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BAKU ( AZERBAIJAN )

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ECONOMY OF AZERBAIJAN

After restoration of independence in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan began to realize its sovereign rights in economic field and to implement independent policy. The main directions of this policy are organization of the economic system based on different types of property, transition to market economy and integration into the global economy.

Economically, the years after the independence can be divided into two main periods. The period of 1991-1995 was characterized by economic chaos and regression. The period after 1996 is known for an increase in macroeconomic stability and dynamic economic development.

As the result of far-sighted policy and intensive activities of the President of Azerbaijan, the national leader Heydar Aliyev, significant results were achieved in the fields of socio-economic development and integration into the global economic system within a short period of time – in spite of unfavorable initial conditions. The great achievement was that the Azerbaijani model of the state system establishment and development was established over the past period.

One of the main tasks of the country’s leadership in that period was efficient use and reallocation of the benefits from rich oil and gas endowment. In order to solve this task, in 1999 the national leader Heydar Aliyev adopted the Decree promoting cooperation with international companies in this field. Additionally, in order to channel the revenues from oil exports to the priority sectors of the economy and important social and economic projects, the State Oil Fund was established. At the current moment, international organizations evaluate positively Oil Fund’s activity and its provision of transparency.

In the beginning of economic recovery, the country lacked oil exporting infrastructure. In order to fill this gap, in 1996 Azerbaijan signed an agreement allowed its oil exports via Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline. In 1999 the new pipeline Baku-Supsa was put into use; additionally, an agreement on construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, which is currently the major oil exporting pipeline.

Oil-gas sector played dominant role in developing other sectors of economy. Considered economic policy led to macroeconomic stability and sustainable economic growth, as the result, reforms started in all economic fields, new measures are taken in order to improve social welfare of population.

Developing entrepreneurship, attracting domestic and foreign investment by establishing favorable business and investment environment, obtaining non-oil sectors’ development had been specific feature of implementing economic policy at this stage. As the result of fulfilling expedient measures, entrepreneurship section was formed and the role of private sector in social-economic development increased considerably.

Implemented measures in providing diverse forms of property contributed positive effects to sustainable economic growth. However, despite at the beginning of privatization specific weight of private sector in GDP was less than 10%, currently special weight reached to 85%. Thus, implementing of Heydar Aliyev strategy overcame recession that appeared during the first years of independence and from 1995 in Azerbaijan new stage of development- recovery and dynamic development stage began. In 1995-2003 Gross Domestic Product increased 90.1%, revenues of government budget more than 3 times, international reserves 85 times, industrial production 25.2%, agricultural production 53.9%, foreign trade 4 times, average monthly real wages 5.6 times, inflation decreased to 2-3% and total capital investment amounted more than 20 billion USD.

After maintaining independence as the major priorities of foreign economic policy, the Republic of Azerbaijan formed relationship with international finance-credit and economic institutions.

Azerbaijan had been admitted nearly to of all international institutions, including in 1992 IMF, World Bank, EBRD, Islam Development Bank, in 1999 Asian Development Bank. The main directions and specifications of social-economic policy strategy, which is continued successfully and improved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, is to transit to market economy and to form social, diversified national economy, which possesses ability of self-development and to integrate to world economy.

As the result of implementation of this policy, obtained successes are strengthened, macroeconomic stability was secured, diversification of the economy, development of non-oil sectors and regions accelerated, efficient usage of strategic international reserves was secured, the stability of national currency and confidence of banking system increased, conservative external debt strategy implemented, support from government to entrepreneurship intensified, social welfare of population improved sustainably.

In order to implement comprehensive and sustainable measures aimed at economic diversification, the following President’s decrees and edicts were adopted and successfully implementing: the State Program of Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of Azerbaijan (2009-2013), the State Program of Poverty Reduction and Economic Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2008-2015).

In order to use existing economic potential of regions completely and efficiently, improve social-economic situation and provide of equilibrium development of the economy, state program that are implemented successfully describe attention of the President to economic development of regions, it caused complex development of regions, of which recovery and expanding infrastructures, creating new producing and processing enterprises, social-cultural institutions, opening new workplaces and improving social-welfare of population.

