Special attention and capital investment in the cultural industries that have played an important role in the formation of global and national cultural life and have gained serious achievements in several leading countries of the world, can lead to obtaining many economic and social dividends. Therefore development of the cultural industries like cinematography and book publishing with historical traditions and future potential are positive directions of modern cultural policy.
Chart 10: Pyramid of demand
he greatest demand is for digital audio and video discs, followed by participation in pop and traditional music concerts; visits to theatre performances and cinemas are in the middle, whereas the demand for concerts of classical music and works of fine arts and decorative or applied arts is considerably smaller.
For more information see also chapter 2.5.3.
Revival of cinematography
Azerbaijan is one of only a few countries in which the history of national cinematography began in the XIX century. This rich history has several stages and it reflects the processes happening in world cinematography as well as national ones.
At present the main financing source of film production in Azerbaijan is the state budget. Financial support is realised through grants to different studios and independent producers. The following duties are necessary for the revival of the national cinematography:
- creation of a modern production basis for revival of the national film production industry;
- supporting attractive film projects for creative and cinematography purposes;
- restoration of film distribution and exhibition systems, preserving a state cinema network that meets modern requirements and privatisation of other movie theatres;
- extension of relations with foreign distribution companies, restoration of film dubbing into the Azeri language, intensification of anti-piracy activity;
- restoration, conservation and digital transformation of national films, newly received ones and their primary materials kept at the State Film Fund; and
- study and promotion of film heritage.
Chart 11: Origin of movies showing in cinemas at the end of 2014
Table 15: Movie theatres, 2005, 2010, 2014 (at the end of the year)
| 2005 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of movie theatres | 21 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
| Including: | ||||
| State | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| Non-state | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Total number of seats | 11 896 | 3 378 | 5 312 | 3 691 |
| Including: | ||||
| State | 11 529 | 3 032 | 2 928 | 1 807 |
| Non-state | 367 | 346 | 2 384 | 1 884 |
| Number of visitors | 115 400 | 83 400 | 183 900 | 235 800 |
| including: | ||||
| state | 79 00 | 20 900 | 105 500 | 154 700 |
| non-state | 36 300 | 62 500 | 78 400 | 81 100 |
| Number of attendees of cinema shows per 1 000 population | 14 | 9 | 20 | 25 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 2015; State Statistical Committee, 2015.
Table 16: Movie theatres by economic and administrative regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the end of 2014
| Economic and administrative regions and towns | Number of movie theatres | Number of attendees, thsd person |
|---|---|---|
| The Republic of Azerbaijan | 7 | 235 800 |
| Baku city – total | 5 | 221 000 |
| Nakhchivan economic region – total | 2 | 14 800 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 2015; State Statistical Committee, 2015.
Revival of book publishing
Book publishing is carried out by state and private publishing houses in the republic. These publishing houses are acting under the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Publishing and other respective legislative acts. The state publishing network includes the publishing houses under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan (“Azerneshr”, “Genjlik”, “Maarif”), The Ministry of Education (“Tehsil”), Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (“Memorial Book” State Editorial Office, “Azerbaijan National Encyclopaedia” Scientific Centre) and some other ministries, state institutions and organisations. There are more than 100 private publishing houses in the country. The following work is necessary for the improvement of national publishing work:
- provision of book publishing on scientific, social-political, artistic, publicist themes (encyclopaedias, dictionaries, multi-volumes, collections, anthology, musical publications, etc.) to a high standard;
- promotion of the translation of Azerbaijan literature samples into foreign languages and world literature samples into Azeri language and also creation of new works;
- establishment of state distribution companies for improvement of the book distribution system, partial restoration of the state book-shop network, improvement of the enrichment of library funds through the Republic Library Collection system; and
- providing access of books published in Azerbaijan to the international arena, participation in international book exhibitions-fairs, holding international book exhibitions in the country.
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