An interview with Leyla Aliyeva was published in the latest issue of Interview Magazine.
In the latest issue of Interview Magazine, founded in the late 1960s in the United States, an interview was published with Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the initiator of the IDEA International Ecology Campaign. The magazine is known for its conversations with stars of the art world—painters, musicians, and thinkers.
The conversation between Leyla Aliyeva and Simon de Pury focused on all characteristic aspects of Azerbaijan’s development in the modern era—art exhibitions, the new wave of architectural boom, as well as ecological movements.
Here is a condensed translation of the interview.
Author: Simon de Pury (Chairman and Chief Auctioneer of Phillips De Pury & Company, participant in BRAVO TV’s “Art Piece” series).
Azerbaijan is a country notable for avant-garde artists, fashion and art, ecological movements, and the next wave of global architecture. This may not conform to Western stereotypes when the name of the former Soviet republic, partly in Eastern Europe and partly in Asia, is mentioned. Yet, it becomes clear from the conversation that the 26-year-old editor, artist, activist, and eldest daughter of President Ilham Aliyev, Leyla Aliyeva, wants her country, including its capital Baku, to compete with New York, Berlin, and Tokyo for the right to be called the cultural epicenter of the world.
Leyla Aliyeva has numerous projects—films, charity events, animal rights campaigns, youth initiatives… This can make it difficult to understand how a mother of two manages to handle so many diverse activities.
Firstly, Aliyeva’s magazine Baku, which she began publishing in Moscow in 2007, has been presented internationally. Through this magazine, she aims to increase readers’ awareness of cultural events in Azerbaijan’s capital and provide a platform for special projects in culture and the arts. Last October, as editor-in-chief of Baku, Leyla Aliyeva initiated the publication of the magazine’s English-language international edition with the Condé Nast publishing house. She plans to hold a presentation in New York soon, coinciding with the April issue reaching American newsstands.
Next, with Aliyeva’s support, a contemporary art exhibition called Flight to Baku is planned—a spectacular, eclectic show featuring works by 21 Azerbaijani sculptors, painters, videographers, and photographers, spanning spaces from the Caspian Sea to Brooklyn. The exhibition, which began in January at the Phillips de Pury gallery in London, is planned to be shown worldwide. If you see some paintings by Leyla Aliyeva herself among the works, do not be surprised. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to pursue personal creative interests while advancing her country’s cultural agenda.
How likely is Azerbaijan to become the next global cultural hub? Leyla Aliyeva is part of a strong campaign by other talented and enterprising young people who, in recent years, have attracted the art world’s attention to various projects in their countries.
Last year, the Azerbaijani duo Ell/Nikki won Eurovision with the song “Running Scared.” This is an excellent result for a country that had started competing in the contest only four years prior. This year, Eurovision will be held in Baku in May. The event will draw attention both to the city and to the artistic atmosphere that Aliyeva has made her mission to promote.
Leyla Aliyeva met with Simon de Pury in London to discuss the current state and future of the projects she has initiated.
SIMON DE PURY: It’s great to see you regarding the opening of the Flight to Baku exhibition. I remember last summer I was in Baku with my wife Mikaela at your invitation. We had never been there before. We stayed only 36 hours and visited several artists’ studios. It was wonderful because there is very little information about contemporary Azerbaijani art. This makes the exhibition all the more important. The curator, Hervé Mikaeloff, is truly far-sighted.
LEYLA ALIYEVA: Indeed, over 100 works by 21 artists will be presented at this exhibition. Some of these artists are taking their first steps in major art, while others are already quite famous. Interestingly, most of these works were created specifically for this exhibition, meaning they are being shown for the first time.
SIMON DE PURY: Do you plan to show this exhibition elsewhere after London?
LEYLA ALIYEVA: Yes, we plan to exhibit it in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Moscow, and hopefully New York. Afterwards, we plan to conclude the exhibition in Baku, most likely bringing it to the Museum of Contemporary Art, opened in 2009.
SIMON DE PURY: Besides being Azerbaijani, what other common features do these artists share?
LEYLA ALIYEVA: Each has a unique style. But because they are all from Azerbaijan, their works are all connected to Baku in some way. Azerbaijan has ancient artistic traditions, so these artists communicate within a rich cultural heritage. If you’ve ever been to Gobustan, you may have seen petroglyphs thousands of years old. Thus, even though Azerbaijan is not yet considered a global art capital, it has a very rich history stretching back millennia.
Azerbaijan is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions, which is reflected in its art. The fusion of East and West is also visible in the works exhibited.
SIMON DE PURY: Are there any works in the exhibition you personally prefer?
LEYLA ALIYEVA: (laughs) I like all of them. But if a work truly captivates me, it happens instantly. In my life, this has happened twice: once when I saw Niyazi Najafov’s work at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Baku, and the second time with a non-Azerbaijani artist, George Condo, at your gallery.
SIMON DE PURY: Would you like to exhibit his works in Baku?
LEYLA ALIYEVA: Yes, I would. These two artists are my favorites among living and working artists.
SIMON DE PURY: This interview will be read by an international audience. Are there things about Azerbaijan that you want them to know?
LEYLA ALİYEVA: Geographically, our country lies on the Caspian Sea, at the intersection of East and West, Asia and Europe, making it very interesting. We are a young country with a tradition of statehood, celebrating 20 years of restored independence last year. Yet, our history is ancient and rich. Many do not know that Azerbaijani women gained the right to vote in 1918, before the UK or the US.
