Sunday, June 19, 2011

Azerbaijan and Italy...

There must be people that enjoy cool or even cold weather and there are the ones that love heat or maybe better warmth of generous Sun...

We in Azerbaijan enjoy sun during most months of the year…cold weather is something that I can’t really enjoy, warmth - this is what I am looking forward to during mild winter in Azerbaijan…

Earlier this month we had a trip to Italy. Azerbaijan is for the third time participating in Venice Biennale and we of course traveled to support the artists and organizers and enjoy Biennale overall.

Each trip brings different thoughts and this time I was thinking that Italy and Azerbaijan have many things in common. Both are passionate about music, art, beauty, good food, easily loose temper, enjoy noisy family affairs, can leave messages on reception like “will be back soon….”, have the notion like as it says in “Eat, Pray, Love” “the pleasure or enjoyment of not doing anything”…that means relaxing a bit longer and more often than people of north if I may say…without feeling self-conscious…All these characters and southern temperament can have many positive and not only results…That is the effect of Sun ))…genetically Sun warmed up blood of southern people and people are born with warm hearts and high temper…talking louder and approaching closer...eating more and driving crazier…that is nature and it usually takes over…modern people are adapting their temper and nature and people in the regions like in mountainous Sheki are shy and much quieter anyway…

Italy has had rich history and invites everyone to Venice to enjoy biennale of modern art. It is hard to say if people enjoy modern art or grandness of the past more. History will say its word about modern art but beauty, uniqueness and value of historic places and art are indisputable…

This year Italy celebrated 150th anniversary of the country’s unification. Azerbaijan feels for it since by XVIII century Azerbaijan itself consisted of a few independent Khanliqs (principalities). In 1828 per so called Turkmenchay Peace Treaty Azerbaijan was divided between Russian Empire and Persia. It was possible to establish Democratic Republic in 1918 only and just for two years. Azerbaijan regained its independence back in 1991.

Thus history, culture and temper of Italy and Azerbaijan somehow echoed for me during this trip and I decided to write this post and share it with you.

On this note I want to wish everyone happy and sunny summer and post two photos one taken inside Sheki Khan Sarayi in Sheki and one in Duomo in Milan. Similar things bring admiration, enjoyment and happiness to people no matter location, race or religion…as long as there is peace and financial ability to think about something more than food and shelter…

Inside Duomo, Milan...

Inside Sheki Khan Palace, Sheki...

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