AGP Executive Report

Cultural Showcase: Azerbaijan’s pavilion at the CIS festival in Turkmenbashi featured national cuisine alongside carpet weaving, kelaghayi, copperwork and ceramics, with young mugham singers performing. Opera: Puccini’s Turandot is set for a major Baku premiere starring People’s Artist Yusif Eyvazov. Film: A movie about female deminers in Garabagh won an award at a European festival, while feature film 44 is due for nationwide cinema release on October 15. Visual Arts: Khatai Arts Center is preparing an exhibition of plein-air works. Documentary: The 10th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival has opened in Baku.

Culture on Display: Azerbaijan’s pavilion at the CIS National Culinary Festival in Turkmenbashi paired regional food and tea traditions with carpet weaving, kelaghayi, ceramics and mugham performances. Baku Art Weekend: Chinese artist Zhang Ji will present paintings inspired by religious architecture at the Heydar Aliyev Center from October 30 to November 1; the festival will also feature interactive projects linking people, nature and memory. Opera: Puccini’s Turandot, starring People’s Artist Yusif Eyvazov, is set for a major Baku premiere. Film: Baku’s 10th DokuBaku documentary festival has opened, while feature film 44 is scheduled for nationwide release on October 15.

Opera: Baku’s State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater will stage a new production of Puccini’s Turandot on October 24, 25 and 27, led by People’s Artist Yusif Eyvazov, who will sing Prince Calaf on opening night. Visual Arts: Khatai Arts Center is set to host a plein-air exhibition, while “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend” brings performances and interactive projects exploring connections between people, nature and memory. Film: The 10th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival has opened, and feature film 44 is scheduled for nationwide release on October 15. Baku will also host the CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival. Live Music: The Fidan Hajiyeva International Opera Festival has brought classical vocal performances to Ganja.

Film: A film about female deminers in Garabagh has won an award at a European festival. Visual Arts: Khatai Arts Center will host an exhibition of plein-air works. Documentary Cinema: Baku’s 10th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival has opened. Live Arts: “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend” brings performances and interactive projects exploring connections between people, nature and memory. Heritage: A special exhibition in Vienna marks the 120th anniversary of carpet artist Latif Karimov, while Azerbaijani culture was showcased at a festival in Vietnam. Sport: Baku has welcomed the World Judo Championships, drawing athletes from around the world.

Judo in Baku: World Championships momentum continues as Takeshi Takeoka talks about chasing LA28 qualification and medals, while Nadia Comăneci sends a message urging athletes to compete with pride and respect. Injury update: Two-time Olympic medallist Sarah-Léonie Cysique was taken to hospital after landing on her head in a semifinal bout in the 57kg category. Youth sport spotlight: The road to Dakar 2026 is underway, with the Youth Olympic Games athlete selection list published and judo set for 1–3 November in Senegal. Arts & culture: Khatai Arts Center will host an October 10 plein air exhibition featuring studies from about 200 artists, and ADA University launched a new academic year of its “One Teacher’s Manifesto” professional development program in Gazakh. Media freedom: Azerbaijan’s Media and Broadcasting Council rejects foreign reports linking the country to a German BND investigation, calling them disinformation and a smear campaign. Entertainment tech: Blizzard defended World of Warcraft: Forever’s new dual-faction Skyborne elf race, saying it helps manage long-term population balance. Cinema business: CineMastercard and Sea Breeze signed to open the first multiplex at Sea Breeze’s Venetian Harbour complex.

Fly to Baku Art Weekend: Baku will host “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW” from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, with immersive performances and interactive projects linking people, nature, memory and inclusion, plus a documentary (“The Hammer”) and a kids’ environmental program (“The Wild Five”). World Judo Championships in Baku: The event continues to draw international attention, including coverage of French Olympic medallist Sarah-Léonie Cysique being taken to hospital after a head landing in a semifinal bout. Cultural diplomacy & heritage: Azerbaijan’s urban-planning and architecture spotlighted abroad, including a World Heritage Cities Festival roundtable in Mexico and a Sofia photo exhibition on Azerbaijani and Bulgarian architectural heritage. Film spotlight: The feature film “44” releases nationwide in Azerbaijan on Oct. 15, with teaser “Həkim oğlu” shared ahead of the premiere. Inclusive social creativity: A Turkish delegation visited Azerbaijan’s DOST Agency and DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity, highlighting services and creative workshops for vulnerable groups. Sports & entertainment crossover: CineMastercard and Sea Breeze signed to open the first CineMastercard multiplex at Sea Breeze’s Venetian Harbour complex, bringing new moviegoing tech to the seaside development.

