Closing ceremony of the “Korean Film Festival in Azerbaijan” was held in Gabala.

“Korean Film Festival in Azerbaijan” co-organized by the Foundation of Culture of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association (SEBA), Korea Foundation and supported by the Embassy of Korea in Azerbaijan, which took place since August 6 till August 15, was finished.The official closing ceremony of the festival was held on August 15 at Congress Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Gabala. At the beginning, the guests laid flowers at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev, paid tribute to his memory. Then the Head of Gabala Region Executive Power Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev met with the organizers and participants of the festival in Gabala Culture Center. At the meeting, the guests were provided with information about the history, population and economic potential of Gabala, were presented with gifts. At the closing ceremony held at the Congress Center of Heydar Aliyev Head of the Region Executive Power Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev in his speech spoke about the rapid development of our independent country in the socio-economic field, large-scale projects carried out through the hard and focused activities of the Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, great work carried out on the improvement and creation, and noted the sense of pride and joy to every citizen, including people of Gabala, for dynamic economic progress. Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev noted the fact that our country is rapidly moving on the path of socio-economic progress, much attention is paid also to the development of culture, art, and he stressed that Korean Film Festival that took place from August 7 to 15 in Gabala, and today successfully ended, has been implemented thanks to these attention and care. He noted that the event held by the Foundation of Culture of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association (SEBA), and Embassy of Korea in Azerbaijan, has left everyone feeling of satisfaction from holding the festival of Korean cinema in Azerbaijan, including in Gabala, and this significant event allowed the audience of Gabala to familiarize with the culture, the arts and the people of Korea, deeply feel the flavor of Korea. In his speech, the Head of the Region Executive Power noted praised by Gabala people all ambitious projects undertaken by the SEBA Association, and exhibitions to be held this year, the archaeological research conducted in the historical and cultural reserve of Chukhur Gabala broadcasting the ancient and glorious history. Then the chairman of SEBA Association Ruhangiz Heydarova, said in her speech of the representation of 10 Korean films of particular value because of the philosophical, psychological, social, political significance in 5 regions and that 21,000 spectators took part in this festival. Noting that all films have been dubbed into Azeri language with the support of SEBA, Chairman of the SEBA Association Ruhangiz Heydarova said that the holding of the closing ceremony of the Festival in Gabala was not accidental, Gabala, as the ancient cultural capital of Azerbaijan, has repeatedly successfully hosted the prestigious international meetings, scientific symposia, cultural events, music festivals, exhibitions and conferences, and at the same time, sports competitions. Speaking in her speech about the invaluable contribution of the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Foundation of Culture of Azerbaijan, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva in the promotion of Azerbaijani culture in the world, Ruhangiz Heydarova expressed her appreciation for the support provided in the implementation on high-level of "Korean Film Festival", which was first held in our country. During the event, people's artist, chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan Shafiga Mammadova, Honored Artist, film director Ayaz Salaev, in their speeches talked about the importance of holding such festivals for the promotion and development of film culture. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Azerbaijan Mr. Choi Suk-Ying in his speech spoke about the national and spiritual values of the two countries, said that in recent years, the relations between Azerbaijan and Korea are developing increasingly, expressed confidence that the films shown at the festival will create a better understanding of Korea at the Azerbaijani audience. In his speech, taking part at the event, MP, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Republic Fattah Heydarov, praised held in Azerbaijan "Korean Film Festival" as a bright cultural event, he noted that the movies presented at the festival, enable the Azerbaijani viewers to learn about the history, culture, customs and traditions of the Korean people. He said that the main criterion to achieve these successes is the successful continuation by the President of Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev of the course of development, defined by our national leader Heydar Aliyev, which resulted in the rapid development of our independent country in the socio-economic sphere. After performances at the festival audience in each of 5 regions was shown a presentation of 10 films and a documentary about the event. In conclusion, the Korean director Lee Hyeon-jong has shown the film "Steal My Heart" filmed in 2013. The event participants were presented with a variety of gifts, at the same time, the Korea Foundation presented video discs reflecting the culture and history of Korea. The closing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, filmmakers Ilgar Najaf and Asif Rustamov, screenwriter, honored art worker Baba Veziroglu and others.