Yesterday after overhaul and reconstruction, the Baku Palace of Happiness opened. The famous architect Joseph Ploshko, commissioned by the millionaire Murtuza Mukhtarov, designed this building in the early twentieth century. The oil tycoon decided to donate the house to his wife Lisa Tuganova, who enjoyed a similar building in the Gothic style in Venice.
When the Bolsheviks came to expropriate the building, Murtuza Bey demanded that the Red Army soldiers not stain the parquet floor with their dirty boots. This remark caused a skirmish, during which Murtuza Mukhtarov was shot by the Bolsheviks.
In the Soviet period, this building was used as the Palace of Wedding Parties. In 2007 the building was closed for repairs. The general restoration and reconstruction of the building were carried out under a project with French and Italian experts.
As stated in the official report, the restoration included dividing the building into two parts. The first part is intended for business meetings and official receptions, and the second one is for the organization of wedding ceremonies. However, it is unclear who will conduct official meetings and to whose balance the building was transferred. It is also unknown how much money was spent on the repairs and from what sources it came from. We only know that all the repair work was directed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. -02D-
Culture
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The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Azerbaijan, in partnership with the Embassies of the EU Member States will hold the second “Taste of Europe” Culinary Festival at the Aquatic Palace, the European Games Park on 6 October 2024. This is an outdoor event to showcase the European cuisine to the Azerbaijani public.
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Amid Baku’s vibrant art scene, where new exhibitions are unveiled almost weekly, one in particular has managed to stand out. What draws the crowds is not bold colors or avant-garde concepts, but rather the sepia tones of century-old photographs, still brimming with the vivid essence of a bygone era.
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In a diplomatic gesture that blends art with international relations, the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan hosted an evening that reimagined the role of embassies as cultural conduits. On September 30, U.S. Ambassador Mark Libby opened his residence to an event titled “Art in Embassies,” welcoming Azerbaijani and international guests to explore the artistic ties between the two countries.
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Swiss singer Sophie de Kua will give concerts in Baku as part of her "Cultural Bridges Tour." The first concert is scheduled for September 18 at 7:00 PM at the Rashid Behbudov Theatre, initiated by the Swiss Embassy in Azerbaijan.
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