On March 3rd 2016 in London, in the famous Hume Room of the House of Lords of the British Parliament named in honor of the former British Prime Minister Alexander Douglas-Hume, the co-chairwoman of the Anglo-Azerbaijan Society, the head of the Nizami Ganjavi Research Center of Oxford University from the Azerbaijani side, the rector of the branch of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University in Baku, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, and the co-chairman of the Anglo-Azerbaijan Society from the British side, Lord Herman, jointly organized a ‘round table’.
The event was held with the participation of well-known personalities – members of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, eminent academics and journalists who play a significant role in the cultural, social and political life of the country, such as Mrs. Bettany Hughes, Lord Green, Baroness Andrews, Baroness O'Cathain, the co-director of the Nizami Ganjavi Center created two years ago at the Institute of Oriental Studies at Oxford University, a scientist-orientalist, the leading professor of the Institute Robert Hoyland.
Bettany Hughes is a recognized expert, an expert in ancient and modern history, a radio and television presenter popular in the world, whose recent documentary films about Buddha, Confucius and Socrates on BBC 2 became widely known. She is the author of two books on ancient Greece, which received critical acclaim.
Her book, "Helen of Troy: Goddess, Queen, Whore" was translated into 10 languages. Her second work, "The Cup of Hemlock: Socrates, Athens and the Search for a Good Life" became a book of the week on BBC Radio 4, it entered the list of best-selling books by The New York Times and it was recognized as book of the year by several publications.
She was awarded the Writers Guild Award. Hughes wrote scripts for serials, documentaries on Ancient and Modern History at the National Geographic channel, the BBC, the Discovery Channel, PBS, the History Channel and Channel 4. Her work on television has been praised. In 2009 Hughes was awarded the Naomi Sargeant Special Award for excellence in broadcasting of educational programs, and in 2010 she received a special award of the Greek Department of Culture for her contribution to the study of Greek culture and heritage. In 2012 for her services in this area she was awarded the Norton Medlicott Prize by the Historians Association.
Bettany Hughes has long been a patron of education and the charity İris Project, which promotes the teaching of the Latin and Greek languages in state schools. She is also an advisor to the Organisation of Science, Technology and Civilization, which contributes to the creation of joint projects between the East and the West.
Baroness Andrews is a member of the Labour Party and a life peer. She is the chairwoman of the state commission ‘English Heritage’, the first female leader of this society.
In 2000 she received the title of a life peer of Baroness Andrews of Sautovera, County of East Sussex. She has been a CBE since 1998.
Lord Stephen Green worked for McKinsey & Co Inc. (consulting and management company) in Europe, North America, was an executive director of the HSBC Holdings plc. In 2010 he received the title of a life peer, Baron of Herstpirpointa Green, West Sussex County. On November 22nd 2010 he became a member of the House of Lords.
Baroness Detta O'Kahoyn has been a director of many companies. Since 1993 she has been an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In 1991 she received the title of a life peer Baroness O'Kahoyn of the Barbican. Since then, she has been a member of the House of Lords. She has worked on many committees in the House of Lords, including the Constitutional Committee and the Committee of Economic Relations. She is currently a member of the EU Committee, a chairman of the Subcommittee on the Domestic Market, Infrastructure and Employment. In 2014 she was elected as the President of the House of Lords Committee on European Union Affairs.
In 2010 President Ilham Aliyev awarded her the Order of ‘Friendship’ of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Each of the above-mentioned participants participated with great interest in discussions at the ‘round table’, asking their questions on various issues related to the role of Azerbaijan as a historical crossroad of cultures between East and West, as well as the country through which the ancient Silk Way passed.
