The national cultural policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan is developed based on universal values and the national history of statehood and culture. It aligns with principles of cultural policy, such as promoting identity and diversity, supporting creativity, engaging in cultural life, and respecting artistic rights and ethics. Due to general development and the establishment of an independent state policy, the Concept of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, approved by Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No.273, dated 14 February 2014, has created a systematic approach to understanding the main cultural policy objectives at the highest executive level in the field of culture. Thus, the national cultural policy implemented in recent years involves adjusting the mechanisms of cultural policy provision to meet the actual requirements of cultural activity, which primarily implies the improvement and further development of culture:
- Legislation (national, international, copyright);
- Financing (public budget, paid cultural services, fundraising);
- Administration (public institutions, creative unions, private enterprises);
- Information (research, databases, mass media);
- Human resources (education and training, social security, encouragement);
- Infrastructure (buildings, equipment, supply);
- International cooperation (multilateral, bilateral, diaspora).
In this regard, it is worth noting that the national cultural policy is based on a model of harmonious development rooted in historical continuity. This perspective is essential for establishing a comprehensive approach to practical integrating artefacts from various eras of the history of Azerbaijani culture, in which ttraditional folk creativity coexists with contemporary artistic innovations, the rock paintings of Gobustan and Nakhchivan, which date back tens of thousands of years, coexist with the first opera and ballet in the East, classical mugham and the art of ashiq alongside symphonic mugham and jazz mugham, as well as cinema that emerged in Azerbaijan in the 19th century, along with various creative cultural technologies. These and many other cultural expressions are alive and evolving, requiring increased attention and responsibility toward future generations.
In light of this, a temporal “yesterday-today-tomorrow” approach has been incorporated into the current national cultural policy. Consequently, the various manifestations of culture are typically categorised as follows:
- cultural heritage, which includes tangible immovable, movable, and intangible heritage;
- professional arts, comprising music, theatre, and fine arts; and
- creative cultural industries, covering cinematography, publishing, and cross-sectoral industries.
The temporal classification provides opportunities for targeted and qualified development of state programs, setting specific tasks and monitoring key performance indicators.
Along with the above, the national cultural policy is not content with what has been achieved: it is constantly developing, comprehending, and rethinking itself in connection with rapidly changing global trends and new prospects for the country’s development, especially after the restoration of the internationally recognised territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is evidenced by the Public Forums organised in 2023 as part of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, and addressing various spheres of culture, such as the Theatre Forum (April 11-12, 2023), the Cinema Forum (April 20-21, 2023), the Azerbaijani Language and Literature Forum (September 2-4, 2023), the Music Forum (October 29-31, 2023), the Culture and Creative Industries Forum (November 28-30, 2023) and the Cultural Heritage Forum (December 18-20, 2023), with impressive statistics on professional engagement: over 5,000 participants, including eminent persons from corresponding spheres, over 150 reports on relevant topics across within more than 30 panel discussions, 250+ proposals, and so on.
The draft “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan, developed by the Ministry of Culture, is one of the key outcomes of the public discussions. Based on a detailed analysis of global trends and the current situation and following the proposed goals and objectives, the draft “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept puts forward the eight main activity priorities for the cultural policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to be implemented in a systematic, sustainable and interconnected manner such as Management in the field of Culture; Azerbaijani Language; Culture of Behavior and Culture of Knowledge; Literature; Art; Cultural Heritage; Creative Cultural Industries and Cultural Diplomacy.
To ensure the implementation of the Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan “Culture of Azerbaijan – 2040”, it is planned to develop and fulfil the following primary executive documents:
- “Azerbaijani Language” – a state program on development, promotion and dissemination of the Azerbaijani language as an organic component of culture;
- “National Literature” – a state program on the development of literature;
- “National Art” – a state program on the development of art;
- “Culture of Behaviour and Culture of Knowledge” – a state program on the development of the culture of behaviour and the culture of knowledge;
- “National Heritage” – a state program for the protection and development of the cultural and natural heritage of Azerbaijan;
- “Creative Azerbaijan” – a state program for the development of cultural and creative industries in general;
- “Development of the Audiovisual Industry” – a state program focused on cinematography, other audiovisual content, and related activities.
Historical background for the past 70 years
1950-1960. Azerbaijan was part of the USSR, which occupied and liquidated the first secular parliamentary state in the East, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920). These were the years of transition to a political thaw. As a result, in 1953, the Ministry of Culture of the Azerbaijan SSR was established with minor powers.
1961-1970. The first signs of rejection of socialist realism’s principles became visible at the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s. Since that period, the arts have gradually begun to emancipate themselves from the control of Soviet ideology.
1971-1980. Large-scale measures were taken to develop the economy, and numerous industrial enterprises were created in Azerbaijan. As a result, the republic obtained funding for culture and the arts, fostering an influential creative environment.
1981-1990. A powerful surge of national and cultural awareness, which soviet tanks were trying to crush on January 20, 1990, in the streets of Baku.
1991-2000. October 18, 1991, marks the day Azerbaijan regained its independence as the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the same time, it was the years of destruction of the historical and cultural heritage and infrastructure in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia, backed by third countries. The National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, returned to power in Azerbaijan at the people’s request in 1993. Formation of independent statehood.
2001-2010. Years of establishing modern national cultural policy. Active cooperation with UNESCO, the Council of Europe, ICESCO and other international organisations.
2011-2020. The Republic of Azerbaijan initiates numerous international cultural programs and events and has become a serious global cultural and political player. The internationally recognised territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan was restored on November 10, 2020, which also meant restoring the country’s cultural integrity.
2021-present. The Great Return to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Comments are closed.