"Fly to Baku: Contemporary Art from Azerbaijan" exhibition has opened in Paris. The exhibition is organized and supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and English version of Baku magazine.

Azerbaijan`s first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice President of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, as well as French Culture and Communication Minister Frederic Mitterrand attended the opening ceremony.
The exhibition was first held in London.
The exhibition, part of a series of events held by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to popularize Azerbaijan worldwide, opened at Salomon de Rothschild residence.

Initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the exhibition can be assessed as a successful presentation of the contemporary Azerbaijani art inspired by the junction of Eastern and Western cultures.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva noted that the dynamism and creative spirit in the works showcased at the exhibition reflect most of the occurrences taking place in Azerbaijan. "My country is experiencing an unprecedented period of development, and this is vividly manifested in the contemporary art sphere," Leyla Aliyeva said.

Leyla Aliyeva briefed the participants on the works and painters involved in the exhibition: “It involves 21 Azerbaijani painters. Some of them are young and have just begun painting, and some of them are famous painters being long engaged in this work. We have here over 100 works – videos, installations, paintings, performances and photographs. An interesting point here is that the majority of these works has been created specifically for "Fly to Baku" exhibition and is showcased for the first time. We plan to hold this exhibition in entire Europe. We hope to hold it also in New York, and it will be finished in Baku.”
Curator of the exhibition Herve Mikaeloff stressed that the exhibition drew attention with its richness and the exhibited works were distinguished with their authenticity. "The Azerbaijani art has deep historical roots," Mikaeloff said, noting that such events helped to popularize the country even more. Mikaeloff thanked Azerbaijani first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva for exerting great efforts to organize the exhibition.

Then Azerbaijani first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the Foundation`s Vice President Leyla Aliyeva and French Culture and Communication Minister Frederic Mitterrand viewed "Fly to Baku: Contemporary Art from Azerbaijan" exhibition.

Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva was among the participants of the exhibitions. Her illustrations will be used in storybook "Biri var idi, biri yox" (Once upon a time) to be published in Russian and English languages in the future. Her paintings "Pomegranate", "Pomegranate tree", "Life continues" and other works have found a way to hearts of the participants with their authenticity.
A painting of young artist Aida Mahmudova also attracted the participants with its style. The author presents her past life, events and feelings in this work. Besides, the exhibition showcases works by Altay Sadigzade, Anvar Asgarov, Mirnadir Zeynalov, in general of 21 authors, created in different styles such as fine art, graphics, photography and video. Each of the works awakens interest with their authenticity and artistic style. These works of art encompassed by interesting and different vanguard ideas are showing peculiarity of the Azerbaijani art. The works manifesting original taste, interesting thought and gentle spirit also draw attention with unusual expression technologies.
The exhibition also showcases works by painters representing Azerbaijan at Venice Biennale, young painters living in foreign countries, as well as artists participating in high-profile international events.

The exhibition is planned to be held in Moscow, Berlin, Roma, New York and finally in Baku.

Following the opening ceremony Azerbaijani first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva hosted a dinner in honor of the guests of the exhibition.

First lady Mehriban Aliyeva and French Culture and Communication Minister Frederic Mitterrand addressed the dinner.