition – belongs to the new generation of Azerbaijani jazz musicians who combine elements of postbop jazz with the modes, melodies and microtones of Azerbaijani folk and classical music. The concert featured two musicians well-versed in Shirinov’s music – Italian bassist Andrea Di Biase and British drummer Dave Hamblett.

The first set began with a piece by the father of Azerbaijani classical music – an aria from the 1910 operetta O Olmasin Bu Olsun (If not this one, that one) by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, which Shirinov had reworked into non-standard metrical form. Maintaining the richly ornamented main theme, the piano then entered into interplay with drummer Hamblett, giving rise to increasingly more daring and successively faster improvisations, propelled by the drumming, before reaching dizzying heights of complexity.

Throughout, Shirinov made space for both Hamblett and Di Biase to improvise as freely as possible, being perfectly content to recede into the background as an accompanist or come to the foreground with his own exciting improvisations whenever necessary, particularly after Hamblett upped the tempo. His composition Muse was a thoughtful and delicate eastern-tinged dance-like melody that provided many opportunities for his own extemporisations to reach new heights of ingenuity.

Shirinov’s own Waiting, beginning as a languorous and delicate piece, again demonstrated the strong themes and eastern harmonies that are a hallmark of Shirinov’s work, the symbiotic relationship with both western musicians emphasising the infinite understanding and respect that exists between all trio members.

Maiden Tower is one of Shirinov’s latest compositions, inspired by the iconic 12th century tower located in Icheri Sheher (Old City), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A nostalgic piece, this was redolent of Shirinov’s childhood and conjured up the sounds of this area of the city.

Introducing each song in English, Elchin followed this with another of his compositions – Chika Chika – a dynamic and staccato piece, full of repeated figures leading to freeform passages. This provided the groundwork for Hamblett to apply his full arsenal of percussion and percussive techniques, ranging from straightforward on-the-beat drumming through to a dizzying combination of cymbals, high-hats and bass drums that whipped the multinational audience into a frenzy.

The second set began with an elegiac (and currently unnamed) composition, followed by a version of the folksong Gul Achdi, beginning with a single repeated note on the bass that was picked up on the piano, giving way to staccato variations on the main theme. The dancelike melody resulted in a trancelike state for all audience members, and prompted them to a standing ovation.

I’m a Mother was written by film composer Adil Babirov, and featured a plaintive melody replete with microtones across a 6/8 rhythm, which gave way to contrapuntal interplay between Di Biase and Shirinov. This was followed by his version of the Azerbaijani folk song Durna, which began at a furious drum-led pace and was full of eastern harmonies, microtones and repeated figures, urging on Hamblett towards increasingly daring and complex drum passages. This, in turn, prompted a staccato response by Shirinov before his pianistic pyrotechnics upped the tempo even further, reaching a new degree of excitement. Throughout the concert, Di Biase demonstrated that the legacy of the great lyric bass player of postbop jazz – Scott LaFaro – remains firmly alive. The concert concluded with arguably the most famous Azerbaijani folk song – the enigmatic Sari Gelin – beginning at a stately and reverential pace, laid down by Hamblett, its sad theme captivating all audience members. This led to an empathetically reflective bowed bass passage from Di Biase. The piece culminated with a richly ornamented variation of the main theme, accompanied by a bowed bass in its upper register that stunned every member of the audience into silence.

The response to the concert gave credence to the observation by renowned US drummer Jeff Ballard (formerly a sidesman with Chick Corea and Ray Charles): “Passionate. Thoughtful. Always playing with care, Elchin Shirinov is a musician for us to discover and enjoy. His original compositions are exciting to listen to. The band sounds relaxed and in totally sync. Their playing together is smooth as silk and seemingly effortless. Great stuff!”

Go to www.elchinshirinov.com to experience the innovative work of Elchin Shirinov and to learn more about his forthcoming debut album.

