Friday, August 26, 2011

Axır Cumay...Axır Cümə...or Last Friday of Ramadan...

Last Fridays of Ramadan are called Axır Cumay in Sheki. Cümə means Friday in Azeri but since Sheki has quite a strong dialect many words are told differently, the same is with the name of this day. Axır Cumay means last Friday and on last Fridays of Ramadan people in Sheki remember those who unfortunately are not with them any longer and go to cemeteries. In cemeteries people say their prayers or ask Mollahs to say the prayers for them, quite often do some cleaning of grass etc and simply remember.

Today there was a heavy rain in Sheki, nevertheless people paid respect and respected the tradition...

How can one be wiser and kinder if does not try to remember wisdom of the past and people that made past years special. This is something to be passed to children so that they build upon what has already been achieved and don't have to start over...actually quite a number of things are inherited genetically too...there are so many answers in the past...

Today we had a heavy rain in Baku as well...at the same time sun was shining...and it made me think that rain and sun means...yes rainbow...and guess what I raised my eyes to see rainbow above me...it was amazing...I even wanted to say to people around stop, raise your eyes or you will miss the rainbow...but then thought that they wouldn't understand and didn't...but did take photos...not of great quality but still...A friend of mine took a better photo with better view so I am sharing it as well.

Let there always be people around us who are like rainbow in our lives. Either they are with us or not we will always remember their warmth...

Be well...

rainbow...
rainbow not to miss...

courtesy of Vugar Muradov...

Share

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Summer motives…

Paradox of summer is that in parallel of being leisure time it’s also time when graduates are applying to universities. This means a lot of stress for families (and families in Azerbaijan usually love living through the stress together:) and lots of last minute studying and panic by graduates who envy those who are enjoying sun and sea. Usually all relatives are eagerly expecting the results and worry together with families. Independence brought to Azerbaijan equal rights for youngsters to apply to universities they wish. Soviet system rooted corruption to education system when people were divided into those who could “afford” prestigious universities and those that either had their hearts broken cause were not accepted unfairly or would persistently apply year after year until they would break the barricades of system. It’s good to see that education continues to be high on the agenda for many. With borders open many travel to study abroad as well. Things are not perfect but there are almost equal (since there is nothing absolutely equal I am afraid) opportunities out there and this I think is very important. I wish good luck to all and hope they remember that feeling of happiness they have when they reach what they wish. These moments are important to warm ones heart and be a happy person in general!! Happier people happier planet...hopefully )

Today I am posting several photos that would convey a little bit of summer: a photo of the entrance exam atmosphere, photos from International Art Festival “Qız Qalası” that took place this summer again. Here is my last year post on festival with video featuring the event and Baku of course. And photos I took on Caspian with youth getting the most of summer...

expecting examinees...traditionally and historically almost every examinee in Azerbaijan goes to entry exam with one or several family members...photo courtesy of Nazim Dadashov...
International Art Festival “Qız Qalası”...photo courtesy of Tagi Jafarov...
kites of the festival...photo courtesy of Tagi Jafarov...
photo courtesy of Tagi Jafarov...
youth getting the most of summer...

Share