The new stage aims at increasing the competitiveness of the national economy, efficient integration into the world economic systems and ensuring a long-term dynamic socio-economic development in the country. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has identified the tasks which are important for the achievement of this goal in his economic policy decrees. These particularly concern the strengthening and efficient utilization of the economic potential of Azerbaijan, including development of non-oil sector (formation of oil-independent national economy in Azerbaijan), entire and efficient utilization of the potential of each and every region in Azerbaijan, the establishment of favorable conditions for the opening of numerous workplaces, private business development, increasing the scope, quality and target groups of social services, the reduction of poverty, etc.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev successfully and confidently continued and made it rapid and sustainable progress, development strategy determined and led to bright future of the citizens by national leader Heydar Aliyev, and made it rapid and sustainable progress.

Despite recession occurred in major developed economies during global financial-economic crisis, Azerbaijan preserved macroeconomic stability, economic growth, reduction of poverty, and increasing social and economic welfare of population. At the same time, taking the first place in economic growth among regional countries, Azerbaijan took upper stages for so-called indicator. However, in 2009 economic growth of GDP grew by 9.3% and growth per capita grew by 7.9% compared with 2008. Total GDP was formed by 64.1% by production sector and 28.3% by service sector; these sectors’ growth was respectively 10 and 9.1%.

Growth in oil-gas sector was 14.3%, moreover, in non-oil sector went up by 3.2%, industry – 12.8%, transportation – 9.3%, communications – 13.1%, trade – 9.9%.

Government feels specific priority to agriculture and as the result of comprehensive measures, value added in agriculture grew by 3.5% in comparison with 2008.

Finally, during 2004-2009 GDP in real value increased for 2.8 times, GDP in current prices amounted to 43 billion USD. GDP per capita rose from 2004 to 2009 more than 2.2 times and amounted 4874.1 USD. During this period real income of households increased 2.0 times, income per capita 85%, average monthly wages 3 times, minimum pension 3.8 times, minimum wages more than 6.3 times.

During 2004-2009 foreign trade increased 2.8 times, of which export 3.9 times, import 1.7 times, non-oil export 2.4 times. In 2009 both revenues and expenditures of government budget rose 7 times compared to 2004, during this period 32886 new enterprises were established, 840 thousands new jobs were created.

As the result of comprehensive measures, poverty was reduced for 4.1 times, as from 44.7% to 11% for the last 5 years.

The success of Azerbaijan was reflected in the reports of international organizations. Moreover, Azerbaijan is ranked 51 in the Global Competitiveness Report for 2009-2010, which is above other CIS countries. Furthermore, even in the current economic situation Standard&Poor’s increased the Azerbaijani rating’s forecast from “stable” to “positive”.

Dominant tasks of next stage will be sustaining of macroeconomic stability and economic growth. Within these purposes, provision of qualifying economic growth is priority. Aiming to these tasks, expanding of diversification of the economy, government wants to minimize dependence from oil sector, to transit to innovative economy, promote intensive production in agriculture, developing of economy in clusters. Moreover, comprehensive measure will go on in order to strength energy, food and ecological security.

Improving business environment, establishing economic areas and industrial zones, advice and information providing, strengthening government support to entrepreneurship and developing business relationship, development of entrepreneurship and regions will accelerate.

Increase of social and economic welfare of population remains the main direction and priority of social-economic policy for the coming years.

CUISINE OF AZERBAIJAN

The cuisine of Azerbaijan is one of the ancient, rich and delicious cuisines in the world. "The cuisine of Azerbaijan" is not only dishes, the technology of their preparation, but a part of material culture as well. The cuisine of Azerbaijan is the harmonic unity of culture, history, philosophy, table psychology, traditions, physiology, hygiene, chemistry, equipment, ethics, aesthetics, poetry and poetic aspects of the cuisine, as well as practical habits created by Azerbaijani people in the territories where they lived in harmony with the environment.