08 Culture

The extraordinarily inventive and irrefutably ambidextrous pianist/composer Elchin Shirinov brought his mellifluous and unique form of jazz to the world-famous Pizza Express Jazz Club in the heart of Soho

Azerbaijani spirit headlines at the EFG London Jazz Festival


09Culture

On 21 November, TEAS France, in collaboration with the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, presented the book La vie rêvée d’Yvonne Botto (The Dream Life of Yvonne Botto), published by TEAS Press, at the headquarters of UNESCO, in the heart of Paris. Around 100 guests, including diplomats, journalists, academics, students and friends of Azerbaijan, attended the event.

During his opening speech, H.E Anar Karimov, Ambassador, Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, explained: “Azerbaijan is one of the cradles of humanity, and an example of peaceful coexistence between peoples of different nationalities and religions. My country has become synonymous with acceptance and tolerance, trust and confidence between people of different faiths who live alongside each other with mutual respect. It is in accordance with this spirit and principles that we have organised today’s event at the UNESCO

Headquarters, a global organisation that is at the forefront of promoting peace and dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance, as stated in its Constitution.”

Mr Dendev Badarch, Head, Social Transformations and Intercultural Dialogue Division, UNESCO, said: “The story of Yvonne bridges nations and cultures. This book will be a source of inspiration, and restores our faith in goodness and humanity.”

Mrs Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, then took the floor, saying: “Yvonne Botto illustrates how the personal history of a human being can be mingled with the Great History of Humankind. Yvonne’s life is so extraordinary that it attracted the attention of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, during his visit to Azerbaijan on 11 May 2014. He declared: “Thank you Mrs Botto for giving us confidence here in the French Republic, and this sign of friendship between our two countries ... You are an example of the friendship between France and Azerbaijan.”

Mrs Marcelle Botto, Yvonne’s cousin, was also present at the event. In a moment full of emotion, Marcelle shared her memories about Yvonne – from her extraordinary story to their letter-based contact during Soviet times, up until they met in 2011, due to TEAS who brought Yvonne to Le Fayet, her childhood village in France. She commented: “Yvonne’s story is a story of love before everything. She accepted all the hardships, initially motivated by love for her husband, then by love for her children.”

The event was then followed by a book signing session with the author, Shain Sinaria, and a mesmerising concert of ethnojazz by the virtuoso pianist Emil Afrasiyab, one of leading artists of the young generation of Azerbaijani jazzmen, duetting with accordionist Enver Sadigov, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan.

A French emigrant who went to live in Azerbaijan after the Second World War, Yvonne’s romantic story entranced the French media in 2011. The story began in the summer of that year, when TEAS noticed an article on Yvonne Botto

by journalist Sabuhi Mammadli in the Azerbaijani media. Sabuhi had travelled to the Imishli region of Southern Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border, to report on those people who had lost their homes during the great floods that ravaged the region, including that of Yvonne. He discovered that Yvonne, originally from Haute-Savoie, left France in 1947 to follow her husband, a former Soviet soldier of Azerbaijani origin, and settled with him in the small village of Murguzalli in the Imishli region. He died soon after their marriage, but she decided to remain for the sake of her son.

Yvonne eventually returned to her homeland after a gap of 64 years, thanks to TEAS who rallied forces to find members of her family in France and helped with her visa and transportation to the country. In October 2011, at the age of 83 years, Yvonne was finally able to return to Le Fayet, and visit the graves of her parents and brother who passed away without being able to see her again.

Prior to the event, TEAS had also organised a guided tour of UNESCO headquarters for Azerbaijani students. After being welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Karimov, they met a representative from the Human Resources department at UNESCO who informed them about internships and job opportunities.