Opening the meeting, Lord Herman sincerely welcomed the guests and informed the participants about the purpose of such meetings, which are supposed to be carried out continuously in the future. After Lord Herman announced the theme of the ‘round table’, he gave the floor to the co-chairwoman of the Society, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva. Before starting her speech, she thanked all the participants for joining the ‘round table’. Noting the enormous global significance of humanitarian relations, Professor Pashaeva noted that, of course, these connections are inviolable and immutable. ‘’Economic and political ties can be adjusted, or may break. But human relations, the relationship between civil societies as a solid foundation is always reliable and popular. For nearly ten years I have been a co-chair of the Anglo-Azerbaijan Society. Over the years I have gained a lot. We are not talking about the organization where we are working, and which was designed as a non-governmental organization in 1997. I mean the English society in the broadest sense of the word. I'm very glad that I could learn about a society with glorious traditions and culture from the inside. I am sure that exchange of knowledge is very important today. People seeking knowledge take with them spiritual values. "
Expressing hope that the next meeting will enable to carry out deep and detailed discussions related to Azerbaijan, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva said: "I, as a philologist, examine the 20-year period since the beginning of the twentieth century, and I can say that the 1905-1920s became the years of a Renaissance in the history of Azerbaijan and a lifting period of the high-quality renovation, and this time is inscribed in golden letters in the history of Azerbaijan. If there had not been those historical events and the values created at that time, the existence of modern Azerbaijan in the form as we see it now would be doubtful.The basics of today's modern cultural, artistic and aesthetic, progressive, scientific, intellectual, human and spiritual values were laid at that time, during that period. The first Republic in the Muslim East, the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR), was formed. Unfortunately, it lasted for only 23 months. However, these 23 months became the national heroic essence of our history. The Azerbaijani National Parliament was elected on a multi-party basis. Women were given equal rights with men, including the right to vote, and the right of freedom of expression was declared. All the citizens have the right to live in equality, printing free from censorship was set up. More than 60 magazines and newspapers began to be published, they laid the foundations of a critical, realistic and democratic literature, an Oriental literature with new literary genres and forms was created. We started to develop the press and the satirical genre of cartoons. The first opera in the East was written, which was staged in 1908. Women were freed from veils, they were able to go on stage as actresses, a women's gymnasium school was established. Theatrical art entered a period of fruitful development, reforms in the political, military, legal and economic fields were started. Important laws were adopted, the first secular university was established, the conservatory was opened. The buildings began to be built in the European style of architecture in Baku.
A cultured elite with democratic views came to power in Azerbaijan. They were people who had received a profound academic education of high spiritual values. The great patriot and statesman Mamed Emin Rasulzade and his advanced environment, as the creators of the first democratic republic in the East, preached high ideals. These were ideas of independence and freedom, democracy and equality. One of the advantages of this republic became the European way of development. In many cases these ideas yielded positive results. Thus democratic and innovative ideas became rooted in Northern Azerbaijan.
Currently we are trying to preserve the ideas and traditions, the foundations of which were laid down at the time. Historians know very well that those things that the Bolsheviks could not do in 70 years, the young republic achieved within 23 months. It was able to realize in real life and show everyone an actual striving for justice, freedom, patriotism and a desire to be together in a single family of civilized nations. These values were true, real and unforgettable, so, in spite of the false Soviet ideology during 70 years, they have not been forgotten, they lived in the memories of people. At the same time, the national anthem was created, the flag of the republic was established. I would like to emphasize that the country's tricolor flag was raised on December 29th 1918. The raising of the tricolor flag was a great merit of the then British Governor in Azerbaijan, General Thomson. When he was governor of Baku, people felt more relaxed. It is on the basis of his instructions that the tricolor national flag rose over the building of the Parliament until the fall of the ADR. This flag is our national flag for the moment.’’
Then the presenter of the 'round table' Lord Herman gave the floor to the head of the Nizami Ganjavi Research Center at the University of Oxford, which is one of the high status scientific and academic organizations on the integrated study of Azerbaijan in the UK from the British side, the Professor of the Oriental Studies Department at Oxford University Robert Hoyland. Professor Hoyland told the audience about the historical development of the Silk Road and the role of the Caucasus region, including Azerbaijan. He mentioned as one of the most interesting facts that two routes of the Silk Road were historically used in the South Caucasus. These were routes through Russian and Georgian mountain passes, as well as the more convenient and easy ways along the shores of the Caspian Sea, and via Derbent through the territory of Azerbaijan. Speaking of ancient Caucasian Albania, Professor Hoyland with the help of various sources told the audience about the monuments of that period that exist now.
Participants of the 'round table' who actively participated in subsequent discussions noted the importance of the study of the historical facts and finding similarities between nationalities and announcing these materials to the public. It was pointed out that Azerbaijan has a unique experience with many features, traditions, customs, values of different civilizations and nations that deserves attention and study.
Participants in the discussion expressed a deep sense of satisfaction and expressed gratitude to the representatives of the two largest universities, Professor N. Pashaeva and Professor R. Hoylandu, the heads of the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Center at Oxford University, who devoted their lives to the university, education, students and science. On their behalf, representatives of science,l and education, who preserve and transfer knowledge to others, expressed their gratitude and appreciation. The participants in the event expressed praise for the many interesting and unknown the facts about Azerbaijan, as well as for the creation of the warm atmosphere at the "round table" and the interesting discussion of various historical events with well-known experts. They expressed their gratitude to the organizers and all the participants.