The cuisine of Azerbaijan "born" with the genius of Azerbaijan people in the territories of its historical habitation: today's Azerbaijan Republic, Southern (Irani) Azerbaijan, former khanate of Iravan that turned into today's Armenia after forced ethnical clarification, the lands of Zangezur and Goycha mahals(districts), ancient settlements of Azerbaijanis in Georgia-Borchali, Dagestan, Derbend-the capital of one of the former khanates of Azerbaijan and there surroundings.

The main factor influencing formation of and development of the cuisine is the climate. The territory of Azerbaijan Republic is under the influence of 8 climate zones that causes variety and richness of flora and fauna of the region and form favourable conditions for life and development of all animals and plants. This is the main factor of rich cuisine.

Agricultural production is important for further development of the society alongside with wild animals, birds, fish and plants. Thus people should have high culture of cultivation and animal-breeding.

For example, complex dishes made of paste and grain might appear in the case only if agricultural production dominated the requirement to bread or its substitute. Experimenting and formation of compound dishes was possible only if there was some need to preserve the remains of grain for a long period of time. The process continued for ages and thus appeared new dishes. The existence of "cheten"(archaic form of colander) proves that dish -making from grain and paste, dates to the 5th-6th century B.C. and stable crop in its turn points to high quality cultivation.

Great amount of grain production points to the culture of cultivation, irrigation systems development of animal-breeding etc.

All the abovementioned is not possible without sedentary life.

Goods necessary for the South Caucasus cuisine were produced by Azerbaijanis-people of high culture of cultivation and animal-breeding. Georgian scientist M.I. Tkeshelov wrote about Azerbaijanis lived in former Iravan khanate in 1888: "People in the villages were mainly busy in grain growing, cultivation and gardening. It is evident that animal-breeding is not the only kind of engagement in plains and summer pastures. Azerbaijanis may be called cultivating people as they mainly live on the banks of the rivers, while Armenians settled only in the mountains."

E.K.Artamanov wrote about Iran in 1889: "grain is mainly distributed from Azerbaijan, Khorasan, Kirmanshah, Fars, Isfahan, and Yezd."

G.V.Sologubov wrote in 1952: "Armenians were generally busy with trade and gathering of wealth. Azerbaijanis, depeding to the place of their settlement, mainly interested in cultivation and animal-breeding and thus are main producers in Transcaucasia."

I.V.Segalov wrote in 1902: "Moslems lived on the banks of Bazarchay, Ayrichay, Bargushad, Okhuchay and their flows as well as on the bank of Araz; Armenian lived in separately under hard climate in the mountains. Majority of Armenian men (15-40 ages) moved to the shores of the Caspian, Baku and Tbilisi to earn their life, where they worked as servants and interested in outdoor life. As to Azerbaijanis, they lived cultivating in plains and under good conditions."

All the abovementioned was the result of natural process. Local people settled in and used productive lands before other nations appeared. This fact is proved by Armenian scientist G.A.Yezov in 1908: "New land did not accept Armenians cordially, for it had very few free lands."

Information gave by the voyagers, scientists, merchants, diplomats and others, as well as archaeological digs prove that great amount of grain, rice, kunjut, soy plants, beet, melon, water-melon, grape, apple, pomegranate, quince and other garden and melon plants cultivated on those lands.

Local people and population of neighbouring and foreign countries supplied with the abovementioned products, as well as fresh drained fish, hard-roe, honey, butter and animal products. It is true that the Caucasus had for centuries been provided with animal and cultivation products by Azerbaijanis. Y.D.Angabadze and N.G. Volkova wrote basing on information given in book "Old Tiflis": "Osetins and Azerbaijanis brought cheese to the markets of Tiflis and sell it there with Borchalis (Azerbaijanis-T.A.). There was great demand in Tiflis market for salmon brought from the lake Goycha (after the surrounding of the lake added to the territories of Armenia the lake is now called "Sevan"-T.A.) in Azerbaijan."

Thus Azerbaijanis were the main people in Thanscaucasia able to create and develop rich cuisine who possessed enough good base for it.

