12 December 2016

12 / 2016 www.teas.eu
FIVE ROADS BACK HOME BRINGS THE FACES OF
KARABAKH TO LONDON
12 / 2016
www.teas.eu
Also in this issue:
TEAS capitalises on sport as a peace catalyst
Health concerns expressed over Azerbaijani hostages in Karabakh
Elchin Shirinov headlines at the EFG London Jazz Festival
The wonderful story of Yvonne Botto comes to UNESCO
Baroness Nicholson looks to the future
Culture | Public Affairs | Business
Enter the TEAS competition and win £100 of Amazon vouchers

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www.turquoisemedia.eu
The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) is a UK-registered pan-European foundation dedicated
to raising awareness of Azerbaijan and fostering closer economic, political and cultural links
between that country and the nations of Europe.
As well as promoting the positive aspects of Azerbaijan, TEAS also highlights the plight of the
875,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country. These people are
unable to return to their homes and lands because of the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh
and seven surrounding districts by Armenia’s armed forces – in defiance of four UN Security
Council resolutions.
TEAS has three main facets to its operations:
• Culture – TEAS raises awareness of Azerbaijan’s rich and vibrant culture to a worldwide
audience by organising cultural events and operating as a networking centre.
• Business – TEAS supports its membership of European and Azerbaijani businesses. It
provides a platform for organisations to establish links and strengthen their existing business
relationships via a programme of networking opportunities across the regions.
• Public Affairs – TEAS works to increase awareness about Azerbaijan amongst key opinion-
formers, key decision-makers and other political, academic and civil society stakeholders.
In pursuit of its objectives TEAS:
• Organises meetings with interested parties, opinion-formers and decision-makers
• Arranges roundtables, seminars, lectures and conferences
• Publishes pamphlets, reports, bulletins, books and produces films
• Facilitates fact-finding trips by politicians and business people.
Welcome to the TEAS Magazine
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latest news, events, campaigns
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Membership and
Sponsorship
TEAS offers a range of
corporate and individual
membership packages,
providing such benefits as
advertising, trade missions,
networking, business sector
advice and hotel discounts.
TEAS also offers numerous
sponsorship opportunities
throughout the year for its
events and conferences. To find
out more, e-mail: membership@
teas.eu.
Firstly, our congratulations go to Ilaha Abasli, who is reading for an MSc in International Development and Emerging Economies at the
Global Institutes faculty of King’s College London, winner of the competition in the November 2016 edition.
To stand a chance of winning £100 of Amazon vouchers, simply answer the following 10 questions, the answers to which will be found
in this issue of the magazine. In the case of a tie, a draw will be made. Previous winners are ineligible to enter, as are TEAS employees
and their families. Please send all entries to editor@teas.eu by 17.00hrs (GMT) on 9 January:
1. Which photographer took the horse photos published in the specially-commissioned book of the Royal Windsor Horse Show?
2. Who is the Mayor of Mulhouse?
3. In which European Principality did the international Peace and Sport Forum take place?
4. Who is the International Chairperson and Liaison Officer in the UK for the Azerbaijani Public Association on the Protection of
Cultural Heritage in the Occupied Territories?
5. Where is the ISEFAC Business School?
6. What will be the projected peak capacity of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway?
7. Who composed the song I’m a Mother, a version of which was performed by the Elchin Shirinov Trip during his concert at the
Pizza Express Jazz Club as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival?
8. When did French President François Hollande meet Yvonne Botto in Baku?
9. Who was the predecessor of Baroness Nicholson as Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq?
10. Who is the Azerbaijani Co-Chair of the EU–Azerbaijani Parliamentary Co-operation Committee?
Win £100 of Amazon vouchers!

03
From the TEAS Director
Lionel Zetter,
Director,
TEAS
Politics and News
The highlight of the 90th
birthday celebrations
for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May
was a magnificent celebration at the Royal
Windsor Horse Show, Home Park Private,
Windsor Castle, involving over 900 horses
and 1500 participants from across the
world. The spectacular weeklong event
was watched on television by over seven
million around the world.
On 25 November, the publication of
a specially-commissioned book to
commemorate the event was announced.
This features photographs by the world-
renowned photographer Henry Dallal. It
was published with the support of TEAS
and the Azerbaijani Equestrian Federation,
who between them had ensured that a
contingent of rare Karabakh Horses played
a central part in the show. The beauty of
the horses, and the skill and daring of the
riders, stunned attendees and television
viewers alike. Azerbaijani dancers also
entertained the crowds and television
audience throughout the week of the Royal
Windsor Horse Show.
The first imprint of the book was presented
to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Tale
Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS and Lieutenant-
General Elchin Guliyev, President,
Azerbaijani Equestrian Federation.
At the event, the photographer and publisher
of the book, Henry Dallal, commented: “I
am delighted with the final product, and
I hope Her Majesty the Queen is also
pleased. Text and captions have been
contributed by a variety of participants,
including Dame Helen Mirren, Andrea
Bocelli, Kylie Minogue, Shirley Bassey
and Azerbaijani dancer Guinel Sheykhova.
They bring to life the excitement of the
celebrations during those few days in May.”
Mr Heydarov said: “It was wonderful to see
how the performance by the Azerbaijan
equestrian team of Karabakh Horses and
dancers wowed the audiences. We hope
that the book will be a lovely reminder of
the celebrations for Her Majesty and for
many others.”
Our front cover depicts the opening of
the emotional exhibition Five Roads Back
Home in London, comprising stark photos
of Azerbaijani internally displaced persons
(IDPs) by award-winning photographer
Philipp Rathmer. The event was attended
by Bob Blackman MP, Chairman of the
Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group,
together with eight officers and members of
the group.
We were pleased to be able to sponsor a
book commemorating the Royal Windsor
Horse Show, including the legendary
Karabakh Horse, which this year was a
celebration of the Queen’s 90th
birthday.
A copy of the book was presented to Her
Majesty.
I was delighted to be asked to speak at the
ninth Peace and Sports Forum in Monaco.
This fantastic organisation harnesses
sport as a means of reconciling warring
communities, and brings hope to many
refugees and IDPs. Its patron is H.S.H.
Prince Albert II, who I was honoured to
meet.
On the political front, Baroness Nicholson,
Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy toAzerbaijan,
Turkmenistan and Iraq has been active in
facilitating two-way trade and investment.
Meanwhile the second anniversary of the
illegal capture by Armenian armed forces of
the two Azerbaijani hostages looms.
In the cultural field, we were delighted to
attend an event showcasing IDP art from
Nagorno-Karabakh, Kashmir and Syria
in the European Parliament. We also
facilitated the visit of jazz pianist/composer
Elchin Shirinov to the EFG London Jazz
Festival, as well as the launch at UNESCO
of the TEAS Press book on the amazing
Yvonne Botto. This issue of the magazine
also features an interview with hip-hop/rap
pioneer Miri-Yusif.
Lionel Zetter
Director, TEAS
A fearless Azerbaijani dzhigitovka rider stands atop
a golden Karabakh Horse (Photo: Kit Houghton / The
Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration)
The Queen’s 90th
Birthday: Celebratory
horse book presented
to H.M. The Queen
Azerbaijani chalet opens for the second
consecutive year at Mulhouse’s legendary
Christmas market
For the second consecutive year, TEAS France
has organised an Azerbaijani chalet at the
legendary Christmas market in Mulhouse, in
the Alsace region, following a successful first
edition in 2015.
During five weeks, visitors will be able to enjoy
Azerbaijani hospitality and taste top-quality
Azerbaijani wine, tea, pomegranate juice, rose
and fig jams, traditional pastries, paklavas
and shekerbura, together with having the
opportunity to purchase exquisite authentic
handicrafts as Christmas gifts, including
traditional kelaghayi (silk scarves), which
have been included on the UNESCO List of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,
and jorab (slipper-socks), hand-made in Guba.
They will also be able to extend their knowledge
of the Azerbaijani regions, notably the historic
city of Gabala, a new tourist destination, by
reading the books and brochures available at
the chalet.
Jean Rottner, Mayor, City of Mulhouse, basks in the
warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality on the Christmas
market stand

