BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. A presentation of
Azerbaijani director Rufat Asadov’s feature-length documentary film
“Traditions from the Depths of Centuries” was held at the State
Committee on Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.


The event was organized at the initiative of the State Committee
on Diaspora Affairs and the Sholumi Center for the Preservation of
Mountain Jewish Heritage.


The film is dedicated to the life and creative work of Albert
Rafiyev, a member of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, the Azerbaijan
Carpet Makers Association and the Union of Artists of Russia, as
well as an artist, designer, carpet expert and collector.


The documentary, a joint project of Azerbaijani and Israeli
filmmakers, highlights the centuries-old cultural ties, friendship
and mutual respect between the peoples of Azerbaijan and
Israel.


The film was produced by Shaul Siman-Tov.


The presentation was attended by members of Azerbaijan’s
Parliament, representatives of the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan,
members of the creative community, public figures, representatives
of the arts and performing arts, guests from foreign countries and
journalists.







The main theme of the film is the interaction and unity of
Azerbaijani and Jewish cultures.


Through Albert Rafiyev’s work, Azerbaijan is portrayed as a
country where people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds
have lived together in peace and mutual understanding for
centuries, with traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance
becoming an integral part of national identity.


The event highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan’s state
policy aimed at promoting tolerance and multiculturalism. It was
noted that President Ilham Aliyev continues the political course of
National Leader Heydar Aliyev, based on the protection of ethnic
and religious diversity, mutual respect among peoples and the
principles of peaceful coexistence.


The film’s first screening was held in Israel at the Embassy of
the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv, followed by a presentation
in Jerusalem. According to the film’s creative team, proposals have
already been received for screenings in the United States, Germany,
the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Russia and several other
countries.