The amazing story of Yvonne Botto in the UNESCO spotlight

Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, recalled the meeting between Yvonne Botto and French President Hollande when he visited the country in 2014

Azerbaijani jazz featured in a new TEAS filmA new short film produced by TEAS France has been released, focusing on the glories of Azerbaijani jazz. Entitled Jazz and Azerbaijan, it is bylined a passion for rhythm; tradition and modernity; and open to the world. The film details the history of Azerbaijani jazz, which dates back over 90 years, almost to the beginnings of the recorded music. Then Azerbaijani violinist

Sabina Rakcheyeva, Cultural Advisor, TEAS; Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, and French composer Pierre Thilloy outline the reasons why this western idiom has achieved such phenomenal success, the basis of jazz-mugham ethnojazz and how TEAS is supporting the new generation of Azerbaijani jazz musicians. Visit http://bit.ly/azerbaijanjazz to see the film.

A fascinated reader explores the new book from TEAS Press that charts the story of Yvonne Botto – a woman whose political beliefs and love for her family kept her away from her homeland for nearly 70 years


Singer-songwriter Miri-Yusif is the foremost exponent of r ’n’b and rap in Azerbaijan. He initially emerged as a hip-hop artist in 1996 as one member of the Dayirman group, which released its critically-acclaimed debut album Qurd in 2001. This contained a number of songs dealing with the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Miri-Yusif composition Ya Qarabag, Ya Olum (All Karabakh or Death).

Miri-Yusif released his first solo album Avara in 2006, but with his second album Karma in 2010 began to fuse reggae with r ’n’b and soul. This intoxicating combination topped the Azerbaijani album chart that year, and since then his unique blend of musical styles and engaging stage personality have led to sell-out concerts across Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia. On 24 November, Miri-Yusif finally came to London for a long-awaited concert at The Qube Project, organised by Balo Events and Caspian Khazri, and supported by TEAS. Neil Watson caught up with this influential megastar of Azerbaijani music to find out more:

What originally stimulated your interest in rap, r’n’b and hip-hop?I have the spirit of the rebel and am a patriot, being stimulated to express the truth through rap music. This prompted me to create such songs as Ya Qarabag, Ya Olum.

How big was the Azerbaijani hip-hop scene when you began to sing?Rap had not achieved any popularity in Azerbaijan by the late 1990s. The development of the Dayirman group was initially an entrepreneurial project and we really had to work to make it a commercial reality.

How influential was the Dayirman hip-hop group?At the time, the influence of the group was enormous. Everyone knew our songs, and their popularity traversed the generations.

You recorded a song with Dayirman about Justice for Khojaly, where you collaborated with Toni Blackman, the first Hip-Hop Ambassador to the US. How was this received?It was received very positively, and working with Toni was a great experience for all of us. Since becoming a solo artist, you have combined hip-hop with reggae and soul. Why did you decide to do so, and how was it received?From the very beginning of my solo career, I have sought to create a new genre of music, harmonising and combining the culture of the West and the East.

In 2014, your acting career began in the film Yarim Dunya (Half the World). What made you want to enter this area?Many directors had recognised my acting abilities in music videos, and this led to my participation in Yarim Dunya. However, prior to this I appeared in the short social-conscience film entitled Mother, and participated in two films when I lived in the US.

What are the challenges in writing film soundtracks?All film soundtracks were written before shooting began. It was amazing how well they fitted the action and were used in the film to great effect. They suited the scenario and were utilised throughout the film. The film title was derived from my song of the same name, which is also featured on the soundtrack.

What are the main subjects of your songs?My songs all concern love.

Where have you performed, and how do you feel about giving this concert in London?To date, I have given solo concerts in Toronto, Moscow, and other cities around the world, but never in any European countries. I am aware that my compatriots have waited many years for my concerts, and I feel very excited about this evening.

Do you see your music incorporating elements of Azerbaijani mugham or ashiq music in the future?Mugham is the foundation of all Azerbaijani music. I suppose that I will return to the source of this wonderful spiritual music and produce some work in which it will be incorporated.

Do you plan to record in English?I currently record albums in Russian and Turkish – in addition to Azerbaijani – as that is a requirement of the market. As the influence of English is now increasing in Azerbaijan, we are planning to release some tracks in English.

How do you see your career developing?At the present time, my main career goal is reach recognition on an international level. As previously stated, my albums are being recorded in three languages, and great work is being undertaken to develop other projects. It is in my nature to continuously experiment. A new chapter began in Azerbaijan in the 1990s, and I will keep working to bring more innovations to the Azerbaijani music scene through my diverse work.

