Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku International Multiculturalism Centre Azerbaijani Multiculturalism Textbook for Higher Education

4.6.5. Monumental Art

The historical and geographical location of Azerbaijan has determined its tolerance, its attempts to enrich its culture through the culture of other nations and its desire to understand the achievements of other peoples while retaining its originality and its aspiration to join world culture. These are the main qualities and characteristics of the development of the culture of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is located at the intersection of east and west, north and south, where Islamic and Christian cultures merge. It has

Section II

Chapter 4

227

Azerbaijani Multiculturalism

228

successfully undertaken its historical mission as a bridge between these worlds.

Since ancient times – the Neolithic era – there have been pictures of boats with many oarsmen on the rocks in Qobustan. These galleys could not have belonged to the inhabitants of Qobustan. The images reflect the boats the local people saw on the Caspian Sea. Since the times of Homer, or perhaps much earlier, the Greeks tried to cross from the Black Sea to the Caspian in galleys rowed by many men. In those times the Caspian Sea was larger and there was a waterway connecting it with the Black Sea. According to Homer, the Greeks sailed these seas in search of the golden fleece.

The Caspian Sea had links with the Aral Sea to the east in Central Asia. There were many towns with high-level cultures and architecture on the ancient coast of the Caspian Sea. Traces of these cities can be seen from the air. Perhaps the Stone Age inhabitants of Qobustan saw the ancient Greeks in their galleys and carved their drawings on the rocks. This is the earliest evidence of the rapprochement of the cultures of different peoples in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan was a centre of Zoroastrianism and a country with a high level of architecture and construction before the spread of Islam; the Maiden Tower is evidence of this. Early Christian churches remain in the territory of Azerbaijan; for example, the church in the village of Kish. There were many similar churches in Azerbaijan in the era of Caucasian Albania.

Located on the central part of the ancient Silk Road, Azerbaijan was inevitably influenced by the creativity behind the goods transported from east to west, north to south and back.

Azerbaijan, considered the land of fire since ancient times, became a Klondike or a world centre of oil production in the 19th

century, attracting the attention of the economic and industrial forces of the world. The Nobels, Rothschilds, and others came to Azerbaijan, influencing the course of the country’s history. However, national business circles always held the leading position in the oil industry. Throughout history the Azerbaijani people have been inclined towards business and have been responsible for the majority of production.

Azerbaijan produced 90 per cent of the world’s oil during its oil boom. Despite the fact that big major European entrepreneurs worked in Baku, national businessmen possessed the main share of oil production. The oil barons grew rich and invested money in construction. They would commission houses to be built in different styles from classical, through Gothic to the modern style of that period. The period was known as ‘the Roofless Baku Renaissance’, as the majority of buildings had flat roofs covered in pitch.

Architects from different countries began to move to Azerbaijan and a building boom began, with buildings being constructed in the European architectural style.

Architects of different nationalities worked in Baku, but it was Polish architects that made the most significant contribution to the construction of the city. The Ismailliya Palace (now the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences) was built in the Venetian style by a Polish architect, Jozef Ploszko. Another Polish architect Jozef Goslawski also designed many buildings in Baku, the finest of which is the European-style city hall, the present-day mayor’s office.

The buildings of Russian architect Bayev also deserve mention. He designed many buildings in Baku connected with transportation, and was responsible for almost all the railway stations in the country. The best and most striking example is the central railway station in Baku, formerly known as the Sabunchu Railway Station,

Section II

Chapter 4

229

Azerbaijani Multiculturalism

230

with a clock tower resembling a minaret and its crenelated roof.

Bayev also designed a number of industrial buildings.

In subsequent years, avant-garde architects the Vesnin brothers worked in Soviet Baku and Shchusev designed the Intourist Hotel. After World War II, the architect Rudnev designed Government House. Azerbaijani architects designed many buildings during this period too. The buildings of Dadashov and Useynov were particularly striking. Mikayil Useynov designed several buildings that set the city’s main style until the independence of Azerbaijan.

The intelligentsia of Azerbaijan and its creative forces have always tried to interact with other cultures. Mirza Shafi Vazeh, Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Huseyn Javid and others contributed to the development of culture through their work.

Foreign sculptors, including Erzia, Sinayski, Sabsai and Tripolskaya, also worked in Baku. Local sculptors, including Fuad Abdurrahmanov, Jalal Qaryaghdi, Huseyn Ahmadov and Zivar Mammadova, took the leading role in national architecture.

The fine art of Azerbaijan acquired features of world and European styles, but preserved its national identity too. The work of Bahruz Kangarli and Azim Azimzada and, later, of a whole generation of prominent Azerbaijani artists are brilliant examples of this. The development of modern architecture and construction in Baku and other towns and cities of the country is further confirmation of this combination of the national and international. These are the qualities that have helped the capital and the whole country develop so rapidly and attract the attention of the whole world community. The energetic and businesslike character of the Azerbaijani people ensures their future development.

Baku and Azerbaijan, as a whole, are developing rapidly without losing their originality because of their multiculturalism. Mugham in music, carpet weaving in applied arts and ornamentation in

architecture are national achievements acquired over centuries. National Azerbaijani views on beauty in new forms of art merge with the views of world culture.