The Artists’ Park named after Bahruz Kangarli was put into operation and a statue to outstanding artist was erected in Nakhchivan, on May 25, 2016.
The Press of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic reported to AZERTAC that Vasif Talibov, the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic congratulated the participants of the event held on that occasion and all the creative intellectuals of the Autonomous Republic on the occasion of putting into operation the Artists’ Park named after Bahruz Kangarli and erection of the monument to the outstanding artist and said: "Bahruz Kangarli was a patriotic figure who had a rich spirit of creativity, a new style and national spirit in the Azerbaijani art. He laid the foundation of transition from medieval miniature art to realism in Azerbaijani painting, and a new painting school, enriched this art with its unique form, genre and means of expression”.
The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis said: "The task of realistic painting is to express and keep alive life or nature, not just copying them. Bahruz Kangarli, who was able to transfer the realities of his times to the canvas, brought the painting art closer to the life of the nation and reflected the country's historical past and the socio-political events of his times. The "Refugees" series created by Bahruz Kangarli reflects the painful consequences of the Armenian genocide against the Azerbaijanis. The artist reflected the tragedy of the people who lived in refugee life and conveyed truths that could not be found in the historiography to the next generations by the language of art. The paintings of Bahruz Kangarli reflecting the historical monuments and nature of Nakhchivan are also great. These works of the artist are a guide to the ancient history of Nakhchivan. The best example of the creative power of art is using the works of “Noah's tomb” series of the outstanding artist while rebuilding the tomb of Prophet Noah in Nakhchivan.
It was noted that Bahruz Kangarli, who had made a great contribution to the theater art, graphics and other genres, had created valuable works in the portrait genre, has been a person gave up to his homeland, his people and worked hard for the development of our culture. Mammadjafar Jafarov, a prominent literary critic of Azerbaijan, wrote in his memoirs that Bahruz Kangarli called passers-by to look at his personal exhibition in this area the event was held formerly named as Pushkin Street. Despite the financial difficulties, Bahruz Kangarli launched associations to teach young people the secrets of painting, and he also took care of their education. From this point of view, Bahruz Kangarli should be regarded, explored, studied and taught not only as an artist, but also as an outstanding intellectual of the Azerbaijani people. Our national leader Heydar Aliyev praised Bahruz Kangarli's personality and his rich heritage as a national treasure: "Bahruz Kangarli was a rare talent. He is the first artist in the professional painting of the Azerbaijani people. His works are one of the most outstanding examples of Azerbaijani art and culture. We must be proud of it. We must be proud that the Azerbaijani people have such talented people."
The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis said: "If Ajami Nakhchivani founded a new school in the architectural art of Azerbaijan, the famous brush master Bahruz Kangarli also created a school of realism in the Azerbaijani painting. His art is always living, and his activity is a new school in painting. The opening of the Artists' Park named after Bahruz Kangarli and the erection of a statue to him in Nakhchivan is a result of respect to Bahruz Kangarli's activities and his personality. It is a pleasure to hold the Third International Painting Festival "Nakhchivan - Cradle of Humanity" on such a historic day.
Noting the importance of the festival, the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis greeted the guests and thanked them for taking part in the opening ceremony of the monument of Bahruz Kangarli and the "Nakhchivan-Cradle of the World" drawing festival.
Ulviyya Hamzayeva, the Chairman of the Artists' Union of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan Republic said that in 2013, the Artists' Union of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was provided with a new building, where artists were provided with all the facilities and their album-catalogs were published. The discovery of young artists was also in focus, fine arts and painting at Nakhchivan State University, and teacher of fine arts specialties were opened at Nakhchivan Teachers' Institute. Important work is being done to preserve the rich heritage of prominent personalities of the Azerbaijani culture as a national treasure of our people and bring them to the next generations. Establishment of the Artists' Park named after Bahruz Kangarli in Nakhchivan according to the Order of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated November 14, 2015 indicates the attention to the heritage of Bahruz Kangarli and the high value to painting in the Autonomous Republic. Ulviya Hamzayeva thanked the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis on behalf of all the artists of the Autonomous Republic, as well as all the participants of the international drawing festival for their attention to the development of the art of painting.