This fact caused that majority dish names of Armenian, Georgian, Persian and other cuisines relate to Azerbaijan Turks.

The second factor influencing the cuisine is fire. For instance, majority of sweet buns, and dishes cooked in water and stewed dishes of Slavonic and particularly of Russian cuisine as appeared thanks to Russian stove. Creation and development of Azerbaijan cuisine related with different varieties of high heat open and closed fires such as tendir(clay oven with a whole), kora, bukhari(fire-place), kulfa(brick oven for baking), chala ojag (hollow fire), saj(iron disk for baking bread), mangal (brazier) and others.

Crockery and kitchen equipment also had some king of effect on our cuisine. Even today our women use different crockery made of animal skin, stone, wood, clay, glass, metal, etc.

Electricity, together with firewood, firewood coal, tezek(manure briquette) and others were used as fuel in Azerbaijan cuisine. In places where tezek is used, people rare cut the trees and the bushes for fire; people sued tezek did not suffer from liver and respiratory tract diseases. According to Indian scientists the smoke of tezek has antiseptic character.

Another factor characterising culture of culinary of the people is its attitude to water, its purity and ability of water use. From ancient times Azerbaijan people divided water into white and black. Black water is rich with salts, ions and metals. Water poor in the abovementioned is called soft.

Soft white water used in preparation of food and beverage foods. Weeping willow always grew on the banks of the rivers, irrigation ditches and canals. Roots, branches and other parts of this tree have antibacterial peculiarity and thus it purified water. For this purpose branches of weeping willow were always put into plates full with water. Sometimes silver thing or apricot pip put into the boxes filled with water.

The first and the best natural method of clarification of water applied by Azerbaijanis still exist today. That is water stone. Water stone is made of black or white chick-weed and looks like a drilled pyramid. The stone is placed on special wood rest with its tip down and a plate is placed under it in where purified water gathered. The stone is filled with water, sometimes silver thing or a branch of willow put into it. Water passes through capillary holes of the stone and drop by drop falls into the plate. Water is not only purified by stone but is cooled thanks to difference of pressure in the holes of the stone and passing through capillaries.

It should be pointed out that the oldest 3700 year age samovar found in Azerbaijan (in the territory of Sheki). It is much older than the 2000 year old samovar of the Egypt. This is an important point on culinary: from outside the fire passes into the inside of the equipment, water-air balance changes, separation of the volume of nutritive materials in water changes and thus correspondingly changes the taste of water.

Another important factor influencing the cuisine is historical-geographical location of the people and relations with neighbouring people.

Ancient trade caravans and military roads crossed the territory of Azerbaijan had some affect on our cuisine. Reference to common Turkic ethnos caused appearance of dishes with the same name or root and still Azerbaijan cuisine may be called the peak of that of common Turkic. From the point of the taste Azerbaijan is more close to Anadolu cuisine.

Long time relations with Arabians presented coffee to our cuisine and the historical "Silk Way" brought us tea. From Russian cuisine we took "shi" and "red-beet soup" (known among people under the general name of "red-beet soup") and got acquainted with cuisine of the Europe faultily changed by Russians. Thanks to the development of oil industry at late 19th and early 20th centuries we are directly introduced with the cuisine of the Europe (the process is still on) that influenced only the cuisine of the restaurants and got people used to aluminium equipment. Such kind of interference had only negative influence on the health of the people and brought nothing positive into national cuisine.

Religion and faith of the people also have definite influence on the national cuisine of Azerbaijan. Zardushtism (Zoroastrism), fire-worship, Avesta found their reflection in philosophical psychology and the mind of Azerbaijan people and its cuisine. We suppose that respect to the fire that is the main assistant of cooker comes from the abovementioned fact. Table traditions and dishes formed under the influence of fire and light still exist. For long time Christianity existed and still exists in the territory of Azerbaijan that also affects our cuisine. The people of Azerbaijan are Moslems for more than a millennium. Rejection to use gold crockery and pork, alcohol and other informs about strong influence of Islamic traditions. Different holidays, ceremonies and fasting also influence cuisine.

