BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. Azerbaijan is
showcasing its rich cultural identity and contemporary artistic
vision at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di
Venezia, one of the world's most prestigious cultural stages,
Trend reports.
On May 7, the Azerbaijani National Pavilion officially opened,
organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of
Culture, with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy.
Located in the historic 16th-century architectural monument Campo
della Tana, the pavilion features the project titled “The
Attention” by Honored Artist Faig Ahmed. This contribution to one
of the most pivotal international platforms of contemporary art
centers around the carpet, a key and repetitive element in the
artist’s creative practice.
The pavilion presents not only the artistic and aesthetic world
of Azerbaijan to a global audience but also its tradition of
philosophical thinking, cultural memory, and modern technological
vision.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to
the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Executive Director
of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, noted that the successful
representation of Azerbaijan at the Biennale for 19 years is a
significant achievement of the country's international cultural
policy. He emphasized that the basis of this success lies in the
consistent and purposeful efforts of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
to promote Azerbaijani culture worldwide. "Participation in such a
prestigious platform as La Biennale di Venezia is a rare
opportunity to pass on our rich cultural heritage and contemporary
art potential to an international audience," Alakbarov underlined.
Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia,
described the pavilion as a profound spiritual and aesthetic
experience, noting that the universal language of art directs a
person to their inner world through the colors and signs reflected
in Azerbaijani carpets. He praised Azerbaijan as an integral and
important partner of the Biennale, stating that beauty has the
power to unite people across borders, languages, and
generations.
Rashad Aslanov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy, emphasized that
the national pavilion represents Azerbaijan’s spirit, history, and
cultural identity, serving as a vital platform for international
cultural cooperation and civilizational dialogue.
Gwendolyn Collaço, the curator of the pavilion, expressed her
gratitude to the contributors and highlighted the unique nature of
the project.
The author, Faig Ahmed, is distinguished by his unique visual
language; in his work, the traditional Azerbaijani carpet is
presented not as a decorative element, but as a metaphor for
collective memory, time, and human consciousness.
Conceptually grounded in the legacy of the prominent Azerbaijani
poet Imadaddin Nasimi and the Hurufi tradition, the exhibition
invites the viewer on an inner journey where letters, signs, and
symbols act as secret codes of the universe.
A striking feature of “The Attention” is the synthesis of
traditional art and advanced technologies, incorporating quantum
systems, neuro-reactivity, and data-driven processes. The project
draws a direct parallel between Hurufi philosophy and modern
quantum physics: in both approaches, reality is not immutable but
is formed through attention, interaction, and interpretation. In an
era characterized by information overload and chaos, the project
calls for a new inner harmony and spiritual connection.
This presentation once again demonstrates Azerbaijan's role as a
spiritual and aesthetic bridge between the East and the West.
The Venice Biennale, which has been held since 1895, is a vast
platform representing world art.
Azerbaijan has been participating in the Biennale, held every
two years, since 2007. In 2025, Azerbaijan was represented for the
first time at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
Through various expositions, Azerbaijan consistently attracts
the attention of the audience at the International Art Exhibition.
In previous years, the Azerbaijani pavilion has ranked among the
top five most impressive national displays. The consistent
presentation of works by various Azerbaijani artists and sculptors
on this international platform plays a special role in promoting
the country's contemporary art and fostering global cultural
exchange.
The 61st International Art Exhibition will be open to visitors
from May 9 to November 22.