Professor Aghali Ibrahimov, the Secretary of the Artists' Union of Azerbaijan, People's Artist, said that Bahruz Kangarli had a rich creative way. His works are valuable examples of Azerbaijani painting. The activities of the outstanding artist have always been highly appreciated in our country, his jubilees are celebrated, and exhibitions have been held. The Artists' Park named after him in Nakhchivan, the monument to the artist, is welcomed gratefully by all artists. It is the third time an international drawing festival is being held in Nakhchivan. Every year, the increase in the number of artists participating in this festival is the result of the value to art in the ancient land. The autonomous republic develops and becomes more modern. Nakhchivan, which has been developing in the unity of historicity and modernity, is a reminiscence of art.
The poet Asim Aliyev, the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, said: "Today, opening ceremony of the monument of the famous artist and the Artists' Park named after Bahruz Kangarli in our ancient city gladden every intellectual of our republic. Bahruz Kangarli, who created the documentary history of our ancient land with his immortal works created in the portrait and landscape genre, has been reborn today. Bahruz Kangarli is going back to our country that he traveled inch by inch as a painter today. The creative intelligentsia of the Autonomous Republic regarded this park and the statue as the continuation of the great leader Haydar Aliyev's high attention and care mission to art and craftsman.
Then Asim Aliyev read his poem "Life of Bahruz " dedicated to Bahruz Kangarli.
The member of FEMIN ART International Association of Turkey, artist-writer Hulya Sezgin made a speech at the event and stated that Nakhchivan, the cradle of humanity, makes a great impression on the visitors with its history, rich culture. The modern development of Nakhchivan, the history and culture, the hospitality of the people living here are the main themes that she refers. The park named after the outstanding artist Bahruz Kangarli and its launch are very important for us. We believe that in the future, artists will create valuable works inspiring from patriotic artist Bahruz Kangarli. Art means friendship, unity and peace. Each work of art is a remedy preserving our history, bringing present to tomorrow. As, it is written on Momuna khatun tomb in Nakhchivan city: “We pass away, but only the wind is left behind us. We die, but only a work is left as a present”.
The head of Georgia-Azerbaijan Association Tamar Lamparadze said: “Nakhchivan, the cradle of humanity” Third International Painting Festival is a symbol of art and friendship among the artists from different countries. It is great responsibility for me to participate in this festival and in the opening of Artists’ Park named after Bahruz Kangarli. The great Azerbaijani artist Bahruz Kangarli is also loved in Georgia, his creativity is appreciated highly there. Because, a part of his life passed in Tbilisi, he got education there. I will make effort to strengthen the creativity ties with the artists from Nakhchivan, to take part in the festivals and exhibitions mutually.
Then the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic opened the Artists’ Park named after Bahruz Kangarli and put the flowers in front of the monument of the great artist. They were photographed together with the participants of the “Nakhchivan, the cradle of humanity” Third International Painting Festival.
There are all conditions for artists to work in the park, green areas were created, modern lighting system was established.
The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis and the participants of the event viewed the Museum of Bahruz Kangarli.
It was noted that the exposition of the museum was enriched, photo copies of Bahruz Kangarli's works were prepared. At present, there are 830 exhibits in the fund of the museum, of which 353 are exhibited at the exposition. 51 of them are original works. Also in the museum there are 3 album-catalogs published in different years, composed of works by Bahruz Kengerli, postage stamps dedicated to the artist, “Summit of Bahruz in the art” film, the photos of the artist, personal belongings, the documents of his school years and painting tools are demonstrated.
Pedagogical technical school operated in the museum building in the beginning of the XX century and the great leader Heydar Aliyev studied here in 1936-1939. The first exposition hall on the first floor is a memorial room of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The paintings reflecting various moments of national leader Heydar Aliyev's life, the wise ideas that the Great Leader told about Bahruz Kangarli, his painting of his own are demonstrated in this room.
The member of Artists Union of Azerbaijan, People’s Artist Arif Huseynov presented the portrait of Bahruz Kangarli in graphic style to the museum.
After the acquaintance with the museum the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis met the students of fine art and drawing specialty of Nakhchivan State University, as well as with the students studying fine art specialty at Nakhchivan Teachers’ Institute, gave recommendations to take benefit from Bahruz Kangarli's creativity.