International competition announced on Independence monument

"We are satisfied with the level of education in Azerbaijan Arts Academy. But sometimes there are disciplinary problems, and this connected with the students' activity in studios. A lot of foreign students study in our academy. They are talented enough. Nowadays, there are problems in the sphere of sculpture like in all cultural spheres. But as to architecture, everything is good, despite some problems, we have a lot of orders," Rector of Azerbaijan Arts Academy, famous sculptor Omar Eldarov told the APA in his exclusive interview.

He said that price rises has influenced the rise of materials used in architecture.

"The prices for plaster cast, marble and bronze products will rise. Therefore the salary should be increased," he said.

He said that several statues of Heydar Aliyev in Gars, to Ihsan Digramaji in Ankara and monument to Useyir Hajibayov in Vienna, Austria were his works.

"I will soon start new works in Turkey. I will make monuments on Turkish history. If I receive proposals from the US and Europe, I will pay attention to the content of the works," he said.

Omer Eldarov said that he got instructions to construct Heydar Aliyev's monument after Tbilisi Executive Office's decision. He stated that this instruction had been given to him before.

"I had made the monument, but they changed their mind later, and I do not know the reason. Now I do not know who's got the instruction to construct the monument," the sculptor mentioned.

The sculptor also stated that President Ilham Aliyev issued decree on constructing Independence monument and he is getting ready for the terms of the international competition that will be announced. Eldarov said that the sculptors from other countries will also take part in the competition.

"May be I will participate in this competition," he added.

Stressing that the construction of the monument dedicated to Khojali tragedy is out of discussion, the sculptor added that for construction of this monument the was is necessary to end.

"It is not time for constructing this monument yet," he stated.

Saying that he is making the statue of Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh, the sculptor noted that it will be obelisk monument dedicated to Azerbaijan.

"The monument will be placed between Economic University and Manuscript Institute. I do not know the person who is constructing this monument. I just only know that the construction of the monument will be completed this year. Saying that he intends constructing Mozart’s monument, Eldarov noted that the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and the President is necessary for construction of monumental statue.
The monuments are not looked after in Baku. Omer Eldarov pointed out the necessity of cleaning the monuments. Condemning the destruction of monuments, he negatively regarded the construction of high buildings in Icherisheher (Old City).

"70% of the buildings in Old City were small. They needed to be destroyed but new high buildings spoil the beauty of the City. They should have been constructed in a smaller size. But it is inevitable to construct new buildings without destroying the look," he said.

Academic said that it is very important to keep antiquity of Baku.

"Baku is an ancient city and we should protect it. This is a very hard and complicated matter," he added.

Omer Eldarov said that there is no initiative to organize international sculpture competition in Azerbaijan. The sculptors earn income only from orders. The prices of the monuments do not cause any problems. Omer Eldarov, president of Arts Academy, noted that he is going to resign.

"I have a candidate to this post. But I will not cite his name," he said.
Omer Eldarov noted that he hasn’t erected his own monument.

"I do not plan to do it. And I am not going to put my arts to the exhibition. My exhibition took place in Baku and Moscow once. It is a very hard process, and it needs money and time. I do not have them," he added.