TEAS has highlighted the plight ofAzerbaijani
refugees and internally displaced persons
(IDPs), and the experience of the country in
dealing with those communities, during the
ninth edition of the international Peace and
Sport Forum held from 23–25 November
under the High Patronage of H.S.H Prince
Albert II of Monaco. The event came in
the wake of the signing of a partnership
agreement between TEAS and the Monaco-
based Peace and Sport Organisation in
early November in support of the One Step
for Peace charity campaign.
This year, the Forum took place in the
context of the global refugee and migrant
crisis. There were almost 64m refugees,
IDPs and asylum seekers around the globe
in 2015. The recent tremendous wave of
immigration to Europe, due to the wars that
currently ravage Iraq and Syria, has pushed
the issue of how to provide humanitarian
assistance without jeopardising security to
the top of the political agenda.
Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, took to
the floor during a session on the final
day entitled New arrivals: sport as an
integration catalyst. Participants comprised
representatives of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), the European
Commission, NGOs and athletes, who
considered the methods by which sport
can be harnessed to support integration
processes for the well-being of refugees,
migrants and IDPs. Mr Zetter shared the
Azerbaijani experience and best practice
in this field. He reminded attendees that
Azerbaijan was very much aware of these
issues, as the country has been dealing
with nearly one million refugees and IDPs
for almost 25 years. Due to the ongoing
Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, nearly one out of nine
people living in Azerbaijan is currently a
refugee or IDP, which constitutes one of
the highest ratios per capita in the world.
Tragically, a whole new generation has now
been born as IDPs and refugees.
In his speech, Mr Zetter referred to the
tremendous work that had been done by
Azerbaijani government since 1994, the
date of ceasefire, for its IDP and refugee
population. He spoke about the role of TEAS
in highlighting the plight of these ongoing
victims to European leaders through sport-
related initiatives, and provided examples
of Azerbaijani athletes and champions with
an IDP background.
During the Forum, delegates were invited to
wear pedometers as part of the ‘One Step for
Peace’ charity campaign. The total number
of steps were calculated at the end of the
three days, and subsequently TEAS donated
€20,000 (£16,800) to the field programmes
of the Peace and Sport Organisation.
Commenting on the TEAS partnership with
Peace and Sport, Mr Zetter commented:
“It has been an enormous privilege for
TEAS to partner with Peace and Sport. We
share the same values of using sport as a
tool to improve lives and promote peace.
In particular, we were pleased to sponsor
the ‘One Step for Peace’ initiative. That is
because we realise that peace is a gradual
process, and can only be achieved one step
at a time.”
This iteration of the Peace and Sport
International Forum brought together around
500 opinion-formers and stakeholders from
the worlds of sport and peace – athletes,
institutions, governments, sponsors, and
charitable associations – focusing on the
theme: ‘Game on for peace: mobilising
global change through sport’. These
experts discussed how sport could help to
foster sustainable peace and forge agents
of change, resulting in “a better, fairer and
more united world”.
Visit http://bit.ly/teaspeacesport to see
a video about the event and TEAS’
participation. Go to www.peace-sport.org
for information on the Peace and Sport
Organisation.
04 Politics and News
Azerbaijani desire for peace highlighted at International Peace and
Sport Forum in Monaco
Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, and Joël Bouzou, Chairman
and Founder, Peace and Sport Organisation, discuss the
invaluable role of sport as an integration tool for achieving
a cohesive society
Over 600 teachers, principals and educational leaders from around
the world gathered in Baku on 17–18 December for the Internation-
al Conference on Changes and Innovations Supporting Education
in the region, organised by the Azerbaijan Teacher Development
Centre (ATDC), in co-operation with TEAS.
With its theme of Empowering Learning, the conference came in
the wake of the opening of the ATDC, founded by TEAS. Speaking
at the conference, Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS,
remarked: “We are very pleased that the opening of our centre
was followed by this high-level international conference. The im-
portance of teachers cannot be overstated. For the development
of any nation, the quality of schools and the quality of teachers is
most important. The better the teachers, the better the students,
the better the future of the country.”
The two-day conference brought two leading educators to Baku –
Bill Martin from the US and Deb Masters from New Zealand. Mr
Martin commented: “Azerbaijan, as a nation, understands that the
teacher is the most important part of the system. It knows that if
regular teachers are trained to become expert teachers, they will
be successful.”
Deb Masters replied that, to achieve this, a willingness to change
is imperative. She explained: “If you don’t like change, don’t be a
teacher. And if we can exhibit to the children that even the teach-
ers are learners, we’re actually modelling that what we’re saying is
important.”
Despite the fact that Azerbaijan celebrated 25 years of independence
from the Soviet Union in 2016, some teachers are retaining Soviet-
style educational methods. Chinara Nur, Teacher Trainer, ATDC,
explained some of the challenges: “At times, we’re still struggling,
because some teachers teach the way they did in Soviet times, and
that’s the issue. A doctor with 30-year-old knowledge is not operating
on you today. You want an up-to-date surgeon, and you want new
equipment. It’s the same with teachers and classrooms.”
Parvana Guliyeva, English teacher at the European Azerbaijan
School in Baku, stressed that teaching is life-long learning. She also
outlined the dramatic educational changes in her country over the
past quarter century, stating: “In my childhood, teachers taught in
traditional ways. The classroom was very teacher-oriented. Today
it’s very different, because our classrooms are student-centred.
Nowadays, the teachers are just an invisible guide in the classroom.”
TEAS spearheads the teaching revolution

05Politics and News
A conference and exhibition entitled
Contemporary Art: Speaking Peace in
Support of Syrian Refugees has been
held in the European Parliament in
Brussels, hosted by Sajjad Karim MEP
and organised by Leyla Gasimova,
International Chairperson and Liaison
Officer in the UK for the Azerbaijani Public
Association on the Protection of Cultural
Heritage in the Occupied Territories.
In her introduction, Mrs Gasimova
commented: “My interest in humanitarian
assistance has come from the most
vulnerable part of the population in my
own country – the estimated one million
Azerbaijani refugees and internally
displaced persons (IDPs) who are
the ongoing victims of the Armenian–
Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-
Karabakh.
“Today, the Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs
share the plight of the Syrian refugees and
have expressed their wish to assist them
through art. As they too have suffered from
humanitarian disaster and crisis, by using
art they aim to demonstrate how women
and children suffer from the war and
how the historical heritage of Azerbaijan,
Kashmir and Syria has been heavily
damaged during prolonged conflicts.”
Ilkin Huseynov, an Azerbaijani IDP, related
his own painful testimony, commenting: “I
am a victim of armed conflict, and my voice
is that of Azerbaijanis, Syrians, Kashmiris
and all IDPs and refugees across the
world. For more than 20 years, my family
has been IDPs. We had to flee our homes
in 1993 after the occupation of part of
the Fuzuli region. In order to escape
Armenian aggression, we passed through
Iranian territory, as the region was under
an Armenian blockade. We then came to
one of the Azerbaijani regions. After some
time, we moved to Baku and settled in one
of the dormitories. We lost all our property
and belongings.
“Despite the help of the Azerbaijani
government, we want to return home.
The graves of our ancestors remain
on our native lands. We want to visit
them. All conditions have been created
for us here, but our homeland is there.
The humanitarian impact of modern
Azerbaijani history, and the unresolved
Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, should be better
known. It is deeply unfair that the plight
of these people is not acknowledged more
widely.”
Speeches were also delivered by Mr
Karim; Ramona Manescu MEP, Member of
the European Parliament Subcommittee
on Human Rights, and Amanda Paul,
Geopolitical and Senior Policy Analyst at
the European Policy Centre.
The second day of the exhibition
coincided with a conference focusing on
the Kashmiri issue entitled Blinded Power.
This was attended by leading members of
the Kashmiri diplomatic corps, including
Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Prime Minister
of Azad Jammu/Kashmir (Pakistan), and
by Jean Lambert MEP, Chair, European
Parliament Delegation for relations with
the countries of South Asia.
IDP artwork brings a personal dimension to the European Parliament
Ramona Manescu MEP, Member of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights outlines the dilemma of IDPs
and refugees from occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, Kashmir and Syria to Sajjad Karim MEP, Leyla Gasimova and Amanda Paul
The Pakistani delegation, headed by Raja Farooq Haider
Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu/Kashmir, view the
emotionally-charged artworks
Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Azerbaijani
Deputy Foreign Minister, has revealed
that Azerbaijan and the EU are actively
preparing to start negotiations on a
new strategic partnership agreement.
He explained that the EU position on
the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh would form one of the
cornerstones of the future agreement.
The new agreement will replace the
1996 Partnership and Co-operation
Agreement, which became effective
in 1999. This will take into account
the shared objectives and challenges
currently faced by both the EU and
Azerbaijan.
EU–Azerbaijani
partnership deal
underway
The Azerbaijani Energy Ministry and EU Working Party have discussed the issue of
Central Asian countries joining the $45bn Southern Energy Corridor, which will initially
bring Azerbaijani Caspian Gas to an Italian interconnector, thereby offering a greater
choice of supply for many countries.
Thereafter, Natig Abbasov, Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister, met representatives of
the EU Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and discussed the prospects
for energy co-operation. Malena Mard, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, replied that the
Southern Energy Corridor project would further serve to strengthen EU–Azerbaijan energy
relations, and that defining and discussing such issues would have an essential role to
play.
Mr Abbasov replied that every document to be ratified would play its role in securing co-
operation development by the two sides. The parties also discussed the possible impact
of the Turkish Stream project on the expansion of the Southern Energy Corridor and
energy co-operation with Iran. The recent development of technology parks with special
seven-year tax dispensations was also discussed, and the invitation for European energy
companies to participate in these was highlighted.
Central Asian connection to Southern
Gas Corridor – subject to EU–Azerbaijani
discussions

