Reza Deghati is a popular photographer carrying unpopular humanitarian values that seriously conflict with fashionable consumer ideology.
When young photographers ask their teachers how to become a "second Reza", they are answering a question with a question: "Are you as ready as Reza to look into the eyes of death, to survive in extreme conditions, see the pain and suffering of not dozens, but hundreds and thousands of people?"
Reza Deghati has photographed the covers of National Geographic, GEO, Time Photo. Being an architect by education, he was engaged in photography for 40 years.
In 1987 the photojournalist visited Azerbaijan for the first time, and fell in love with it and in ten years travelled all over the country and captured everyday life in photographs of the customs and traditions of ordinary people.
The first Parisian photo exhibition of Deghati’s works dedicated to Azerbaijan was held by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation a little less than a year ago. Then, in addition to photographs, two books were presented, they are The Charm of Fire and The Massacre of the Innocents. The exhibition organized at the Paris Museum and the Petit Palais exhibition complex was visited by artists from France and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Today, Parisians await Deghati’s next exhibition ‘Azerbaijan is a Country of Tolerance,’ which opened in the City Hall of the First Arrondissement. It has been in the center of French public attention, of Parisian art lovers, as well as influential media structures for a few days already, but today the first lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, has arrived at the exhibition, as she did a year ago.
The exhibition features photos of Reza Dehgati taken by him over the years. These works introduce viewers to the way of life, customs and traditions of the representatives of the various nations and religions living in Azerbaijan, sing of the respectful and deferential attitude of various religious communities in Azerbaijan. In the photos you can see the nature of Azerbaijan, ancient customs and traditions, the daily lives of ordinary people. These works reflect the historical sites, a way of life in the different regions of Azerbaijan, as well as the present of our country, which has an ancient history.
The mayor of the First Arrondissement of Paris, Jean-François Légaré, said that the photographs of Reza Deghati always engage art lovers, and this exhibition is devoted to the very important subject of tolerance. Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov expressed hope that the event will serve to strengthen relations between Paris and Baku.
Visitors to the exhibition agreed that the photographs of Reza Deghati reflect the atmosphere of tolerance and inter-religious peace in Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of civilizations. Deghati himself expressed gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva for attending the event and said: "In today's complex world, there is a land where representatives of various religions and peoples are living in goodwill. It is Azerbaijan."
On the same day, the Azerbaijani Town was officially opened at Place Palais-Royal. Speaking at the opening, Mehriban Aliyeva noted that residents of Paris and tourists can get detailed information about the country in the Azerbaijani Town. Noting the importance that Baku places on the bilateral relations with Paris, she stressed that in recent years the relationship began to take on the character of a strategic partnership.
The Azerbaijani Town presents the history, culture, folklore, traditions and customs and national cuisine of the country. There's also an exhibition of samples of carpet weaving art, pottery, national costumes and musical instruments. The kiosks exhibit traditional sweets, drinks and dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine. Azerbaijani music played by tar player Shahriyar Imanov in the style of ethno-jazz is played.
The Azerbaijani Town was organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the first time at Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris last year.
