On April 4, 2017, in the Museum of Bahruz Kangarli in Nakhchivan city, the presentation of the book “Fortune of Bahruz bey Kangarli” published under the support of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was held.
The chairman of the Artists’ Union of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Ulviyya Hamzayeva opened the event and mentioned that Nakhchivan is an old Azerbaijan land having centuries old history. In this mysterious land, well-known statesmen, poets, prominent architects, painters have grown, culture, art as well as fine art had passed a great development way. During independence years all necessary conditions have been created for the development of painting and fine art in the autonomous republic. In 2011, the 40th anniversary of Artists’ Union was held with the care and attention of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, in 2013, Artists’ Union of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was provided with a new building, the artists working in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were provided with equipped workshops, album-catalogues of the artists were published, successful artists were awarded.
The Deputy Chairman of the Board of Custodians of the Knowledge Foundation under the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Ali Hasanov made a speech at the event and mentioned that along with historical and cultural monuments of Nakhchivan, it is also famous for its outstanding personalities who had invaluable services in our country. One of these personalities is prominent artist Bahruz Kangarli who contributed to artistic treasury of Azerbaijan. Bahruz Kangarli founded the portrait and landscape genres in Azerbaijan fine art history, brought new social content to painting, enriched it with form and description means. The creativity of Bahruz Kangarli who got special painting education in Tbilisi, was formed in national spirit and style and he played an important role in the development of national painting, during this period he worked productively and created about two thousand works.
He stated that Bahruz Kangarli’s creativity is very rich. He was able to overcome the historic mission alone, which a whole creative generation had to, showing a patriotic example, he did not remain indifferent to the atrocities committed by the Armenian dashnaks and the tragedies perpetrated against our people, created the famous "Refugees" series. His works included in this series are the history text-books. The textbooks that creative intelligentsia should draw conclusions and learn. “Memory of Nakhchivan” album which is the product of his unique creativity is of great importance. Seeing this album it is possible to return the previous appearance of historical and architectural monuments in Nakhchivan, to restore them. The place of Bahruz Kangarli realism in social life and art is still relevant today and will continue to be actual in the future. According to all these attributes, Bahruz Kangarli who preserved the history of Nakhchivan, laid the foundation of realistic fine art, contributed to artistic art treasure, gained the right to live forever in the history of Azerbaijani culture as a faithful citizen and creative intellectual.
The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov who underlined the importance of the study of the great artist's life and creativity in this regard, said: “Bahruz Kangarli's personality should be regarded not only as an artist, but also as an outstanding intellectual of the Azerbaijani people, to explore, to learn and teach”. With the care and attention of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, measures have been prepared and carried out to study the life and creativity of the outstanding artist, as well as to preserve his unique heritage as the treasure of our people and bring it to coming generations. On the basis of the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated February 15, 2001 “On to be immortalized the name of Bahruz Kangarli”, the tomb of Bahruz Kangarli in Nakhchivan city was restored, the exhibition hall of the Artists’ Union of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic which has been operating since 1972 was named after the artist. In accordance with the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated May 22, 2001 “On the establishment of the Museum of Bahruz Kangarli”, the Museum of Bahruz Kangarli was established, about 200 paintings of the artist at the Azerbaijan State Museum of Art were copied, and more than 50 paintings were given to the museum. According to the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of 12 January 2012, the jubilee of the outstanding painter was celebrated in the autonomous republic, the Museum Bahruz Kangarli was renovated and its exposition was enriched, postage stamps issued, a scientific conference was held, the documentary film "Summit of Bahruz in the art" was prepared by the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
On the basis of the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated November 14, 2015, Artists’ Park was established and the monument of Bahruz Kangarli was erected here. Measures in the field of studying and promoting Bahruz Kangarli’s heritage were carried out by the recommendation and protection of the leader of the autonomous republic, various editions, album-catalogues were prepared and published. The book “Fortune of Bahruz bey Kangarli” published by the order and protection of the respected leader of the Supreme Majlis which is presenting today, also draws attention, first of all, as a logical continuation of the great work related to the great artist. This 512-page fundamental edition has great scientific significance. In the sense that many issues related to Bahruz Kengerli's life and creativity were first clarified here, some historical facts were defined more exactly, the creative environment of Bahruz Kangarli's life was also studied, and serious scientific and historical results were produced.
The Deputy Chairman of the Board of Custodians of the Knowledge Foundation under the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Mr. Vasif Talibov, the great protector of Bahruz Kangarli’s creativity, on behalf of the participants of the event for valuable publication, which has a significant value in the scientific and creative environment of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ali Hasanov mentioned that the book "Fortune of Behruz Bey Kangarli", is a product of great labor and research work published at the high polygraphic level, he thanked all those who contributed to this book, as well as to the authors of the book, he congratulated the creative intellectuals on the occasion of Bahruz Kangarli's 125th jubilee, as well as this edition making a worthy contribution to the jubilee.
The minister of culture and tourism of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Natavan Gadimova, the professor of Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, People's Artist Arif Huseynov, the chairman of the Writers' Union of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Asim Aliyev, the teacher of the Department of Fine Arts of Nakhchivan State University Habiba Allahverdiyeva made speeches at the presentation and stated that the new edition is a great contribution to Azerbaijani culture and art.
The authors of the book "Fortune of Bahruz bey Kangarli" - docent of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, PhD in the study of art Ziyadkhan Aliyev and the teacher of the Nakhchivan Teachers' Institute, art critic Nizami Aliev made speeches. The authors mentioned that although several books and monographs about Bahruz Kangarli were published during the Soviet era, the repeated mistakes made the need for a new research work. In the book, Bahruz Kangarli's life and creativity were re-examined, archives were collected and analyzed. Unlike previous studies, new and interesting facts about the artist's life were revealed. The book deals with the orders of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on Bahruz Kangarli, paintings dedicated to the outstanding artist, photographs of sculpture examples, artistic examples and valuable ideas about the artist. The authors expressed their deep gratitude to the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the great companion of art figures, who did not deny his personal assistance and care for the publication of the book.
Then the participants of the event viewed the Museum of Bahruz Kangarli.