06
Baku hosted an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of UK–
Azerbaijani co-operation on 30 November. H.E. Dr Carole Crofts,
UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, opened the event by explaining the
significance of the three-day visit by Baroness Emma Nicholson,
Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq
(see pp.12–13).
Dr Crofts explained that the bilateral relations between the two
countries now cover all areas of co-operation, and noted that these
are based on a solid foundation traversing many sectors of mutual
interest, resulting in the sharing of experience, information and
technology. She also acknowledged that the decision of the UK to
recognise Azerbaijani independence 25 years ago had constituted
a foundation for the development of mutual co-operation.
Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister,
stressed the gratitude of the Azerbaijani government and people
to the UK government for recognising Azerbaijani independence
a quarter of a century ago, and stated that this had resulted in a
high level of bilateral co-operation between the two countries. He
particularly emphasised the role of UK companies – including BP
– in the development of the Azerbaijani oil sector. Mr Mammud-
Guliyev also outlined the extent of economic reforms currently
being implemented in order to facilitate economic diversification. He
expressed hope that the UK would continue to support Azerbaijan in
this issue. Mr Mammad-Guliyev went on to recognise the need for
the two sides to meet regularly to discuss the expansion of relations.
Baroness Nicholson recalled that the UK was the fifth country to
recognise the Republic of Azerbaijan, following its regaining of
independence in 1991. She stressed her resolve to facilitate the
expansion of trade relations, and noted that the UK–Azerbaijani
relationship covers many spheres. Baroness Nicholson propounded
her opinion that it remains a great honour to participate in the
development of more stable UK–Azerbaijani relations in the future.
Given the nature of the UK–Azerbaijani relationship, it was
appropriate that the visit by Baroness Nicholson began three
days earlier in the headquarters of the State Oil Company of the
Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR). This event saw her undertake
dialogue with Bahram Huseynov, Vice-President on Geology
and Geophysics at SOCAR, and Joe Murphy, Vice-President, BP
Azerbaijan. Mr Murphy spoke about the history of co-operation
between the two countries; current and future projects; and
answered questions from local and British companies attending the
event.
During her visit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban
Aliyeva, Azerbaijani First Lady and President, Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, also received Baroness Nicholson.
Politics and News
The UK trade delegation, led by Baroness Nicholson, discuss the future of UK–Azerbaijani
co-operation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
Baroness Nicholson: myriad spheres of UK–Azerbaijani co-operation
Following an invitation by the Nice branch of the renowned
ISEFAC Business School, TEAS France organised a landmark
conference concerning best practice emanating from experience
gained during organisation of the European Grand Prix, which was
hosted in Baku. This was hosted in Baku for the first time on 19
June to wide international acclaim. The keynote speaker was Arif
Rahimov, Executive Director, Baku City Circuit.
The conference was attended by more than 70 people, including
students from the ISEFAC Business School, which has a major
dedicated to marketing and sports events, together with a number
of academic experts from Nice and the surrounding regions.
Brigitte Just, Director, ISEFAC, Nice, introduced the conference,
followed by Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, who
made a short introduction about TEAS’ activities related to sport
and gave a brief overview of the Azerbaijani strategy regarding
sports-related events.
Mrs Gourdin acknowledged: “Sport is a universal language
and an excellent tool to promote a country, whilst providing a
framework for sustainable development. The case of Azerbaijan
is very interesting, having harnessed the European Games in
2015 and the European Grand Prix in 2016 to launch impressive
infrastructural projects and to offer myriad opportunities for young
people, both Azerbaijanis and from overseas, to develop their
skills by participating in the organisational team.”
Mr Rahimov made a very dynamic and comprehensive presentation
on the European Grand Prix. This presentation was supported by
an impressive video showcasing timelapse photography of the
infrastructure constructed for the circuit, as well as another video
illustrating the event itself.
He explained: “Before the Grand Prix, just a small number of fans
knew what to expect from Baku and Azerbaijan. But, by the race
weekend, the city was showcased as a modern, developed country
and as the host of a unique and memorable race. Organisation of
a city race is a great challenge for a promoter, the city authorities
and its residents. However, all issues were overcome and the
event was a resounding success.”
Later in the evening, TEAS also hosted a charity concert at the
prestigious Hotel Westminster, located in front of the celebrated
Promenade des Anglais, benefitting the Lions Club Nice-Arénas,
which focuses on projects for children.
Andrée Roux, President, Lions Club Nice-Arénas, appositely
quoted Melvin Jones, Founder, Lions Club International, who
said: “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for
somebody else.”
Marie-Laetitia Gourdin commented: “How can we express the
terror that gripped all of us at the sight of the horror on the
Promenade des Anglais on 14 July after the terrorist attack. The
strongest condemnations do not suffice to appease the pain that
still affects us all. For more than a year, we have been discussing
with the Lions Club about the organisation of a charity concert to
benefit the work of this association and, after the July tragedy, this
project took on a whole new dimension.”
Azerbaijani jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab then gave a duet
performance with accordionist Enver Sadigov. This was dedicated
to the memory of the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in Nice.
The concert was attended by 120 guests, and raised more than
€2500 (£2100).
F1 Baku City Circuit experience presented in Nice

