Azerbaijan 7.2.4
Jul 25

Azerbaijan 7.2.4

  • July 25, 2019

Professional creative unions currently obtain their main funds and material-technical bases, including buildings, from the state system, but administer material, social and professional matters themselves, without state interference. Central and local authorities provide different organisational and financial support to creative unions, involving their members in national and international events and purchasing products of their art and creativity at regular intervals. In particular, special funds from the state budget are intended to support professional creative unions and other non-governmental organisations through the Ministry for Culture.

For example, AZN 3 580 096 was allocated from the state budget for 2019 to support such organisations as:

  • The Union of Azerbaijan Writers,
  • The Union of Azerbaijan Composers,
  • The Union of Azerbaijan Artists,
  • The “Azerbaijan Dunyasi” International Relations Centre,
  • The Organisation of War, Labour and Armed Forces Veterans,
  • The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society,
  • The Union of Azerbaijan Architects,
  • The Union of Azerbaijan Theatrical Workers,
  • The Union of Azerbaijan Ashıqs.
  • The Azerbaijan Council of Elders, and
  • The Union of Cinematographers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 2020, similar support was inceased to 5 523 650 AZN, and in 2021 – 5 652 029 AZN. Firstly, the sharp jump is explained by the fact that organisations such as the Azerbaijani Community of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region, Azerbaijan Children’s Fund, and an alternative Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan started to receive funding through the Ministry for Culture. Another reason for the increase in financial support is the government’s intention to support creative unions and professional cultural organisations in the difficult years of the global pandemic and in the face of reduced opportunities for them to function in the labour market fully. As a result, the cultural spaces and premises were closed. In addition, the activities of cultural and art institutions have been restricted due to the introduction of a special quarantine regime in the country to prevent the spread of a new type of coronavirus (Covid 19) infection starting from March 2020.