Go to http://bit.ly/agteyyara to see the 2015 Miri-Yusif music video Ağ Təyyarə (White Aircraft), the title track of his fifth album.

Miri-Yusif – sounds of love and protest

10 Personalities – Miri-Yusif

Azerbaijani r’n’b and rap pioneer Miri-Yusif blends rap, poetry, melody and Azerbaijani microtones to devastating and inspirational effect


After touring the world for the past three years, the outstanding exhibition Five Roads Back Home – showcasing the work of renowned German photographer Philipp Rathmer – finally came to London on 24 November. Organised by TEAS at the iconic mid-Victorian Old Truman Brewery, which has been a leading art space in Brick Lane, London, for over two decades, the images feature a cross-section of some of the estimated one million Azerbaijani internally displaced persons (IDPs), the ongoing victims of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. These impressive and emotionally-charged images focus on their faces in stark closeup, set against a black backdrop.

Attendees at the private view included eight members of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group, headed by Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East), who has led visits to many of the IDP camps spread across the 48 regions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani and Turkish TV covered the opening, in addition to a special report on London Live television, which has an estimated daily reach of 230,000 people (BARB figures, November 2016).

Jack Pegoraro, Director, TEAS London, explained: “At the beginning of the 1990s, Armenia attacked the Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh and went on to occupy this and the seven surrounding districts. All ethnic Azerbaijanis were either killed in massacres, such as that in the town of Khojaly, or were forced to flee their homes and move to camps for IDPs and refugees within Azerbaijan.

“To this day, none have been able to return to their lands. I have been travelling to Azerbaijan for seven years, and each time we visit an IDP camp. Despite the relatively comfortable conditions, it is heartbreaking to see people totally forgotten by the outside world. They still harbour hope that such influential countries as the UK will take up their cause and help them return home. It is the duty of TEAS to fight for the rights of these people.”

H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK, commented: “Next February, we will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, when 613 civilians were killed in the worst atrocity of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Tonight’s exhibition is successful, as it brings a human dimension. People only need to look at those faces. All these people were neighbours in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is currently unfortunately occupied by Armenian armed forces. They were all driven out of their homes. Some died, and these are just a few of the survivors and their children.

“Thank you, Mr Rathmer. A project of this type was missing as this brings a human element to the victims of the conflict. Azerbaijan does not want blood or vengeance – it wants to ensure that human tragedies of this nature never happen again.”

Mr Rathmer explained his methodology: “Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the world’s forgotten conflicts. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan developed into a war in 1992 that killed thousands of people. Now, 25 years on, the conflict is far from over. A ceasefire secures a fragile peace. These IDPs suffer the consequences to this day. In 2012, I visited some of the ordinary victims of this unresolved conflict in their camps. The people told me of their fate, their hopes and their fears – some very candidly, some with a certain reticence.

“These photos show one side of the conflict – the side that had to flee and give up their homes. They represent all those who are displaced in the world’s many wars. One aspiration was common to all – they wanted to take one of the five roads leading back to the occupied regions – one of the Five Roads Back Home.”

The exhibition ran from 25–29 November, during which an estimated 300 photography aficionados visited the gallery. Visit http://bit.ly/frbhtrtworld to see a report by international Turkish television channel TRT World, introduced by Belle Lupton, which contains reflections by Philipp Rathmer and Jack Pegoraro and http://bit.ly/frbhllive for the London Live report.

15Business News

Not frozen, never forgotten – the plight of Azerbaijani internally displaced persons highlighted by the photographer’s lens

13Personalities – Javid Shahmaliyev 11Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Jack Pegoraro, Head, TEAS UK, (far left) and photographer Philipp Rathmer explain the significance of the exhibition to

members of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group (Photos: Gunel Gadirova)

Belle Lupton, reporter for TRT World, views the stunning images


Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, has been a life peer since 1997. Ten years before, she was elected as Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, before transferring to the Liberal Democrats in 1995. She was also Liberal Democrat MEP for South-East England from 1999–2009. Earlier this year, she rejoined the Conservative Party. Baroness Nicholson first visited Azerbaijan in 2005 when she was a member of the EU Election Observation Mission.

