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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While the electronic music scene in Azerbaijan has been growing in recent years, the number of female DJs remains limited. Women who want to establish themselves in the industry not only need technical skills but also have to fight against societal expectations and gender imbalances in the music business.
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With sustainability initiatives gaining momentum worldwide, the European Union's "Green Future 2025" competition has emerged as a platform for young innovators in Azerbaijan to present business-driven solutions to environmental challenges. The fourth edition of the competition, held in Baku, showcased the creativity and commitment of Azerbaijani youth to green innovation, reinforcing the EU’s broader "For Our Planet" campaign.
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In a celebration of artistic exchange and cultural diplomacy, the Ambassador Cultural Club in Baku hosted the third phase of the “Hungary Through the Eyes of Azerbaijani Artists” project, featuring a curated exhibition of paintings inspired by Hungarian traditions and heritage. The initiative, organized by the Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan and the independent arts platform «Arts Council Azerbaijan», marks a deepening of artistic and cultural ties between the two nations.
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Ahmet Güneştekin answered questions from Turan Information Agency a few days after the opening of his solo exhibition, Lost Alphabet, held in the 8,000-square-meter indoor halls of the Feshane Cultural Center, managed by the Istanbul Municipality. The exhibition, inaugurated by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, will remain open until July 20.
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