During the event Professor Pashaeva demonstrated some editions of the satirical magazine Molla Nasreddin released in 1906, and a book that contained information about the kinds of architectural materials about Baku in the early 20th century in confirmation of these words.
An interesting debate took place at the meeting in which the excavations in Barda were discussed. As had been noted earlier, the Bardinskaya archaeological expedition consisted of scientists and experts of Oxford University. The head of this group was a doctor of the Institute of Oriental Studies at Oxford University, Researcher at Brasenose College P. Wordsworth. These archaeological researches promise new discoveries in the study of historical and cultural heritage not only in Azerbaijan, but also the entire Caucasus region. In the near future the composition of the Barda archaeological expedition plans to present a scientific report and a public presentation of the results of the research in the city of Barda at Oxford University and then at the Baku branch of Moscow State University.
It should be noted that for the first time the British organization Heritage Without Borders was involved in the Barda archaeological expedition headed by Dr. Wordsworth at the joint initiative of the Nizami Ganjavi Center heads Professor Robert Hoyland and Professor Nargiz Pashayeva in order to protect cultural heritage. The organization unites leading experts on the protection of cultural heritage of humanity in various regions of the world, organizes the defense and protection of archeological work to material and cultural standards, and ensures their preservation for future generations. For this purpose the head of the organization and a member of the Board of Trustees of Heritage Without Borders, the archeology specialist Dr. Dominic Darkangelo paid a visit to Baku in the framework of the Barda archaeological expedition on September 15-20th of last year at the invitation of Professor Pashayeva.
It was noted that the translation into English of the book 'The Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami' by the famous orientalist E. Bertelsa, which was planned by the Nizami Ganjavi Research Center, has been completed. The translation of this book is a significant event in the scientific and cultural life of Azerbaijan. Presentations in Baku and London are expected in the near future.
Thus, the translation will provide recognized, unshakable scientific truth to readers outside of Azerbaijan. It will be read by international scientific communities. We hope that it will put an end to undesirable and negative trends of amateur translations of the classics and non-academic publications of Azerbaijani literature and scientific works of our academics.
During a meeting in London in November last year with seven members of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, Honorary Doctor at the University of Glamorgan, the president of the Royal Music and Theatre College of Wales, Lord Rowe-Beddoe, invited Professor Nargiz Pashayeva to visit the famous Royal College in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, to familiarize herself with its work. Professor Pashayeva thanked Lord Rowe-Beddoe for the invitation and promised to visit Wales in the near future.
Professor Pashayeva visited the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on March 4th-5th 2016, where she held a meeting with the head of the educational institution, a recognized expert in the field of music and art Hilary Boulding, musical director Dr John Cranmer, Louise Jones who is responsible for international relations, as well as students and teachers of the college, where they got acquainted with the activities of the educational institution. Professor Pashayeva met with college students and attended music lessons. She presented books and CDs dedicated to the performing arts and musical culture of Azerbaijan to the library of the institution. During the meeting the guest was informed about the activities and the history of the institution.They exchanged views about the possible training of Azerbaijani students at the Cardiff Academy. The possibility of a performance by students of the college on the stage of the ÜNS Theater in Baku was also discussed.
It should be noted that the college was founded in 1949 as the College of Music in Cardiff Castle. It then transferred to a purpose-built building in Bute Park, not far from Cardiff University. Later the name of the college was changed to the Welsh College of Music and Drama. The "Royal" designation was received in 2002. The College became the 5th Conservatoire to receive this title. In 2013 the Guardian newspaper included the college on the list of the five best conservatoires in the UK. There are the following specialties in the college: "Acting", "Stage Management" (on technical equipment of the stage), "Musical Theatre", "Theatre Design", "Artistic Director".
In addition to musical education, students can study dramatics in parallel at the college. Students study musical disciplines and master secrets of the theatrical art.
There is big competition for places at this musical institute. Young people from all parts of the world go there to test their knowledge. The commission takes just 50 out of 1500 applicants. Graduates of this college are undoubtedly gifted and welcome people and they soon receive work.
Actor Anthony Hopkins is among those who allocated funds for the construction and modernization of the administrative and academic buildings. His name is tied with a recording studio and a modern studio for rehearsals. There is also the Dora Stoutzker concert in the college, as well as the Raymond Edward Hall building and the Richard Burton Theatre.
College was the first and is now one of the two All-Steinway Conservatoires in the UK, together with the Leeds College of Music.
At the end of her visit, Professor Pashayeva visited a concert of jazz music performed by students of the educational institution. Every Friday the college students organize similar concerts for music lovers.
