The Law on Culture (No.506-IVQ of December 21, 2012) defines a creative person as an individual who creates cultural values, including pedagogical and scientific research activities within the cultural sector. Protecting the rights of creative individuals operating in both state and private cultural institutions and implementing creative activities are among the main directions of state policy in culture. Moreover, the organisation of incentives for cultural workers and creative individuals for their services and contributions to cultural development is among the state’s duties in the cultural field. Creative persons, legal entities, cultural institutions and non-governmental organisations may be the subjects of cultural activity. Article 24 of the law states, “Anyone can engage in professional or amateur creative activities. The state supports creative activity in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The state takes economic measures to develop professional creativity”.
The Law on Non-Governmental Organizations (Public Associations and Foundations) (No.894-IQ of June 13, 2000) determines the rules for establishing, operating, reorganising, and liquidating non-governmental organisations as legal entities and their relations with public authorities.
The Rules for Preparation, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of State Programs (No.1294 of March 6, 2021) requires that public hearings and discussions must be provided during the preparation of the draft of any state programs, strategies, national action plans, concepts and other similar documents, including in the field of culture. Furthermore, the Law on Public Participation (№ 816-IVQ of November 22, 2013) prescribes such public hearings and discussions.
A multi-branched system of creative unions continues to function and operate mainly as professional unions and play an essential role in cultural life as well as in preparation strategies to stimulate employment and a better social situation for artists and cultural professionals:
- The Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, established in 1934, is the largest public organisation of Azerbaijani writers, poets, and translators.
- The Azerbaijan Composers’ Union (established in 1934) unites in its ranks highly qualified professional composers and musicologists;
- The Azerbaijan Architects’ Union (established in 1934) focuses on improving the effectiveness of all types of architectural work, developing architectural and urban planning activities, strengthening international cooperation and developing national culture;
- The Azerbaijan Cinematographers’ Union (established in 1963) is a public organisation that voluntarily unites professional creative cinema workers in Azerbaijan;
- The Azerbaijan Artists’ Union (established in 1940) is a public creative organisation of professional artists and art critics;
- The Azerbaijan Theatre Workers’ Union, founded in 1897 as the “Union of Actors”, is an extensive public organisation uniting theatrical figures in Azerbaijan;
- The Azerbaijan Ashiq Union (established in 1982) is an independent public organisation that develops and promotes the Art of Ashiq.
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