Kitchen traditions, prohibitions and advices relating to the religion are the objects of particular investigation. The requirements of religion, especially that of Islam about the food have serious scientific base. For instance, Islam does not advice to eat fruits and grain their without peel. The fact that main part of the vitamins and microelements diluted in water gather in peels of the plants only recently invented.

CULTURE OF AZERBAIJAN

One of the world's most ancient nations - the nation of Azerbaijan - has the right to feel proud for its history, material and cultural monuments, literature, arts and music heritage.

Wonderful nature, climate, natural resources of the country produced a significant impact on artistic thinking and creation skills of Azerbaijani people as well. In spite of a long and difficult way undergone by different types of arts in Azerbaijan, they still represent a unity and provide outstanding opportunities for the creation of a full idea of fine arts of Azerbaijan. The folk arts of Azerbaijan are multi-colored, complete and rich, as its natural resources. The folk art is connected with daily life of people and daily life occupies a very special life in the fine arts as well. Folk arks cover a long period from ancient times to nowadays and including a variety of products from garments to housing goods and decoration.

Quite obviously, the style of life, aesthetic tastes, the national image and qualities, are strongly reflected in folk arts. One can easily come across numerous wonderful models of Azerbaijani folk arts in the world's largest museums. The pieces of arts created by the skillful hands of Tabriz, Nakhichevan, Gandja, Gazakh, Guba, Naku, Shaki, Shamakhi and Nagorny Kharabakh can be found in large museum collections of Victoria and Albert of London, Louvers of Paris, Metropoliten of Vashington and Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, Tehran, Cairo museums.

The history of folk arts in Azerbaijan has a long and interesting history. Works of art made from metal extracted from Nakhichevan, Migachevir, Gadanay, Gandja and other places are approximately 5000 years old. Crockery, weapons and adornments found here are not historical facts alone, but valuable sources which testify the skills of the master.

Material and cultural models, found during archeological excavations in the territory of Azerbaijan, testify that our ancestors made crockery, daggers, axes, belts and adornments of bronze and used them in daily life. This proves the ancient age of such types of activity as copper-smithy and gold smithy.

There are those with portrayals, showing traditions, religious ideas and even garments of people of that epoch among art patterns made from metal. History, of ethnographical and artistic features of folk art are reflected on the garments. These features are reflected both on garments of certain form and its adornments and fine needle-work, knitting.

Bronze needles and awls from the beginning of the bronze epoch (III millennium B.C ) were found during archeological excavations in Azerbaijan as well. These findings prove that the ancient population of Azerbaijan could sue clothes for themselves. Little clay statues founded from Kultapa and Mingachevir (III millennium B.C) and seals of the V century B.C found in Mingachevir provided opportunities to have a certain idea of garments of that time. Clothing remnants sued from different silk materials are found in Mingachevir catacombs of V-VI centuries B.C. Number of adornments ( III-IV century B.C), made of gold, and clay crock of foot-gear form are well-grounded evidences, proving old high material culture of Azerbaijanis.

Different pictures, scraped on housing implements made from copper, bronze, gold and adornments, prove existence of fine art in Azerbaijan since ancient times.

Horse-cloth with flowers on clay figure of horse (II millennium B.C.), found in Maku in South Azerbaijan, golden basin with picture of line (I millennium B.C), found in Hasanli hill near the Urmiya lake, and other findings show the ancient history of carpet-making, one of the branches of folk art in Azerbaijan.

Remains of palaz (a kind of carpet without pile) and carpet of I and III centuries discovered during archeological dig in Mingachevir.

According to archeological dig and written sources Azerbaijan people has been occupying with carpet-making since bronze epoch ( late II millennium - early I millennium). Heorodot, Klavdi Elian, Ksenofont and other world historians wrote about carpet-making development in Azerbaijan.

Carpets, weaved by separate carpet-making schools of Azerbaijan (Guba, Baku, Shirvan, Gandja, Gazakh, Nagorny Karabakh, Tabriz) in different periods, amaze people till nowadays. Most of them kept in well-known museums of the world.

