Mugham: Singing and Improvisation
How modal rules, the tar, the kamancha and a drum produce a new performance every time.
Read the articleIndependent culture guide
The Culture of Azerbaijan: Music, Carpets, Poetry and Festivals
Azerbaijan's culture still gets little attention in much of the English-speaking world. The country lies on the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus, and its capital, Baku, packs old and new into a small space. Caspian Compass is an independent guide to the traditions, arts and customs of Azerbaijan, written for curious readers everywhere. It has no connection to any institution, embassy or event organizer.
Five Topics, Five Ways In
The guide offers five articles. The first explains mugham, the second turns to carpets and weaving, and the third to the ashiqs. The fourth introduces the poet Nizami, and the fifth the spring festival of Novruz. Each article stands on its own and needs no background knowledge. In this culture, music, poetry, craft and festivals are closely intertwined, and each text sheds light on a different side of that interplay.
Carpets and Weaving
Flatweave and knotted carpet, the medallion, dyes and the regional weaving schools at a glance.
Read the articleAshiqs: Singers and Storytellers
The saz, the dastan and the poets' contest as a living form of oral literature.
Read the articleNizami and the Khamsa
A twelfth-century poet from Ganja and his quintet of five verse epics.
Read the articleNovruz: The Spring Festival
Four weeks, four elements, wheatgrass and fire: the road to New Year's Day.
Read the articleIntangible Heritage on the UNESCO List
Part of what makes up Azerbaijan's culture is inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. That includes, among other things, mugham, the art of the ashiqs, carpet weaving and the Novruz festival. This recognition shows that the traditions described here attract attention well beyond the country's borders.
Alongside these living traditions, certain places also belong to the cultural heritage. The Old City of Baku was added to the World Heritage list in 2000, and the Gobustan rock art landscape in 2007. Anyone interested in the country will therefore find both: customs passed from generation to generation, and places that also appear on the UNESCO lists.
Independent and Free of Sales Talk
Independent here means that the texts serve neither an organization nor an event. The goal is a careful introduction that can be a starting point for your own research, further reading or conversation. In that way the guide hopes to contribute a little to cultural exchange by presenting traditions in an understandable way and without a promotional tone.
The articles are organized by topic and can be read in any order. It is enough to begin with whatever interests you most. Connections to the other topics will appear along the way, because music, poetry, craft and festivals are so closely woven together.
Where to Begin?
If you like music, start with mugham or the ashiqs. Those drawn to crafts may prefer the article on carpets and weaving, and literature lovers the one on Nizami. If you would rather meet the customs first, read about Novruz. This culture offers so many ways in that everyone can find their own.
Recommended Sites
The following sites cover topics far from Azerbaijan and are listed here for readers who like to browse widely.
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https://saadatsaeed.com/
urdu poetry
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https://ganusoccer.net/
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air charter guide
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https://insiderevolution.net/
christian rock music
Christian rock took off when bands began pairing loud guitars with songs about belief. The genre grew through festivals, record labels and a dedicated community of listeners.
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https://welshrugby.net/
welsh rugby history
Wales treats rugby as a national passion, and Saturday matches draw whole communities to the stands. Legendary teams of the past are still discussed in pubs and clubhouses.
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https://decamarone.com/
interdisciplinary arts festival
An interdisciplinary arts festival brings music, theater, visual art and dance under one banner. Audiences can wander from one performance to another and see how different forms inspire each other.