Politics and News
The families of Dilham Asgarov (56) and
Shahbaz Guliyev (48), taken hostage by
occupying Armenian forces, have expressed
worries about their health. Speaking to
Trend News, Sahib Asgarov, brother of
Dilham Asgarov, explained that their appeal
to the Azerbaijani representation of the
International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) to organise a meeting with their
loved ones, or to set up a video connection
with them, remains unfulfilled.
He expanded: “For two and a half years, we
have solely communicated through letters.
To date, in addition to these, three parcels
have been sent to my brother. One and a
half years ago, the brother of Shahbaz
Guliyev and myself appealed to the ICRC to
organise a meeting when he was reportedly
imprisoned in Shusha. However, they still
cannot resolve this issue. In addition, I
appealed to the Azerbaijani representation
of the ICRC five or six months ago, hoping
to at least organise a video connection with
my brother since his health condition is
unclear from his letters.
“We are constantly concerned about his
state of health. He constantly complains
of pain in his head and back in his letters.
The Azerbaijani representation of the ICRC
stated that the pains are associated with
age and the place in which they are being
held. However, I know that my brother was
injured during the arrest. We noticed that
he was limping during the so-called trial.
Therefore, I want to meet him and find out
his true state of health.”
According to Sahib, Dilham Asgarov gave
detailed information about his health in
his early letters, but made no reference
to this in later correspondence. He also
stressed that the latest letters were written
in Russian, which gave rise to suspicions
regarding their authenticity or whether they
were written under duress. He continued:
“In response to our question, the ICRC said
that one ICRC member did not know the
Azerbaijani language. However, the letters
were previously in Azerbaijani.” His brother
also made reference to the fact that his
Armenian captors had censored some parts
of the letters.
During the early days of incarceration, the
Asgarov family had been sending Dilham
his favourite sweets and other dry food.
Sahib continued: “Initially, we were sending
him warm clothes. But then, both the
ICRC and Dilham himself asked us not to
send warm clothes. We are not allowed to
send him food. They claim that the ICRC
provides him with sufficient food. The ICRC
had submitted a list of foodstuffs that they
provide. This includes coffee, pineapples,
and bananas, but that is unlikely.”
The Azerbaijanis were taken hostage by the
Armenian armed forces in July 2014 whilst
visiting the graves of their loved ones in
the occupied region of Kalbajar. Armenian
forces also killed a third Azerbaijani citizen
named Hasan Hasanov (38).
In December 2015, Dilham and Shahbaz
were illegally placed on trial by the
Armenian occupiers in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Following an expedited ‘judicial process’
they were sentenced to life imprisonment
and 22 years, respectively.
The Azerbaijani State Committee on
Affairs of Refugees and IDPs and State
Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages
and Missing Persons and other agencies
have repeatedly urged international
organisations, including the ICRC, to assist
in the release of the two men.
07
As the second anniversary of the illegal ‘trial’ of Dilham
Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev by the Armenian occupying
authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh looms, concerns have
been expressed regarding their health and welfare
Families of Azerbaijani hostages outline health concerns
BTK railway to connect Azerbaijan to Europe
Speaking to Trend News, Ahmet Arslan,
Turkish Minister of Transport; Maritime
Affairs and Communications revealed
that Turkey expects the first section of
the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway to be
commissioned in early 2017. He went on
to explain that the second section would
reach completion later next year.
Mr Arslan outlined: “The BTK project is
in the last stage of implementation. The
BTK will connect Azerbaijan and Turkey
with a continuous railway. This project
is essential, because it will contribute
towards the development of the economy
and trade of Azerbaijan and Turkey and
other countries in the region. Cargo from
Azerbaijan will be delivered to Europe via
Turkey through this project.”
He continued: “Also, cargo from European
countries will be delivered to the countries
of Central Asia and China through the Baku
International Sea Trade Port, which is
currently under construction. This project
will positively affect the development of the
relationship between our country and the
other nations in the region. Other states,
such as China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan
and Georgia also need this project, as
does Europe.”
The BTK railway is being constructed on
the basis of the Georgian–Azerbaijani–
Turkish intergovernmental agreement,
and its peak capacity has been projected
at 17m tonnes of cargo per year. Initially,
this figure will be 1m passengers and 6.5m
tonnes of cargo.
Caspian Sea status issues under discussion
Writing in the official media, Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister, commented: “Azerbaijan is sure that all issues
regarding the Caspian Sea legal status must be resolved in a spirit of
respect for littoral states’ sovereign rights, towards the development
of a mutually beneficial partnership.” He also outlined the necessity
of strengthening trust between the parties, particularly regarding
issues related to regional stability, security and economic and
research activities in the Caspian basin over determination of the
legal status issues of the sea.
Mr Mammadyarov continued by explaining that confidence-building
measures must also include the provision of equal security conditions
for all Caspian states. He continued: “We are also convinced that
the strengthening of stability in the Caspian Sea should take into
account the interests of all parties, in terms of not inflicting damage
on each other’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The
independence of Caspian states should be respected, and non-
interference in the internal affairs of each other should be ensured.
“We share a common vision for Caspian countries regarding the
current state of the Caspian Sea environment, and are interested
in expanding co-operation regarding the addressing of the
environmental problems in the sea.” He explained that much work
had been undertaken to co-ordinate the provisions of the draft
convention regarding the legal status of the sea, and that the
political decisions and agreements reached during the summit of
the Caspian states’ heads would serve to enhance the efficiency of
future negotiations. Mr Mammadyarov concluded that the priorities
of Caspian states include such issues as the strengthening of
international co-operation and improvement of the investment
situation in the extraction and production of energy resources and
their supply to international markets.

Internationally-acclaimed Azerbaijani pianist Elchin Shirinov
brought his unique approach to jazz to the Pizza Express Jazz
Club in Soho, London as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival
on 18 November, in a concert supported by TEAS. Established
in 1969, this is one of the leading jazz venues in the metropolis,
having hosted a range of international stars from across the
decades and genres, including Bud Freeman, Benny Carter, Lew
Tabackin, John Dankworth, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum. TEAS
has previously supported Shirinov’s concerts at the Festival Jazz
à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris; Sunnyside Festival in Reims;
and at the Spice of Life and Vortex Clubs in London.
Shirinov – who comes from the Azerbaijani folk tradition – belongs
to the new generation of Azerbaijani jazz musicians who combine
elements of postbop jazz with the modes, melodies and microtones
of Azerbaijani folk and classical music. The concert featured two
musicians well-versed in Shirinov’s music – Italian bassist Andrea
Di Biase and British drummer Dave Hamblett.
The first set began with a piece by the father of Azerbaijani
classical music – an aria from the 1910 operetta O Olmasin Bu
Olsun (If not this one, that one) by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, which Shirinov
had reworked into non-standard metrical form. Maintaining
the richly ornamented main theme, the piano then entered into
interplay with drummer Hamblett, giving rise to increasingly more
daring and successively faster improvisations, propelled by the
drumming, before reaching dizzying heights of complexity.
Throughout, Shirinov made space for both Hamblett and Di
Biase to improvise as freely as possible, being perfectly content
to recede into the background as an accompanist or come to
the foreground with his own exciting improvisations whenever
necessary, particularly after Hamblett upped the tempo. His
composition Muse was a thoughtful and delicate eastern-tinged
dance-like melody that provided many opportunities for his own
extemporisations to reach new heights of ingenuity.
Shirinov’s own Waiting, beginning as a languorous and delicate
piece, again demonstrated the strong themes and eastern
harmonies that are a hallmark of Shirinov’s work, the symbiotic
relationship with both western musicians emphasising the infinite
understanding and respect that exists between all trio members.
Maiden Tower is one of Shirinov’s latest compositions, inspired by
the iconic 12th
century tower located in Icheri Sheher (Old City), a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. A nostalgic piece, this was redolent
of Shirinov’s childhood and conjured up the sounds of this area
of the city.
Introducing each song in English, Elchin followed this with
another of his compositions – Chika Chika – a dynamic and
staccato piece, full of repeated figures leading to freeform
passages. This provided the groundwork for Hamblett to apply
his full arsenal of percussion and percussive techniques, ranging
from straightforward on-the-beat drumming through to a dizzying
combination of cymbals, high-hats and bass drums that whipped
the multinational audience into a frenzy.
The second set began with an elegiac (and currently unnamed)
composition, followed by a version of the folksong Gul Achdi,
beginning with a single repeated note on the bass that was picked
up on the piano, giving way to staccato variations on the main
theme. The dancelike melody resulted in a trancelike state for all
audience members, and prompted them to a standing ovation.
I’m a Mother was written by film composer Adil Babirov, and
featured a plaintive melody replete with microtones across a 6/8
rhythm, which gave way to contrapuntal interplay between Di Biase
and Shirinov. This was followed by his version of the Azerbaijani
folk song Durna, which began at a furious drum-led pace and
was full of eastern harmonies, microtones and repeated figures,
urging on Hamblett towards increasingly daring and complex drum
passages. This, in turn, prompted a staccato response by Shirinov
before his pianistic pyrotechnics upped the tempo even further,
reaching a new degree of excitement. Throughout the concert, Di
Biase demonstrated that the legacy of the great lyric bass player
of postbop jazz – Scott LaFaro – remains firmly alive.
The concert concluded with arguably the most famous Azerbaijani
folk song – the enigmatic Sari Gelin – beginning at a stately and
reverential pace, laid down by Hamblett, its sad theme captivating
all audience members. This led to an empathetically reflective
bowed bass passage from Di Biase. The piece culminated with a
richly ornamented variation of the main theme, accompanied by
a bowed bass in its upper register that stunned every member of
the audience into silence.
The response to the concert gave credence to the observation
by renowned US drummer Jeff Ballard (formerly a sidesman with
Chick Corea and Ray Charles): “Passionate. Thoughtful. Always
playing with care, Elchin Shirinov is a musician for us to discover
and enjoy. His original compositions are exciting to listen to. The
band sounds relaxed and in totally sync. Their playing together is
smooth as silk and seemingly effortless. Great stuff!”
Go to www.elchinshirinov.com to experience the innovative work of
Elchin Shirinov and to learn more about his forthcoming debut album.
08 Culture
The extraordinarily inventive and irrefutably ambidextrous pianist/composer Elchin Shirinov brought his mellifluous and unique form of jazz to the world-famous Pizza Express Jazz Club in
the heart of Soho
Azerbaijani spirit headlines at the EFG London Jazz Festival

