The opening ceremony of Gabala IV International Art Exhibition was held.

On December 19, International Art Exhibition was opened in Gabala. The participants of the international exhibition, organized by Foundation of Azerbaijan Culture together with Azerbaijan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association SEBA (Seoul-Baku) with participation of 112 artists from 19 countries: Azerbaijan, Germany, Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Japan, Greece, Mexico, Montenegro, and Uzbekistan, held in Heydar Aliyev Congress Centre, first visited Heydar Aliyev Centre, Beltmann Piano Factory, Gabala Shooting Complex, Gabala State Historical and Artistic Reserve, Tufandag Winter Summer Tourism Holiday Complex. Gabala IV International Art Exhibition entitled "Sports! Beauty! Life!" with the participation of famous artists started with a screening of the documentary "Azerbaijan statehood and culture". In her opening remarks, the chairman of Azerbaijan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association SEBA (Seoul-Baku) Ruhangiz Heydarova mentioned the importance of the event. She noted that the exhibition is a continuation of the projects carried out in the direction of large-scale propaganda of our culture, and expressed gratitude to President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Foundation of Azerbaijan Culture, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva directly contributed to the event. The Chairman stressed that a large number of painters and sculptors participated at the exhibition and countries presented by them shows that the interest to this project is growing every year. In turn, this paves the way for strengthening friendship and cultural ties between various countries, as another indicator of interest to Azerbaijan and our art. At the event, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov read to the participants of the exhibition a congratulatory letter from the President of Azerbaijani Culture Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva. Anar Alakbarov spoke about the importance attached by the national leader Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani culture, art, works related to the development of crafts like painting and sculpture, the merits of the President Ilham Aliyev and President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva in the preservation of our national cultural heritage, representing the world of our culture, art, music. Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nazim Samadov, Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts Omar Eldarov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in our country Kim Chang Gyu, Deputy chairman of the Federation Council of Russian Federal Assembly Ilyas Umakhanov spoke afterwards and mentioned that the exhibition is an integral part of intercultural dialogue and wished the traditional celebration of this holiday of art. The guests noted that the exhibition showcasing the colourful works of art would remain in the memory of visitors forever, and expressed the hope that the beautiful and captivating nature of Gabala would be a source of inspiration for artists. After the speeches, a red band was cut, indicating the opening of the exhibition, and the works were shown. Designing of exhibition and represented paintings impressed the participants of the event, the artists who demonstrated the works were awarded certificates. During the event the Minister aof Emergency Situations Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, the deputy chairman of the Milli Majlis Bahar Muradova, Rector of the Baku State University academician Abel Maharramov, chairman of the Council of Elders of the Republic, MP Fattah Heydarov, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Russia and the USSR Tahir Salahov, state and government officials, artists and cultural figures. A world-famous actor and director Steven Seagal was also among the participants of the ceremony. The exhibition will run until January 17, 2016.