World Judo Championships in Baku: The tournament opened at the National Gymnastics Arena with a ceremony blending judo’s values and Azerbaijan’s sporting ambitions, as Azerbaijan Judo Federation chief Rashad Nabiyev praised the role of President Ilham Aliyev and the International Judo Federation in bringing major events to Baku. Azerbaijani carpet heritage abroad: Latif Karimov’s 120th anniversary was marked in Vienna with a special exhibition by “Azerkhalcha” OJSC, spotlighting narrative and portrait carpets and Karimov’s research that shaped how Azerbaijani carpet art is classified. Culture on the move in Vietnam: Azerbaijan’s ashug music and cultural presence featured at Hanoi’s “Cultures of the World” festival, where Azerbaijani performers helped frame heritage as a bridge for international audiences. Sports diplomacy and awards: World Aquatics presented Azerbaijan with an Environmental Award during the World Cup opening in Baku, while the World Habitat Day message underscored “Adequate Housing for All” as a global arts-and-community theme. Arts & entertainment beyond sport: Film and music headlines also surfaced this week, including a new “Avengers: Doomsday” poster tease and international festival programming.

World Judo Championships in Baku: President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony at the National Gymnastics Arena, with Azerbaijan highlighting its sports hub status as the tournament runs through Oct. 11 and features 622 judokas from 93 countries. Azerbaijan on the global cultural stage: Azerbaijan’s ashug music was showcased at Vietnam’s “Cultures of the World” festival in Hanoi, while an Azerbaijani music group performed at South Korea’s “ACC X” event in Gwangju. Documentary film spotlight: The 10th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival opens in Baku under the theme “Stellar Civilization,” with free screenings supported by ARKA and the Nizami Cinema Center. Theatre exchange in Shaki: The 5th Shaki International Theatre Festival continues, bringing productions from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran. Sports diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s NOC vice-president met Belarus’s Olympic committee delegation to discuss deeper sports cooperation. International sport achievement: Azerbaijani-linked judo and karate coverage also surfaced this week, including a karate silver medal at an international series event. Regional arts-and-society note: A debate around Azerbaijan’s post-war strategy and ideological security also drew attention in the wider coverage.

Miniature Books in Baku: Zarifa Salakhova’s decades-long passion has turned into the Museum of Miniature Books in Icherisheher, now holding about 8,000 tiny publications from 76 countries. Book-to-Film Festivals: Azerbaijan will host the 6th Booktrailer International Film Festival, with “Volume II” featuring around 50 submissions and new categories like experimental and vertical film; meanwhile, Baku will also stage the CINEMO 4th International Mobile Film Festival, which received 125 entries. Literary Exchange: At Azerbaijan University of Languages, Pakistan’s embassy and the university’s language center presented Azerbaijani-Urdu translation launches, including “Mənzilə doğru” and “Sehrbazlar dərsi,” plus a cultural photo exhibition and screening. Cinema Release: Feature film “44” is set for nationwide Azerbaijani cinema screenings starting October 15. Sports & Culture Spotlight: Baku continues to host major judo action at the World Championships, while the Shahmaran rock-style premiere at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre brings a Turkic legend to the stage. Energy Cooperation: SOCAR Downstream was selected as project management consultant for Congo’s CORAF refinery modernization, deepening Azerbaijan–Congo ties.