09Culture
On 21 November, TEAS France, in
collaboration with the Permanent
Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to
UNESCO, presented the book La vie rêvée
d’Yvonne Botto (The Dream Life of Yvonne
Botto), published by TEAS Press, at the
headquarters of UNESCO, in the heart
of Paris. Around 100 guests, including
diplomats, journalists, academics, students
and friends of Azerbaijan, attended the
event.
During his opening speech, H.E Anar
Karimov, Ambassador, Permanent
Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to
UNESCO, explained: “Azerbaijan is one of
the cradles of humanity, and an example
of peaceful coexistence between peoples
of different nationalities and religions.
My country has become synonymous
with acceptance and tolerance, trust and
confidence between people of different
faiths who live alongside each other with
mutual respect. It is in accordance with
this spirit and principles that we have
organised today’s event at the UNESCO
Headquarters, a global organisation that
is at the forefront of promoting peace
and dialogue, mutual understanding and
tolerance, as stated in its Constitution.”
Mr Dendev Badarch, Head, Social
Transformations and Intercultural Dialogue
Division, UNESCO, said: “The story of
Yvonne bridges nations and cultures.
This book will be a source of inspiration,
and restores our faith in goodness and
humanity.”
Mrs Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director,
TEAS France, then took the floor, saying:
“Yvonne Botto illustrates how the personal
history of a human being can be mingled
with the Great History of Humankind.
Yvonne’s life is so extraordinary that it
attracted the attention of the President of
the French Republic, François Hollande,
during his visit to Azerbaijan on 11 May
2014. He declared: “Thank you Mrs Botto
for giving us confidence here in the French
Republic, and this sign of friendship
between our two countries ... You are an
example of the friendship between France
and Azerbaijan.”
Mrs Marcelle Botto, Yvonne’s cousin, was
also present at the event. In a moment full
of emotion, Marcelle shared her memories
about Yvonne – from her extraordinary
story to their letter-based contact during
Soviet times, up until they met in 2011,
due to TEAS who brought Yvonne to Le
Fayet, her childhood village in France. She
commented: “Yvonne’s story is a story of
love before everything. She accepted all
the hardships, initially motivated by love for
her husband, then by love for her children.”
The event was then followed by a book
signing session with the author, Shain
Sinaria, and a mesmerising concert of
ethnojazz by the virtuoso pianist Emil
Afrasiyab, one of leading artists of the
young generation of Azerbaijani jazzmen,
duetting with accordionist Enver Sadigov,
People’s Artist of Azerbaijan.
A French emigrant who went to live in
Azerbaijan after the Second World War,
Yvonne’s romantic story entranced the
French media in 2011. The story began
in the summer of that year, when TEAS
noticed an article on Yvonne Botto
by journalist Sabuhi Mammadli in the
Azerbaijani media. Sabuhi had travelled to
the Imishli region of Southern Azerbaijan,
near the Iranian border, to report on those
people who had lost their homes during
the great floods that ravaged the region,
including that of Yvonne. He discovered
that Yvonne, originally from Haute-Savoie,
left France in 1947 to follow her husband, a
former Soviet soldier of Azerbaijani origin,
and settled with him in the small village of
Murguzalli in the Imishli region. He died
soon after their marriage, but she decided
to remain for the sake of her son.
Yvonne eventually returned to her
homeland after a gap of 64 years, thanks
to TEAS who rallied forces to find members
of her family in France and helped with
her visa and transportation to the country.
In October 2011, at the age of 83 years,
Yvonne was finally able to return to Le
Fayet, and visit the graves of her parents
and brother who passed away without
being able to see her again.
Prior to the event, TEAS had also organised
a guided tour of UNESCO headquarters
for Azerbaijani students. After being
welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Karimov,
they met a representative from the Human
Resources department at UNESCO who
informed them about internships and job
opportunities.
The amazing story of Yvonne Botto in the UNESCO spotlight
Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, recalled
the meeting between Yvonne Botto and French President
Hollande when he visited the country in 2014
Azerbaijani jazz featured in a new TEAS film
A new short film produced by TEAS France has been released,
focusing on the glories of Azerbaijani jazz. Entitled Jazz and
Azerbaijan, it is bylined a passion for rhythm; tradition and
modernity; and open to the world. The film details the history
of Azerbaijani jazz, which dates back over 90 years, almost to
the beginnings of the recorded music. Then Azerbaijani violinist
Sabina Rakcheyeva, Cultural Advisor, TEAS; Marie-Laetitia
Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, and French composer Pierre
Thilloy outline the reasons why this western idiom has achieved
such phenomenal success, the basis of jazz-mugham ethnojazz
and how TEAS is supporting the new generation of Azerbaijani
jazz musicians. Visit http://bit.ly/azerbaijanjazz to see the film.
A fascinated reader explores the new book from TEAS
Press that charts the story of Yvonne Botto – a woman
whose political beliefs and love for her family kept her
away from her homeland for nearly 70 years