Baroness Nicholson was appointed as Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq earlier this year, succeeding the Rt. Hon. Charles Hendry MP. On 12 October she gave a briefing on UK–Azerbaijani relations in the House of Lords during an event hosted by CATBIG and British Expertise. Neil Watson caught up with her there:

The UK is still the greatest FDI contributor to Azerbaijan, chiefly through the operations of BP and related companies. How would you describe the current UK–Azerbaijani relationship?Our relationship stretches back for many years and has been extremely successful and satisfactory. Ever since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Azerbaijan emerged as a sovereign, independent nation, the UK and Azerbaijan have gone hand-in-hand, partnership-in-partnership. The two nations get on extremely well, not just in terms of trade and industry, but also socially, academically, and as friends. Since Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991, the two countries have enjoyed excellent relations.

Much of the solidarity between our two countries probably emanates from some of the leading Azerbaijanis having been

educated in the UK and having friends and connections here. There seems to be a natural affinity and friendship between Azerbaijanis and British people, and the two countries have a very easy relationship.

The BP-led Southern Energy Corridor, comprising the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is set to bring Caspian gas to Europe by 2020. How do you think this will impact UK energy prices?This project is a massive step forward and very exciting. Global gas prices reflect supply and demand. Since 2010, the gas market has been a buyers’ market, due to the rise in global LNG trade, new sources of gas coming on stream, and the fact that the USA is now an exporter of shale gas.

For Europe, and particularly markets in South-East Europe, the Southern Energy Corridor represents a new source of supply and an important contribution to energy diversity and security.

BP is playing a leading role in the Southern Energy Corridor, and I am particularly proud of their contribution. I have had the opportunity to work with BP in many other countries, including Iran, where I collaborated with them for nine years. BP is an excellent company, and it is wonderful to see them flourish like this in Azerbaijan. They have built an excellent relationship with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR) and have earned a reputation throughout Azerbaijan as a stable and trusted partner. I have seen their work in Southern Iran, and this has proven the excellent level of technical and commercial prowess embodied by the company.

You recently visited Baku to attend the International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference in the wake of the extraordinary decrease in oil prices. What was the mood at the show?I was delighted to attend the event, which took place in June, and very honoured to represent the British Prime Minister, who was David Cameron at the time, delivering a strong, powerful speech on his behalf. This underpinned our ongoing commitment towards furthering the UK–Azerbaijani relationship, which he pledged to strengthen. I also visited Baku in November as the Trade Envoy of our new Prime Minister, Theresa May, with a large delegation of companies from Scotland and other parts of the UK. The mood amongst our companies was optimistic as, despite low oil prices, the supply chain is confident that British quality and cost competitiveness means they are well-placed to take advantage of the many opportunities in Azerbaijan.

There have recently been talks between the Azerbaijani, Iranian and Russian Presidents. It seems that, with the thaw in relations with Iran, Azerbaijan may be set to act as the bridge between Russia and Iran. What do you feel is the potential for creation of a gas cartel between the countries, and what would be the impact on the UK?The geographic positioning of Azerbaijan places in it a strategic location, at the crossroads between East and West and North and South. Azerbaijan enjoys a reputation for tolerance and stability in the region, and I expect to see trade links flourish there as Iran re-emerges.

I had the good fortune to work alongside Azerbaijani MPs during my time as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly

12 Personalities – Baroness Nicholson

Baroness Nicholson: speaking from experience

Baroness Nicholson discusses the price of bread with a Bakuvian baker


13Personalities – Baroness Nicholson

of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg for around four years. I have retained those friendships, and hope to further develop these in the coming months and years as a trade envoy. I am in my current position because I am a politician, and one of my particular objectives is to get closer to Azerbaijani Parliamentarians – and not just those already involved with UK interests – just as I am becoming closer to Azerbaijani Ministers over matters of trade and industry.

