The 1st International Sculpture Symposium “Music in Stone” has wrapped up in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva viewed works made by participants of the symposium, which was organized by the foundation.

14 sculptors from Azerbaijan, Spain, Hungary, Germany, USA, Bulgaria, Mexico, India, Georgia and Macedonia participated in the event. They created various works from local stones (Shamkir’s sandstone, Absheron’s limestone). The sculptors were working in Baku’s Qala Settlement, in the open air.

Sculpture is one of the most ancient types of fine arts, and in Azerbaijan, this art goes back to very old times. Since time immemorial, natural stones with different features and colours used to be mined in Azerbaijan. Plastic features of Absheron’s limestone, Garabagh’s river stone and black marble, Shamkir’s yellowish-white sandstone have shaped uniqueness of the local architecture, and its decorative patterns.

According to the plan, the event will be held each year and a museum with works of sculptors from around the world - a sculpture park - will be created in the open air.

The sympoisum was held as part of the Maiden Tower International Festival.

Held since 2010, the festival aims to promote the Maiden Tower - located on the territory of Icherisheher, which was entered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2010, and considered Baku’s symbol - throughout the world. Artist from around the world who participate in the festival decorate mock-ups of the Maiden Tower in their own national style and create works reflecting the synthesis of different cultures and traditions.