Gobustan rock pictures, pictures, belonged to the early of bronze epoch (III millennium B.C) in Aychingilli and Parichingil mountains near the Zalkha lake in Kalbacar region, rock pictures in the Gamigaya mountains in the north of Ordubad town have exception importance among the most old patterns of fine art. Pictures about ancient people's mode of life, welfare, labour, carved in the Gobustan rockeries, represent special interest. Different subjects, scenes on hunting, cattle breeding, planting and other branches of household, human and animal pictures were carved in dynamic way. The Gobustan rock pictures - pictograms cover multi-centuries old history from primitive communal order to feudalism.

Azerbaijan was rich of architectural pieces one of branches of folk art along with works of fine art since ancient times. Maiden tower and Shirvanshahs palace in Baku, Momina Xatun and Yusif ibn Kuseyr mausoleums, created by architect Acami in Nakhichevan, Natavan's home, pictures on walls of Shaki khan palace and other patterns are rare pearls of architecture.

Picture of people, dancing Yalli, represents special interest among the Gobustan rock pictures. This picture testify Azerbaijan people's interest in music since ancient times.

Motherland of Azerbaijan people possessed rich musical and cultural heritage is famous as Land of flames.

Azerbaijan music, enriching world musical culture with its rare pearls, has multi-centuries old traditions. Creators of folk music, handed over these traditions to generations, have great role in development of Azerbaijan music.

Folk songs, dances, ashug creation (folk poet and singer) have specific place in Azerbaijan national music.

Mugams are foundation of Azerbaijan national music. It is not accidental that UNESCO, specialized organization of UN, entered Azerbaijan mugam into the list of world cultural heritage.

Our national music has been developing along with literature since ancient times. For instance, mugam developed along with with Eastern poesy. Thus, singers, performed mugam, recited ghazals (a kind of poem) by Azerbaijan well-known poets as Nizami, Khagani, Fuzuli, Nasimi. Poetic forms of national poesy like Garayli, divani, tadjnis along with goshma, mukhammas, ustadnama, gafilband are ashugs' favor forms.

Works of art, created by classics and contemporaries, take honorable place in world cultural treasure. Works by M.F.Akhundov, N.Vazirov, M.S.Ordubadi, G.Zakir, M.A.Sabir, J.Mammadguluzade, M.P.Vagif, M.V.Vidadi and other poets and writers hasn't lost their aesthetic importance.

One of the art kinds, related with Azerbaijan literature, is theatre. The roots of Azerbaijan theatre art related with people's activity, mode of life, solemn and wedding traditions, range of vision. Elements of spectacle in rites, ceremonies and games took important role in popular theatre. It was realistic and related with working categories. Repertoire of popular theatre consisted of short spectacles of ethic content. Popular theatre played important part in establishment of Azerbaijan professional theatre.

Roots of theatre art, dated to old times, started with spectacles "Vizier of Lankaran khanate" and "Hadji Gara" by M.F.Akhundov, staged in Baku in March and April 1973.

Repertoire of Azerbaijan theatre, passed difficult way of development, has neen enriched now. Different spectacles, amazing spectators, are staged in Academic National Dramatic Theatre, Municipal Theatre, Pantomime Theatre, Theatre of Young Spectators and etc.

Cinematography, one of the most interesting and popular art kind of our time, penetrate into people's life and become integral part of it. National cinematography opens bottoms of human heart and new live horizons. It gained great experience year-by-year and created number of different works, reflecting our people's life and problems. These films were kept for future generations and became people's spiritual knowledge.

Azerbaijan fine art is old and rich as history of our people. Research of theatre, cinema, music and folk art, passed long and difficult way of development, proves high cultural heritage of Azerbaijan people. Culture and fine art workers of Azerbaijan always make efforts to spread our culture to world and has achieved it partly. Entering of Azerbaijan mugam into world cultural heritage by UNESCO, rewarding of well-known film master R.Ibrahimbayov, screenwriter and producer by "Oscar" and keeping of manual works and carpets, made by popular masters in famous museums of the world are obvious proves.