Singer-songwriter Miri-Yusif is the foremost exponent of r’n’b
and rap in Azerbaijan. He initially emerged as a hip-hop artist in
1996 as one member of the Dayirman group, which released its
critically-acclaimed debut album Qurd in 2001. This contained a
number of songs dealing with the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh, including the Miri-Yusif composition Ya
Qarabag, Ya Olum (All Karabakh or Death).
Miri-Yusif released his first solo album Avara in 2006, but with his
second album Karma in 2010 began to fuse reggae with r’n’b and
soul. This intoxicating combination topped the Azerbaijani album
chart that year, and since then his unique blend of musical styles
and engaging stage personality have led to sell-out concerts
across Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia. On 24 November, Miri-
Yusif finally came to London for a long-awaited concert at The
Qube Project, organised by Balo Events and Caspian Khazri, and
supported by TEAS. Neil Watson caught up with this influential
megastar of Azerbaijani music to find out more:
What originally stimulated your interest in rap, r’n’b and hip-
hop?
I have the spirit of the rebel and am a patriot, being stimulated to
express the truth through rap music. This prompted me to create
such songs as Ya Qarabag, Ya Olum.
How big was the Azerbaijani hip-hop scene when you began
to sing?
Rap had not achieved any popularity in Azerbaijan by the late
1990s. The development of the Dayirman group was initially an
entrepreneurial project and we really had to work to make it a
commercial reality.
How influential was the Dayirman hip-hop group?
At the time, the influence of the group was enormous. Everyone
knew our songs, and their popularity traversed the generations.
You recorded a song with Dayirman about Justice for Khojaly,
where you collaborated with Toni Blackman, the first Hip-Hop
Ambassador to the US. How was this received?
It was received very positively, and working with Toni was a great
experience for all of us.
Since becoming a solo artist, you have combined hip-hop
with reggae and soul. Why did you decide to do so, and how
was it received?
From the very beginning of my solo career, I have sought to create
a new genre of music, harmonising and combining the culture of
the West and the East.
In 2014, your acting career began in the film Yarim Dunya
(Half the World). What made you want to enter this area?
Many directors had recognised my acting abilities in music videos,
and this led to my participation in Yarim Dunya. However, prior to
this I appeared in the short social-conscience film entitled Mother,
and participated in two films when I lived in the US.
What are the challenges in writing film soundtracks?
All film soundtracks were written before shooting began. It was
amazing how well they fitted the action and were used in the
film to great effect. They suited the scenario and were utilised
throughout the film. The film title was derived from my song
of the same name, which is also featured on the soundtrack.
What are the main subjects of your songs?
My songs all concern love.
Where have you performed, and how do you feel about giving
this concert in London?
To date, I have given solo concerts in Toronto, Moscow, and other
cities around the world, but never in any European countries. I
am aware that my compatriots have waited many years for my
concerts, and I feel very excited about this evening.
Do you see your music incorporating elements of Azerbaijani
mugham or ashiq music in the future?
Mugham is the foundation of all Azerbaijani music. I suppose that
I will return to the source of this wonderful spiritual music and
produce some work in which it will be incorporated.
Do you plan to record in English?
I currently record albums in Russian and Turkish – in addition
to Azerbaijani – as that is a requirement of the market. As the
influence of English is now increasing in Azerbaijan, we are
planning to release some tracks in English.
How do you see your career developing?
At the present time, my main career goal is reach recognition on
an international level. As previously stated, my albums are being
recorded in three languages, and great work is being undertaken
to develop other projects. It is in my nature to continuously
experiment. A new chapter began in Azerbaijan in the 1990s, and
I will keep working to bring more innovations to the Azerbaijani
music scene through my diverse work.
Go to http://bit.ly/agteyyara to see the 2015 Miri-Yusif music video
Ağ Təyyarə (White Aircraft), the title track of his fifth album.
Miri-Yusif – sounds of love and protest
10 Personalities – Miri-Yusif
Azerbaijani r’n’b and rap pioneer Miri-Yusif blends rap, poetry, melody
and Azerbaijani microtones to devastating and inspirational effect

After touring the world for the past three years, the outstanding
exhibition Five Roads Back Home – showcasing the work of
renowned German photographer Philipp Rathmer – finally came
to London on 24 November. Organised by TEAS at the iconic mid-
Victorian Old Truman Brewery, which has been a leading art space
in Brick Lane, London, for over two decades, the images feature
a cross-section of some of the estimated one million Azerbaijani
internally displaced persons (IDPs), the ongoing victims of the
Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. These
impressive and emotionally-charged images focus on their faces
in stark closeup, set against a black backdrop.
Attendees at the private view included eight members of the
Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group, headed by Bob
Blackman MP (Harrow East), who has led visits to many of the IDP
camps spread across the 48 regions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani
and Turkish TV covered the opening, in addition to a special report
on London Live television, which has an estimated daily reach of
230,000 people (BARB figures, November 2016).
Jack Pegoraro, Director, TEAS London, explained: “At the
beginning of the 1990s, Armenia attacked the Azerbaijani region
of Nagorno-Karabakh and went on to occupy this and the seven
surrounding districts. All ethnic Azerbaijanis were either killed in
massacres, such as that in the town of Khojaly, or were forced to
flee their homes and move to camps for IDPs and refugees within
Azerbaijan.

“To this day, none have been able to return to their lands. I have
been travelling to Azerbaijan for seven years, and each time we
visit an IDP camp. Despite the relatively comfortable conditions,
it is heartbreaking to see people totally forgotten by the outside
world. They still harbour hope that such influential countries as
the UK will take up their cause and help them return home. It is
the duty of TEAS to fight for the rights of these people.”
H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK,
commented: “Next February, we will commemorate the 25th
anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, when 613 civilians were
killed in the worst atrocity of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Tonight’s exhibition is successful, as it brings a human dimension.
People only need to look at those faces. All these people were
neighbours in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is currently unfortunately
occupied by Armenian armed forces. They were all driven out of
their homes. Some died, and these are just a few of the survivors
and their children.
“Thank you, Mr Rathmer. A project of this type was missing as this
brings a human element to the victims of the conflict. Azerbaijan
does not want blood or vengeance – it wants to ensure that human
tragedies of this nature never happen again.”
Mr Rathmer explained his methodology: “Nagorno-Karabakh
is one of the world’s forgotten conflicts. The conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan developed into a war in 1992 that killed
thousands of people. Now, 25 years on, the conflict is far from
over. A ceasefire secures a fragile peace. These IDPs suffer the
consequences to this day. In 2012, I visited some of the ordinary
victims of this unresolved conflict in their camps. The people told
me of their fate, their hopes and their fears – some very candidly,
some with a certain reticence.
“These photos show one side of the conflict – the side that had
to flee and give up their homes. They represent all those who are
displaced in the world’s many wars. One aspiration was common
to all – they wanted to take one of the five roads leading back to
the occupied regions – one of the Five Roads Back Home.”
The exhibition ran from 25–29 November, during which an
estimated 300 photography aficionados visited the gallery. Visit
http://bit.ly/frbhtrtworld to see a report by international Turkish
television channel TRT World, introduced by Belle Lupton, which
contains reflections by Philipp Rathmer and Jack Pegoraro and
http://bit.ly/frbhllive for the London Live report.
15Business News
Not frozen, never forgotten – the plight of Azerbaijani internally
displaced persons highlighted by the photographer’s lens
13Personalities – Javid Shahmaliyev 11Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Jack Pegoraro, Head, TEAS UK, (far left) and photographer
Philipp Rathmer explain the significance of the exhibition to
members of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group
(Photos: Gunel Gadirova)
Belle Lupton, reporter for TRT World, views the stunning images

Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of
Winterbourne, has been a life peer since
1997. Ten years before, she was elected
as Conservative MP for Torridge and West
Devon, before transferring to the Liberal
Democrats in 1995. She was also Liberal
Democrat MEP for South-East England
from 1999–2009. Earlier this year, she
rejoined the Conservative Party. Baroness
Nicholson first visited Azerbaijan in 2005
when she was a member of the EU Election
Observation Mission.
Baroness Nicholson was appointed
as Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq earlier
this year, succeeding the Rt. Hon. Charles
Hendry MP. On 12 October she gave a
briefing on UK–Azerbaijani relations in the
House of Lords during an event hosted by
CATBIG and British Expertise. Neil Watson
caught up with her there:
The UK is still the greatest FDI
contributor to Azerbaijan, chiefly
through the operations of BP and related
companies. How would you describe the
current UK–Azerbaijani relationship?
Our relationship stretches back for many
years and has been extremely successful
and satisfactory. Ever since the dissolution
of the Soviet Union, when Azerbaijan
emerged as a sovereign, independent
nation, the UK and Azerbaijan have gone
hand-in-hand, partnership-in-partnership.
The two nations get on extremely well,
not just in terms of trade and industry,
but also socially, academically, and as
friends. Since Azerbaijan regained its
independence in 1991, the two countries
have enjoyed excellent relations.
Much of the solidarity between our two
countries probably emanates from some
of the leading Azerbaijanis having been
educated in the UK and having friends
and connections here. There seems
to be a natural affinity and friendship
between Azerbaijanis and British people,
and the two countries have a very easy
relationship.
The BP-led Southern Energy Corridor,
comprising the South Caucasus
Pipeline (SCP), Trans-Anatolian
Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic
Pipeline (TAP) is set to bring Caspian
gas to Europe by 2020. How do you
think this will impact UK energy prices?
This project is a massive step forward and
very exciting. Global gas prices reflect
supply and demand. Since 2010, the gas
market has been a buyers’ market, due to
the rise in global LNG trade, new sources
of gas coming on stream, and the fact that
the USA is now an exporter of shale gas.
For Europe, and particularly markets in
South-East Europe, the Southern Energy
Corridor represents a new source of
supply and an important contribution to
energy diversity and security.
BP is playing a leading role in the
Southern Energy Corridor, and I am
particularly proud of their contribution. I
have had the opportunity to work with BP
in many other countries, including Iran,
where I collaborated with them for nine
years. BP is an excellent company, and it
is wonderful to see them flourish like this
in Azerbaijan. They have built an excellent
relationship with the State Oil Company
of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR)
and have earned a reputation throughout
Azerbaijan as a stable and trusted partner.
I have seen their work in Southern Iran,
and this has proven the excellent level
of technical and commercial prowess
embodied by the company.
You recently visited Baku to attend
the International Caspian Oil and Gas
Exhibition and Conference in the wake
of the extraordinary decrease in oil
prices. What was the mood at the show?
I was delighted to attend the event, which
took place in June, and very honoured
to represent the British Prime Minister,
who was David Cameron at the time,
delivering a strong, powerful speech on
his behalf. This underpinned our ongoing
commitment towards furthering the UK–
Azerbaijani relationship, which he pledged
to strengthen. I also visited Baku in
November as the Trade Envoy of our new
Prime Minister, Theresa May, with a large
delegation of companies from Scotland
and other parts of the UK. The mood
amongst our companies was optimistic
as, despite low oil prices, the supply chain
is confident that British quality and cost
competitiveness means they are well-
placed to take advantage of the many
opportunities in Azerbaijan.
There have recently been talks between
the Azerbaijani, Iranian and Russian
Presidents. It seems that, with the thaw
in relations with Iran, Azerbaijan may
be set to act as the bridge between
Russia and Iran. What do you feel is
the potential for creation of a gas cartel
between the countries, and what would
be the impact on the UK?
The geographic positioning of Azerbaijan
places in it a strategic location, at the
crossroads between East and West and
North and South. Azerbaijan enjoys a
reputation for tolerance and stability in
the region, and I expect to see trade links
flourish there as Iran re-emerges.
I had the good fortune to work alongside
Azerbaijani MPs during my time as a
member of the Parliamentary Assembly
12 Personalities – Baroness Nicholson
Baroness Nicholson: speaking from experience
Baroness Nicholson discusses the price
of bread with a Bakuvian baker

13Personalities – Baroness Nicholson
of the Council of Europe (PACE) in
Strasbourg for around four years. I have
retained those friendships, and hope to
further develop these in the coming months
and years as a trade envoy. I am in my
current position because I am a politician,
and one of my particular objectives is to
get closer to Azerbaijani Parliamentarians
– and not just those already involved with
UK interests – just as I am becoming closer
to Azerbaijani Ministers over matters of
trade and industry.
Our discussions need to be deeper, including
those working on different elements of
trade, industry and international relations.
I grew to appreciate my Azerbaijani friends
at PACE in Strasbourg, and it is important
that Azerbaijan plays an active role there, as
the organisation has an international voice
that carries some strength. It is important
for Azerbaijan to speak up and become
involved. I am now an Honorary Member of
PACE, but I am looking forward to getting
to know Azerbaijani parliamentarians from
a political perspective. Many delegations
of Azerbaijani MPs often come to the UK.
The devaluation of the Azerbaijani
Manat (AZN) has demonstrated the need
for diversification of the Azerbaijani
economy away from overreliance on
hydrocarbon resources. How is the UK
working with Azerbaijani businesses
and banks to achieve this?
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has
spoken about his focus on diversifying the
economy. There has been an over-inflated
price for oil and gas over many years, and
this has led many nations to become reliant
on these revenues in the long-term. This
is why Azerbaijan is looking increasingly
broadly at the state of industry, and
diversification as a whole. In fact, such
a policy simply makes sense. No country
should be reliant on just one particular
product. Now is the right time and moment
for diversification, even if the fall in the oil
price has been the catalyst.
I know that UK financial and professional
expertise would be welcome in Baku, and
I hosted a delegation from Azerbaijan
to London in October to start exploring
how we might best share our expertise.
Financial and professional services are
crucial in providing support to Azerbaijani
businesses. Here in the UK, we have the
City of London, banks, and the Financial
Conduct Authority. Many of the leaders in
this sector also sit in the House of Lords. I
am keen to help our friends in Azerbaijan
find the right partners so that we, in the
UK, can support the structural reforms in
the financial sector in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, so
there are great opportunities for tourism.
However, development requires attention
to be paid to those areas that surround
tourism, such as obtaining visas and the
infrastructure of the country. A significant
amount of preparation will be necessary
for the tourism industry to fully develop.
Over the last 20 years, the UK’s strategic
approach to the Visit Britain campaign has
been hugely successful, and I am keen to
share what we have learnt in this field.
The late UK–Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was
responsible for the amazing Heydar Aliyev
Centre in Baku. I am of the view that Zaha
Hadid Architects should revisit the country
in October, and make further suggestions
for buildings in Baku and elsewhere.
There are some significant agricultural
programmes, and again there are
commonalities. My first constituency in
Devon contained a great many dairies, I
can see that there are many opportunities
for maximising the milk yields of their
Azerbaijani counterparts. This requires
a high level of investment in technical
facilities, and there is great deal of potential.
In all these industries, it is essential to
bring together the different sides of the
table with specialists from the financial
and professional services sector, as raising
finance for investment remains a great
challenge.
What has been the impact of Brexit on
the UK–Azerbaijani relationship?
I believe it is true to say that our
bilateral relationship can develop at an
unprecedented rate in the wake of the Brexit
referendum. I was recently in Iran, where
I met ministers who were delighted about
Brexit. This provides the groundwork for
our bilateral agreements to develop more
strongly, without the necessity of recourse
to all the remaining 27 EU member states.
I believe the UK–Azerbaijani relationship
can and will become much stronger now.
Brexit materially assists the UK as it frees
it from concerns and worries caused by
involving all EU states in discussions. I
think the UK will have an easier time in the
future as it will now have a clearer voice
in the international arena, and possibly
become more powerful and effective.
Baroness Nicholson exchanges dialogue with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
Baroness Nicholson applauds Azerbaijani achievements in youth and sports alongside Professor Christoph Breuer, Vice-
President, German Sport University Cologne, during dialogue with Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports
Baroness Nicholson enjoys the view from the top of the
Maiden Tower with H.E. Dr Carole Crofts, UK Ambassador
to Azerbaijan
Baroness Nicholson pays her respects to former President
Heydar Aliyev, whose negotiations led to the signing of the
Contract of the Century with a BP-led consortium