F1 & Azerbaijan in the spotlight: The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia turned into a tech-and-weather fiasco, with cars stalling during a wet formation lap and Lewis Hamilton forced into a full reset after his Ferrari “turned off,” while Max Verstappen still won a chaotic, twice-delayed race; George Russell’s title hopes took another hit with a late retirement blamed on a suspected power-unit failure, and fans slammed the “rental karting” spectacle. Judo in Baku: Ahmad Yusifov became Azerbaijan’s new home hero at the Baku World Championships, winning gold in the -60 kg final, while the opening day delivered a packed-arena buzz and more medal drama across categories. Azerbaijan sports focus: Azerbaijan head coach Aykhan Abbasov warned Lithuania will be physically ready and stressed the need to move past a prior disappointment as the UEFA Nations League phase approaches. Culture on stage: Azerbaijan’s Musical Theatre premiered the rock-style “Shahmaran,” retelling the Turkic legend with Omar Khayyam-inspired lyrics. Public life debate: A hijab dispute at a Sumqayit public school sparked debate after uniform amendments were applied in a way that parents say targeted headscarves. Regional transport politics: Georgia’s PM Irakli Kobakhidze said the TRIPP route would complement the Middle Corridor, not compete with it, as freight demand grows. Diplomacy & media: President Ilham Aliyev shared remarks from the 8th Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party, stressing “no place for emotions in politics.” Armenia border claims: Armenia denied social-media reports of territorial/position transfers near Berdavan, calling them fabrications.

Formula 1 (Bahrain GP in Malaysia): Heavy rain and track conditions at Sepang delayed the Bahrain Grand Prix start, while Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari suffered a software issue that forced a full reset on the grid, adding to the weekend’s chaos as Max Verstappen claimed pole and set up a front-row Hamilton showdown. F1 Title Talk (Mercedes): Toto Wolff said Mercedes will let “the best man win” in the Antonelli–Russell title race, with Martin Brundle suggesting the team’s instincts may differ. World Aquatics (Baku Swimming World Cup): Baku delivered record moments: Yu Yiting set a new Asian mark in the women’s 200m IM (2:02.80), Pieter Coetze took an African record in the men’s 100m back (49.11), and Roos Vanotterdijk set a Belgian record in the women’s 100m fly (55.29). Judo (Baku World Championships): The IJF held the draw ahead of the tournament in Baku, with attention on Azerbaijan’s Balabay Aghayev and other medal contenders. Culture & Memory: Azerbaijan marked People’s Writer Ilyas Afandiyev’s 30th death anniversary with visits to his grave, highlighting his role in expressing national identity and the Garabagh theme.

Aquatics in Baku: The first stop of the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup Silk Road Tour wrapped up, with prize-money totals and series standings now in focus after record-breaking performances across the pool. Records & medals: Yu Yiting set a new Asian record in the women’s 200m individual medley (2:02.80), while Pieter Coetze claimed an African record in the men’s 100m backstroke (49.11) and Roos Vanotterdijk set a Belgian record in the women’s 100m butterfly (55.29). More Azerbaijan highlights: Egor Kornev won the men’s 50m butterfly with a lifetime best (21.64), and Ching Hwee Gan added another Singapore national record in the women’s 800m freestyle (8:15.73). Judo spotlight: The IJF held the draw ahead of the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, with preparations underway for the opening contests. Arts & culture: A memorial event marked People’s Writer Ilyas Afandiyev’s 30th death anniversary at the Alley of Honor, and a solo exhibition in Ankara celebrated Azerbaijan’s kelaghayi traditions through contemporary painting. Upcoming festival: Baku’s Olive Festival is set for October 23–25 at Baku Boulevard.

Sports Diplomacy: President Ilham Aliyev met International Judo Federation chief Ladislau-Marius Vizer, thanking him for support of judo in Azerbaijan and for hosting the World Judo Championships in Baku, with both sides highlighting the country’s growing sports infrastructure. Basketball League: Ganja opens the Azerbaijan Basketball League against Ordu in Baku at the Baku Sports Palace, with other early-round results already shaping the season’s first standings. Swimming in Baku: The World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Baku delivered standout performances, including Egor Kornev equaling the 100m freestyle world record (44.84) and Chen Juner setting a new Chinese 200m butterfly record (1:49.37). The Arts & Culture: Azerbaijan and Moldova’s national drama theaters signed a cooperation memorandum, aiming to deepen creative ties and stage exchanges. Film & Education: Tuition for Azerbaijani filmmaker Afaq Yusifli’s master’s at the University of Melbourne has been fully covered by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency. Regional Security: Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case after serviceman Nasimi Musayev’s disappearance and detention in Armenia; Armenia’s NSS says only one person crossed the border, while Armenian officials and student protesters demand legal accountability in Armenia.