SIMON DE PURY: Switzerland? That was quite a bit later (laughs).
LEYLA ALİYEVA: Indeed. Also, the first secular school for girls opened in 1901, and the first opera and ballet in the East were created here. Azerbaijan was also the first democratic republic in the East.
Being between West and East, Azerbaijan is known for its openness and tolerance. Mosques, synagogues, and churches coexist here. We have never had problems with mutual relations. Respect for other cultures is instilled from birth. I believe these aspects are reflected in today’s artworks.
SIMON DE PURY: I noticed you are also an artist yourself. That was a surprise. Hervé Mikaeloff told me that he decided to include your works in the exhibition after seeing them.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I have been painting since I can remember. I studied art in school and took private lessons, but never received formal training. Painting is a lifelong learning process. The more you paint, the more you understand how to do it better. Often, I cannot stop once I start, sometimes unable to sleep until I finish a work. I created four pieces specifically for this exhibition. I don’t compare myself to professional artists but have worked with all my strength.
SIMON DE PURY: I saw one of your works in the exhibition; it fascinated me—a still life depicting a widely popular fruit in Azerbaijan.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: It’s a pomegranate. Since the exhibition is called Flight to Baku, I wanted a piece associated with Baku. The pomegranate is very famous and delicious, impossible to find so tasty elsewhere. That’s why I chose it.
SIMON DE PURY: Being an artist yourself must help in appreciating others’ works.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I believe so. Knowing the effort that went into creating a piece helps you understand how hard it is to sell it. One does not want to part with the product of one’s labor.
SIMON DE PURY: Many in the museum and art world, including myself, began as artists. I think art teaches a person to see the world.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I can spend hours in art galleries and museums. At the Tate or National Gallery, I could look at one painting for hours.
SIMON DE PURY: I hear you also write poetry?
LEYLA ALİYEVA: Yes, I write poems, but I am not a poet. I have been writing for myself since childhood. You haven’t read my poems, right?
SIMON DE PURY: I haven’t, but I hear you love music.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I enjoy listening to various genres. Azerbaijan has always valued music; our mugham is folk music with deep philosophy, tradition, and history.
Also, we won Eurovision, which was a great victory for us. We will host the next competition in May, which I look forward to.
Baku’s architecture reflects its rich history and inner spirit. I want to note the new architectural wave, including several five-star hotels, such as the region’s first Four Seasons. Zaha Hadid’s cultural center, though still under construction, is already considered a masterpiece. This year is very exciting for us.
SIMON DE PURY: Various art forms—visual arts, architecture, music, literature, fashion—come together in Baku magazine. All artificial boundaries between disciplines disappear, and your magazine reflects this spirit.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: We started publishing this magazine in Moscow four years ago. Creating it was my dream, and it has been very successful. It covers culture, music, art, history, and people—not only famous figures but ordinary people with interesting life stories. Many liked it, so I decided to create an English-language version.
We publish it with Condé Nast, who immediately understood the idea. Though called Baku, it’s not just about Baku. Honestly, each issue is like a piece of art. We introduce various artists, show their talent, and familiarize readers with their work. In one issue, we invited Mr. Breynuosha to prepare a special illustration. For another, we invited graffiti artist Rich Simmons to Baku; he created very interesting works there.
SIMON DE PURY: This is a very interesting take on contemporary culture. I can say for sure—it doesn’t resemble a tourist brochure for Azerbaijan.
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I want the magazine to be interesting even for those who have never been to Baku and know little about it.
SIMON DE PURY: It probably makes people want to visit Baku. How do you achieve that with so many different projects?
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I travel frequently, mainly between Baku, Moscow, and London, and to other cities. I have two children and try to spend most of my time with them, so I get tired sometimes. But the satisfaction from work I love compensates. Seeing the exhibition today made me feel the effort was worth it and made me want to do more. It gives immense happiness and energy.
SIMON DE PURY: How old are your children?
LEYLA ALİYEVA: My twins just turned three.
SIMON DE PURY: What is your biggest wish? Many of your dreams have already come true. But is there anything you hope to achieve in the next five years?
LEYLA ALİYEVA: We have many projects and ideas. We initiated an international environmental dialogue campaign called IDEA. The main goal is environmental protection in Azerbaijan’s regions and educating youth, including children. To make the project interesting, we approach environmental issues creatively. For example, in May, we plan an event about the “Big Five”—species in the Caucasus on the verge of extinction: leopard, eagle, bear, wolf, and gazelle. This idea arose after the elephant parade in London. We plan to invite artists worldwide to depict the “Big Five” as they see them, raising awareness about endangered species.
Another project relates to the Maiden Tower in Baku’s Old City. During restoration, we discovered 200 nests of long-winged birds. We created special nests for these birds, which migrate to South Africa in summer, so they wouldn’t lose their homes. We invited artists to turn these nests into architectural equivalents. This project combines environmental protection and art.
Additionally, we are working on the famous novel Ali and Nino, planning a film adaptation. Cinema is new for me, and if successful, it will be a major step for Azerbaijan. The novel itself is fascinating as it depicts Azerbaijan as a meeting point of cultures, religions, and traditions.
So when you ask about my wishes for the next five years, I cannot really answer briefly.
SIMON DE PURY: We often say: “If you want something done well, give it to someone who will exceed expectations.”
LEYLA ALİYEVA: I believe that whatever a person does, they should approach it wholeheartedly and believe they will succeed.