14 Personalities – Khadija Zeynalova
The Bakuvian composer Khadija Zeynalova
is renowned for her unique contemporary
classical, film and theatre music. Resident
in Detmold, Germany, she is a lifetime
member of the Azerbaijani Composers’
Union and Azerbaijani Association of
Women in Music. In 2004, she joined the
International Alliance of Women in Music,
and in 2007 joined GEMA, the leading
German Performance Rights Association.
That year, she also won the Hamburger
Klangwerktage Prize for her piece
Sestinen über Vergänglichkeit for soprano
and piano. As her star moves into the
ascendance, Neil Watson caught up with
her in Detmold to find out more:
Did you come from a musical family, and
how was your musical talent initially
discovered?
No, I did not come from a musical family.
However my parents, especially my mother,
really loved music. Although none of my
parents could play, they still purchased a
piano even before giving birth to their first-
born child – myself. I was the first person
to play that piano.
I absolutely loved to dance and sing from
a very early age, and my musical talent did
not go unnoticed. Soon afterwards, I found
myself signed up for piano lessons at a
local music school. It was there, at Music
School No. 3, where my journey to the
musical world really began! I composed
my first piece at the tender age of 11 and
absolutely loved to see my name written
on a score!
What music originally inspired you?
I was inspired by both classical and
traditional Azerbaijani folk music. Our
Azerbaijani musical heritage is extremely
rich, unique and very diverse, comprising
various modes of mugham, folk dances,
songs, and tasnifs (ballads), amongst
other genres.
If you listen to my music, you will hear many
traditional Azerbaijani tunes (including
mugham). I’m not trying to include these
on purpose, but when I compose, these
harmonies and microtones always show
themselves. You can say that our national
music is in my blood, which really makes
my compositional style so unique.
What was the tuition like at the Baku
Academy of Music at this time? Was the
emphasis still on Russian music?
My years at the Baku Academy of Music
were very interesting and I met some of
the most amazing professors and fellow
students during my studies. I completed
my Bachelor’s (1994–98) and Master’s
(1998–2000) degrees there. Of course, the
Russian school of music had a significant
influence on our musical culture. One of
the greatest Azerbaijani composers, Gara
Garayev, was a student of the famous
Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich at
the Moscow Academy of Music. I studied in
the class of Professor Khayyam Mirzezade
who, in turn, studied in the class of Gara
Garayev. There was no particular emphasis
on Russian music, but obviously this was
covered. I am an admirer of some Russian
composers, including Igor Stravinsky,
Dmitri Shostakovich, Pyotr Tchaikovsky
and Alfred Schnittke.
Of what genre were your earliest pieces?
Did they combine the harmonies and
microtones of mugham with classical
music?
My earliest pieces were written in a very
classical, traditional style, and were
mainly works for solo piano. As previously
mentioned, I often use mugham and
traditional music harmonies and microtones
in my music. I really like to merge
these microtones with classical ones,
and combine these with contemporary
compositional techniques. This synthesis
of contemporary and traditional music
often happens subconsciously when I
am composing, and this makes my music
stand out and sound so unique.
What led you to study and work in
Germany?
As a country, Germany has attracted me for
some time. With its rich musical heritage,
famous composers and flourishing artistic
scene, Germany was always an interesting
destination for me since I started playing
my first piano pieces by famous German
composers. When I made a decision to
study abroad, my number one choice
was obvious! I really wanted to know the
German musical culture more closely.
It has now been 11 years since I first
moved to Germany and was accepted in
the composition class of Professor Martin
Christopher Redel at the Detmold Academy
of Music.
I was also a winner of two prestigious
scholarships – one from the DAAD
(German Academic Exchange Service)
and a PhD scholarship from the Friedrich-
Ebert-Foundation. In 2012, I successfully
completed my PhD, for which I wrote
about the Azerbaijani musical culture and
composers of the 20th century, being the
first composer and musicologist to do so
in the German language. I was very proud
when the Peter-Lang Publishing House
in Germany published my doctoral thesis
in 2013. I am currently teaching at the
Detmold Academy of Music myself.
How has your compositional approach
developed?
There are numerous festivals of
contemporary music here in Germany, and I
have participated in several of these. These
include the Donaeschinger New Music
Days, Wittener New Chamber Music Days,
and the International Summer Course in
Darmstadt. I have attended masterclasses
by some prominent composers, such as
Isabel Mundry, Wolfgang Rihm, Manfred
Stahnke, Dieter Mack, Brian Ferneyhough,
Krzystof Meyer, Jörg Widmann, and Klaus
Lang. All of these had a significant impact
on my development as a professional
composer. I learned much from exposing
myself to new compositional techniques
and styles.
Have you ever orchestrated the work
of other composers? If so, what are the
challenges? Do you attempt to emulate
their style?
Yes, I have orchestrated many works by
various composers, including Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn-
Bartholdi, and Sergei Rachmaninov.
When doing so, I have always strived
not to alter their style. However, this very
much depends on the instrumentation
of the orchestra. It is very interesting
to orchestrate a solo piano piece for a
The sound world of Khadija Zeynalova
The range of works composed by this talented composer
is extraordinary
Khadija Zeynalova encapsulates the spirit of modernism,
tradition and classicism in her unique soundscapes

large orchestra (for example, triple-play).
However, I have also orchestrated for
string orchestra, double-play orchestra
and other configurations.
Do you also incorporate elements of
jazz and jazz-mugham into your music?
Yes, I really love jazz, and play it myself,
especially ethnojazz, classic jazz and
jazz-mugham. I have written several
compositions incorporating jazz harmonies
and rhythms. Examples are my solo
piano piece entitled Fantasy and my
Octet To Aziza, which was dedicated to
my mother. Of course, there is also my
latest composition, The Rise of Phoenix.
I particularly like the synthesis of jazz
elements with mugham and contemporary
music.
What are the challenges of writing
incidental music for theatrical plays?
Have you ever written film scores?
I have composed more than a dozen pieces
of theatrical music. As a composer, it is a
very different experience to write incidental
music for theatrical plays, rather than for
orchestra. This is because theatre music
is ‘applied’ music, and it is necessary for a
composer to initially read the poem or play,
then the script, and can only then start
composing. It is necessary to work very
closely with the director.
As for film scores, so far I’ve composed
music for a documentary research film for
the University of Gottingen. It was a four-
minute piece. The director just sent me his
concept, without any video, and I had to take
it from there. I really enjoy writing film and
theatrical music – it is a different challenge
for a composer, but very interesting. I have
not written music for a longer film, although
I would be delighted to have the chance to
compose for a Hollywood movie!
Azerbaijan has a great history of 20th
century composers who combined
elements of mugham with symphonic
music, including Oktay Zulfugarov,
Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov
and Gara Garayev. Did any of these
particularly influence you?
These composers have made great
contributions to the development of
Azerbaijani musical heritage. Naturally,
they had a great impact on my evolution as
composer and musicologist.
As previously mentioned, Gara
Garayev was teacher of my Professor
– Khayyam Mirzezade. This link cannot
be understated and I consider myself to
be a “granddaughter” of such famous
composers. Furthermore, as a musicologist
I have written about Uzeyir Hajibeyli,
Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, and Gara Garayev in
my PhD dissertation. I analysed several of
their works, including the Third Symphony
of Gara Garayev.
What is your view of such avant-garde
composers as Stockhausen, Berio and
Ligeti?
I really love such avant-garde composers.
Whilst attending various festivals in
Germany, I had the chance to meet leading
avant-garde composers like Pierre Boulez,
Mauricio Kagel, Wolfgang Rihm and
György Kurtag.
What is the future of Azerbaijani
classical music?
I believe we have many talented composers
and musicians, and I genuinely hope
that the next generation will continue the
traditions of our famous composers and
create unique compositions, despite any
influences to the contrary. They will be the
contemporary composers of our time.
How do you see your career progressing?
It’s a very interesting question. I see
myself in the future as a Professor of
Composition and Musicology. I also aspire
to be a composer that is not only famous
in Azerbaijan, but in many other countries.
I see myself working with some of the
famous conductors, orchestras, ensembles
and musicians, and attending concerts of
my music in some of the iconic venues
around the world.
You have mentioned your concerts.
Have there been many concerts of your
music outside of Azerbaijan?
Yes, there have been numerous
performances of my award-winning
compositions in Germany, France, the
UK, Cyprus, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy,
Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Oman and many
other countries. My dream is to hear my
works performed across all continents.
Visit www.khadijazeynalova.com to
learn more about the exciting work of
Khadija Zeynalova.
15Personalities – Khadija Zeynalova
Khadija discusses composition and orchestration with Pierre Boulez, conductor and the father of musical serialism
A remarkable composition by Khadija is performed in the open air by the Wiener Classic Orchestra (Photo: Peklar)
Khadija and Ensemble Horizante accept their applause

12 December 2016

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