Human Rights Advocacy: Imprisoned Azerbaijani activists and political prisoners renewed calls for stronger international support, urging global bodies to focus on the full pattern of alleged politically motivated persecution, not just individual cases. Border Clarification: Azerbaijan’s NSS said only one serviceman (N. Musaev) illegally crossed into Armenia and is in custody by court order, rejecting claims of multiple entrants. Armenian Heritage & Cultural Protection: Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan appealed to Interpol over Dadivank khachkars and frescoes, while Azerbaijan’s heritage service says related items were entered into Interpol’s stolen works database. Tourism Push: Azerbaijan Tourism Board promoted the country in Austria at the AVIAREPS roadshow, highlighting Baku, Shaki, Silk Road routes, and year-round outdoor options, with Vienna–Baku flights and e-visa guidance. Film & Education Support: Tuition for Azerbaijani filmmaker Afaq Yusifli at the University of Melbourne was fully paid by the Culture Ministry and Cinema Agency. Sports & Culture in Motion: Ski Center Baku opened as a year-round indoor training hub; Baku also hosted World Aquatics Swimming World Cup action, including Egor Kornev’s 100m freestyle world-record-equal swim and Chen Juner’s new Chinese 200m butterfly record. Arts Spotlight: Oxford’s Wolfson College Painting Competition 2026 crowned Azerbaijani artist Aysha Nagiyeva, while Baku’s Shabran-2026 art symposium wrapped with a final exhibition.

Cinema & Co-Productions: Azerbaijan’s Cinema Agency approved funding for five international co-production projects under its first Joint Film Production Support Competition, backing titles including “Parallax,” “Captain,” “Fake Lover,” and “Aloha Prestige,” with “The Art of Lying” receiving higher support; applications for the next Q4 2026 round are open via ARKA’s site and the “MyCulture” account. Fashion & Heritage: Azerbaijan put its carpet motifs and decorative arts on display at Paris Fashion Week through “Fashion Culture Day in Paris,” linking embassy-led cultural diplomacy with contemporary design. Theatre & Literature: A theatrical concert, “The Musical World of Bulgakov,” staged musical interpretations of characters and scenes from “The Master and Margarita” and other works at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. Folk Scholarship: An Azerbaijani scholar presented research on the epic hero’s journey in “Koblandy Batyr” at an international conference in Kazakhstan, focusing on how heroism is formed through training, captivity, and return. Media Diplomacy (CICA): Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan joined Azerbaijan’s CICA Media Forum in Baku, stressing media literacy, ethical reporting, and trust-building in a polarized, AI-accelerated information environment. Sports (F1, Sepang): Max Verstappen topped opening practice for the rescheduled Bahrain GP at Sepang, with Mercedes’ George Russell close behind as the race returns to Malaysia after nine years. Public Health: A Kyurdamir wedding at the “Gunes” restaurant triggered mass poisoning symptoms for 92 people; the restaurant was suspended during the investigation.

CICA Media Forum in Baku: Delegates toured the Heydar Aliyev Center as Azerbaijan hosted discussions on “Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World,” with bilateral talks also focusing on media literacy and fighting disinformation. Aquatic Sports: World Aquatics President Hussein Al-Musallam met PM Ali Asadov in Baku ahead of the new “Silk Road” World Cup format, with the first stop running Oct. 1-3. Swimming Highlights (Baku World Cup): Cameron McEvoy won the men’s 50 free with a lifetime best and Oceanian record, while Yu Yiting set a new Chinese and Asian record in the women’s 100 IM for bronze. F1 & Azerbaijan Links: After a chaotic Azerbaijan GP, Lando Norris publicly apologized to Franco Colapinto amid online abuse; Colapinto faces a grid penalty in Malaysia. Azerbaijan Airlines: The carrier took delivery of another Airbus A321neo, expanding its modern fleet and onboard entertainment. Security Update: Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office opened a case over a missing serviceman in the Lachin direction; he was reported detained in Armenia.