London

Highlights…
The festival will open with a bold collaboration that sets the tone for whole of season of events, when upcoming jazz star Shahin Novrasli joins acclaimed saxophonist Iain Ballamy (Nov 25, Queen Elizabeth Hall, SE1; Nov 26, 606 Club, SW10).

The country’s visual arts scene is now being recognised as internationally significant – artist Tahir Salakhov’s work was given a major retrospective in Moscow earlier this year and award-winning photographer Rena Effendi recently showed work at the Istanbul Biennial. In a photographic exhibition called ‘Pipedreams’ at the Host Gallery, EC1, Rena Effendi documents the contrasting sides of Azerbaijani life now that it has regained its role as a booming oil territory (Dec 17-Jan 16 2010). There is also a retrospective of the work of Azeri-born Tahir Salakhov at Sotheby’s (Feb 18-25 2010). A twentieth-century Russian master, Salakhov challenged the conventions of the state-approved ‘socialist-realism’ style and brought modernism to the USSR.

In February are there are several special music events including Mugham Night, dedicated to the native music of Azerbaijan (Feb 9 2010) at St-Martin-in-the-Fields WC2 and a evening of music by the Azeri composer Garayev performed by renowned violinist Gidon Kremer accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Feb 28 2010, Cadogan Hall, SW1).

There are many highlights, but the festival will close with a Gala Concert on March 7 2010 at the Royal Festival Hall, SE1. Conductor Ion Marin and violinist Shlomo Mintz will lead the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a collection of pieces that celebrate Azerbaijan’s achievements in the twentieth century.

The Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts is organised by Buta Art Centre (www.buta.ru), a foundation dedicated to promoting Azeri culture to the wider world. Sample the delights here and you’ll be tempted to take a trip and experience the Azeri party first hand.

Click here for your chance to win one of five pairs of free tickets to the opening night of the Buta Festival on Wednesday 25th November at Queen Elizabeth Hall at 7.30pm. The award-winning Azeri pianist and rising star of the jazz world Shahin Novrasli will perform a combination of new pieces as well as jazz fusion drawing from Azerbaijani Mugham melodies. Inspired by Eastern and Western cultures, he is backed by a four-piece band and acclaimed saxophonist Iain Ballamy.