The Seven Beauties

The exhibition, dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the outstanding Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Nizami Ganjavi, presents different types of art, uniting several historical eras with the images of his immortal poetry. Nizami's poetry has inspired the work of many masters for centuries.
One of the remarkable works, which has become a classic since the premiere, is the ballet "Seven Beauties" by the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Kara Karayev. The ballet was staged based on one of the poems of the famous “Quinary” (Khamsa or Panj Ganj, “Five Treasures”). It was first shown on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater in 1956.
On the basis of these two sources - literary and musical-choreographic - a special environment has been created in the exposition for the demonstration of valuable exhibits.
The concept of the project assumes the unity of perception of visual and sound images. This creates the effect of the viewer's personal participation in the action unfolding in front of him. This effect is achieved by video installations depicting luxurious old manuscripts decorated with miniatures.
The miniature characters come to life, inviting you to enter their enchanted world. Walking through this revived medieval book, among the luxurious decoration of the palace premises, the viewer finds himself in the space of a ballet: he is surrounded by dancing ballerinas, like mirages arising from the vast expanses of the Universe.

The exhibition is held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.