Our discussions need to be deeper, including those working on different elements of trade, industry and international relations. I grew to appreciate my Azerbaijani friends at PACE in Strasbourg, and it is important that Azerbaijan plays an active role there, as the organisation has an international voice that carries some strength. It is important for Azerbaijan to speak up and become involved. I am now an Honorary Member of PACE, but I am looking forward to getting to know Azerbaijani parliamentarians from a political perspective. Many delegations of Azerbaijani MPs often come to the UK.

The devaluation of the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) has demonstrated the need for diversification of the Azerbaijani economy away from overreliance on hydrocarbon resources. How is the UK working with Azerbaijani businesses and banks to achieve this?Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has spoken about his focus on diversifying the economy. There has been an over-inflated price for oil and gas over many years, and

this has led many nations to become reliant on these revenues in the long-term. This is why Azerbaijan is looking increasingly broadly at the state of industry, and diversification as a whole. In fact, such a policy simply makes sense. No country should be reliant on just one particular product. Now is the right time and moment for diversification, even if the fall in the oil price has been the catalyst.

I know that UK financial and professional expertise would be welcome in Baku, and I hosted a delegation from Azerbaijan to London in October to start exploring how we might best share our expertise. Financial and professional services are crucial in providing support to Azerbaijani businesses. Here in the UK, we have the City of London, banks, and the Financial Conduct Authority. Many of the leaders in this sector also sit in the House of Lords. I am keen to help our friends in Azerbaijan find the right partners so that we, in the UK, can support the structural reforms in the financial sector in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, so there are great opportunities for tourism. However, development requires attention to be paid to those areas that surround tourism, such as obtaining visas and the infrastructure of the country. A significant amount of preparation will be necessary for the tourism industry to fully develop. Over the last 20 years, the UK’s strategic approach to the Visit Britain campaign has been hugely successful, and I am keen to share what we have learnt in this field.

The late UK–Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was responsible for the amazing Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku. I am of the view that Zaha Hadid Architects should revisit the country in October, and make further suggestions for buildings in Baku and elsewhere.

There are some significant agricultural programmes, and again there are commonalities. My first constituency in Devon contained a great many dairies, I can see that there are many opportunities for maximising the milk yields of their Azerbaijani counterparts. This requires a high level of investment in technical facilities, and there is great deal of potential. In all these industries, it is essential to bring together the different sides of the table with specialists from the financial and professional services sector, as raising finance for investment remains a great challenge.

What has been the impact of Brexit on the UK–Azerbaijani relationship?I believe it is true to say that our bilateral relationship can develop at an unprecedented rate in the wake of the Brexit referendum. I was recently in Iran, where I met ministers who were delighted about Brexit. This provides the groundwork for our bilateral agreements to develop more strongly, without the necessity of recourse to all the remaining 27 EU member states. I believe the UK–Azerbaijani relationship can and will become much stronger now.

Brexit materially assists the UK as it frees it from concerns and worries caused by involving all EU states in discussions. I think the UK will have an easier time in the future as it will now have a clearer voice in the international arena, and possibly become more powerful and effective.

Baroness Nicholson exchanges dialogue with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

Baroness Nicholson applauds Azerbaijani achievements in youth and sports alongside Professor Christoph Breuer, Vice-President, German Sport University Cologne, during dialogue with Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports

Baroness Nicholson enjoys the view from the top of the Maiden Tower with H.E. Dr Carole Crofts, UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan

Baroness Nicholson pays her respects to former President Heydar Aliyev, whose negotiations led to the signing of the Contract of the Century with a BP-led consortium


