KRF Awards Young Artists Participating in the “Colors of Karabakh” (2026) Project (PHOTO)

On 7 July, an award ceremony was held for the 26 young artists
participating in the "Colors of Karabakh: From Tragedy to Triumph"
(2026) project, implemented at the initiative and organized by the
Karabakh Revival Fund (KRF), with the organizational support of the
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the
Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts (ASAFA).

This year's edition of the project shifts its primary focus from
the destruction of the past to the present and future of Garabagh,
highlighting the region's revival, the ongoing restoration and
reconstruction process, as well as its breathtaking nature and rich
cultural heritage. As part of the project, 26 young artists created
a total of 29 works of art on these themes, including 24 paintings
and 5 sculptures.

The ceremony was attended by Rahman Hajiyev, Chairman of the
Executive Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund; Natig Aliyev,
People's Artist and Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts;
Salhab Mammadov, People's Artist and Vice-Rector for International
Relations at ASAFA; Fuad Salayev, People's Artist and Vice-Rector
for Science and Creative Affairs at ASAFA; as well as the young
artists participating in the project.

Speaking about the project, Rahman Hajiyev, Chairman of the
Executive Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund, highlighted its
significance and its contribution to fostering the creativity of
young artists. According to him, "Colors of Karabakh: From Tragedy
to Triumph" (2026), a natural continuation of the "Colors of
Karabakh" project first launched in 2024, serves as an important
bridge for passing Azerbaijan's historical memory on to future
generations through the language of art.

The Chairman of the Executive Board emphasised that the
large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts being carried
out in the territories liberated from occupation under the
leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E.
Ilham Aliyev, have become a major source of inspiration for
artists. He noted that by participating in the project, the young
artists had made their own contribution to the historic mission of
restoring Garabagh.

Expressing his hope that the project would continue to expand
and be expanded to the international level in the future, Rahman
Hajiyev extended his sincere gratitude to the leadership of the
Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, led by Rector Natig Aliyev, for
their support in ensuring the project's success, as well as to the
young artists who created these remarkable works. According to him,
every artwork produced by the young artists reflects not only the
painful history of Garabagh but also the remarkable revival
currently taking place in the region and the triumphant spirit of
the Azerbaijani people.

In his remarks, Natig Aliyev, People's Artist and Rector of the
Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, highlighted the project's
exceptional role in fostering patriotism among the younger
generation and supporting the development of their creative
potential. Expressing his satisfaction with the fruitful
cooperation between the Karabakh Revival Fund and the Academy, he
highly praised the students' artistic interpretation of this
historic subject and voiced confidence in the continued success of
the project.

Natig Aliyev also thanked Rahman Hajiyev, Chairman of the
Executive Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund, for the attention and
support shown to the students, noting that these projects also make
a valuable contribution to the development of Azerbaijan's visual
arts.

The Academy's Vice-Rectors, People's Artists Salhab Mammadov and
Fuad Salayev, also addressed the participants, speaking about the
significance of the project and the artistic value of the works
presented.

Following the speeches, the award ceremony officially commenced.
The authors of the artworks created within the framework of the
"Colors of Karabakh: From Tragedy to Triumph" (2026) project were
presented with special certificates by the Karabakh Revival Fund,
as well as special scholarships established jointly by the Fund and
PASHA Capital Investment Company.

At the end of the event, the participating students expressed
their gratitude to the Fund's leadership for providing them with
this opportunity and for the high level of support shown to their
creativity. The ceremony concluded with a group photo.

The "Colors of
Karabakh" project was first implemented in 2024 at the
initiative and under the organization of the Karabakh Revival Fund,
with the organizational support of the Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts.

As part of the project, 23 talented young artists created 23
works of art, including 19 paintings and 4 sculptures. The AZN
90,200 generated from the sale of these artworks was donated to the
Karabakh Revival Fund to support the ongoing restoration and
reconstruction efforts in Garabagh.

The artworks created as part of the "Colors of Karabakh" (2026)
project will also be auctioned at a charity sale in the coming
days, with all proceeds to be donated to the Karabakh Revival
Fund.