14 Personalities – Khadija Zeynalova

The Bakuvian composer Khadija Zeynalova is renowned for her unique contemporary classical, film and theatre music. Resident in Detmold, Germany, she is a lifetime member of the Azerbaijani Composers’ Union and Azerbaijani Association of Women in Music. In 2004, she joined the International Alliance of Women in Music, and in 2007 joined GEMA, the leading German Performance Rights Association. That year, she also won the Hamburger Klangwerktage Prize for her piece Sestinen über Vergänglichkeit for soprano and piano. As her star moves into the ascendance, Neil Watson caught up with her in Detmold to find out more:

Did you come from a musical family, and how was your musical talent initially discovered?No, I did not come from a musical family. However my parents, especially my mother, really loved music. Although none of my parents could play, they still purchased a piano even before giving birth to their first-born child – myself. I was the first person to play that piano.

I absolutely loved to dance and sing from a very early age, and my musical talent did not go unnoticed. Soon afterwards, I found myself signed up for piano lessons at a local music school. It was there, at Music School No. 3, where my journey to the musical world really began! I composed my first piece at the tender age of 11 and absolutely loved to see my name written on a score!

What music originally inspired you?I was inspired by both classical and traditional Azerbaijani folk music. Our Azerbaijani musical heritage is extremely rich, unique and very diverse, comprising various modes of mugham, folk dances, songs, and tasnifs (ballads), amongst other genres.

If you listen to my music, you will hear many

traditional Azerbaijani tunes (including mugham). I’m not trying to include these on purpose, but when I compose, these harmonies and microtones always show themselves. You can say that our national music is in my blood, which really makes my compositional style so unique.

What was the tuition like at the Baku Academy of Music at this time? Was the emphasis still on Russian music?My years at the Baku Academy of Music were very interesting and I met some of the most amazing professors and fellow students during my studies. I completed my Bachelor’s (1994–98) and Master’s (1998–2000) degrees there. Of course, the Russian school of music had a significant influence on our musical culture. One of the greatest Azerbaijani composers, Gara Garayev, was a student of the famous Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich at the Moscow Academy of Music. I studied in the class of Professor Khayyam Mirzezade who, in turn, studied in the class of Gara Garayev. There was no particular emphasis on Russian music, but obviously this was covered. I am an admirer of some Russian composers, including Igor Stravinsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Alfred Schnittke.

Of what genre were your earliest pieces? Did they combine the harmonies and microtones of mugham with classical music?My earliest pieces were written in a very classical, traditional style, and were mainly works for solo piano. As previously mentioned, I often use mugham and traditional music harmonies and microtones in my music. I really like to merge these microtones with classical ones, and combine these with contemporary compositional techniques. This synthesis of contemporary and traditional music often happens subconsciously when I am composing, and this makes my music stand out and sound so unique.

What led you to study and work in Germany?As a country, Germany has attracted me for some time. With its rich musical heritage, famous composers and flourishing artistic scene, Germany was always an interesting destination for me since I started playing my first piano pieces by famous German composers. When I made a decision to study abroad, my number one choice was obvious! I really wanted to know the German musical culture more closely. It has now been 11 years since I first moved to Germany and was accepted in the composition class of Professor Martin

Christopher Redel at the Detmold Academy of Music.

I was also a winner of two prestigious scholarships – one from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and a PhD scholarship from the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation. In 2012, I successfully completed my PhD, for which I wrote about the Azerbaijani musical culture and composers of the 20th century, being the first composer and musicologist to do so in the German language. I was very proud when the Peter-Lang Publishing House in Germany published my doctoral thesis in 2013. I am currently teaching at the Detmold Academy of Music myself.

How has your compositional approach developed?There are numerous festivals of contemporary music here in Germany, and I have participated in several of these. These include the Donaeschinger New Music Days, Wittener New Chamber Music Days, and the International Summer Course in Darmstadt. I have attended masterclasses by some prominent composers, such as Isabel Mundry, Wolfgang Rihm, Manfred Stahnke, Dieter Mack, Brian Ferneyhough, Krzystof Meyer, Jörg Widmann, and Klaus Lang. All of these had a significant impact on my development as a professional composer. I learned much from exposing myself to new compositional techniques and styles.

Have you ever orchestrated the work of other composers? If so, what are the challenges? Do you attempt to emulate their style?Yes, I have orchestrated many works by various composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdi, and Sergei Rachmaninov. When doing so, I have always strived not to alter their style. However, this very much depends on the instrumentation of the orchestra. It is very interesting to orchestrate a solo piano piece for a

The sound world of Khadija Zeynalova

The range of works composed by this talented composer is extraordinary

Khadija Zeynalova encapsulates the spirit of modernism, tradition and classicism in her unique soundscapes


large orchestra (for example, triple-play). However, I have also orchestrated for string orchestra, double-play orchestra and other configurations.

Do you also incorporate elements of jazz and jazz-mugham into your music?Yes, I really love jazz, and play it myself, especially ethnojazz, classic jazz and jazz-mugham. I have written several compositions incorporating jazz harmonies and rhythms. Examples are my solo piano piece entitled Fantasy and my Octet To Aziza, which was dedicated to my mother. Of course, there is also my latest composition, The Rise of Phoenix. I particularly like the synthesis of jazz elements with mugham and contemporary music.

What are the challenges of writing incidental music for theatrical plays? Have you ever written film scores?I have composed more than a dozen pieces of theatrical music. As a composer, it is a very different experience to write incidental music for theatrical plays, rather than for orchestra. This is because theatre music is ‘applied’ music, and it is necessary for a composer to initially read the poem or play, then the script, and can only then start composing. It is necessary to work very closely with the director.

As for film scores, so far I’ve composed music for a documentary research film for the University of Gottingen. It was a four-minute piece. The director just sent me his concept, without any video, and I had to take it from there. I really enjoy writing film and theatrical music – it is a different challenge for a composer, but very interesting. I have not written music for a longer film, although I would be delighted to have the chance to compose for a Hollywood movie!

Azerbaijan has a great history of 20th century composers who combined elements of mugham with symphonic music, including Oktay Zulfugarov, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov and Gara Garayev. Did any of these particularly influence you?

These composers have made great contributions to the development of Azerbaijani musical heritage. Naturally, they had a great impact on my evolution as composer and musicologist.

As previously mentioned, Gara Garayev was teacher of my Professor – Khayyam Mirzezade. This link cannot be understated and I consider myself to be a “granddaughter” of such famous composers. Furthermore, as a musicologist I have written about Uzeyir Hajibeyli,

Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, and Gara Garayev in my PhD dissertation. I analysed several of their works, including the Third Symphony of Gara Garayev.

What is your view of such avant-garde composers as Stockhausen, Berio and Ligeti?I really love such avant-garde composers. Whilst attending various festivals in Germany, I had the chance to meet leading avant-garde composers like Pierre Boulez, Mauricio Kagel, Wolfgang Rihm and György Kurtag.

What is the future of Azerbaijani classical music?I believe we have many talented composers and musicians, and I genuinely hope that the next generation will continue the traditions of our famous composers and create unique compositions, despite any influences to the contrary. They will be the contemporary composers of our time.

How do you see your career progressing?It’s a very interesting question. I see myself in the future as a Professor of Composition and Musicology. I also aspire to be a composer that is not only famous in Azerbaijan, but in many other countries. I see myself working with some of the famous conductors, orchestras, ensembles and musicians, and attending concerts of my music in some of the iconic venues around the world.

You have mentioned your concerts. Have there been many concerts of your music outside of Azerbaijan? Yes, there have been numerous performances of my award-winning compositions in Germany, France, the UK, Cyprus, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Oman and many other countries. My dream is to hear my works performed across all continents.

Visit www.khadijazeynalova.com to learn more about the exciting work of

Khadija Zeynalova.

15Personalities – Khadija Zeynalova

Khadija discusses composition and orchestration with Pierre Boulez, conductor and the father of musical serialism

A remarkable composition by Khadija is performed in the open air by the Wiener Classic Orchestra (Photo: Peklar)

Khadija and Ensemble Horizante accept their applause

12 december 2016

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