AZERBAIJAN: Restoration of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage sites helps local communities survive

Record ID: 218056

  • Title: AZERBAIJAN: Restoration of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage sites helps local communities survive
  • Date: 11th August 2006
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF TOFIC RASULOV, MASTER OF STAINED GLASS DECORATION, WORKING ON PALACE OF KHANS WINDOW PART OF STAINED GLASS IN THE FRAME RESTORED PANEL FROM THE PALACE OF KHANS RASULOV CUTTING PIECE OF STAINED GLASS FOR THE FRAME PLACING PIECE OF GLASS INTO FRAME RASULOV'S FACE RASULOV'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Azeri) TOFIC RASULOV, MASTER OF STAINED GLASS MOSAIC, SAYING: "In order
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Azerbaijan
  • Country: Azerbaijan
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,History
  • Reuters ID: LVACPKR78FR2V310VPE1TRAYFO78
  • Story Text: Foreign and local travellers have become frequent visitors to one of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage sites located in the town of Sheki, in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains and northwest of the capital Baku.
    The Palace of the Khans in Sheki, was built over a 10-year period from 1761-1771 as a royal summer residence. According to local folklore, not a single nail was used in the construction of the palace, which is made almost entirely from wood.
    One unique feature of the Palace of Khans is the large number of stained glass windows that were built without glue or nails, this construction technique is known as "shabaka".
    "In order to become a real master (of stained glass mosaic) one should know geometry, mathematics and sketching. We do this with our hands only, and we do not use nails or glue," said Tofic Rasulov at his workshop in Sheki.
    Rasulov is a "shahbaka" master. The Azeri authorities have hired him in a project to restore the Palace of Khans.
    With funding from the World Bank, the Azerbaijan government has embarked on the restoration of the Palace of Khans, plus three other historical buildings in the country.
    The preservation projects have been a lifeline for craftsmen like Rasulov, which has allowed him to expand his business, and keep traditional values of craftsmanship alive.
    "This (stained glass mosaic) is not just art, it is a philosophy, and a half read book. When you are looking at mosaic first of all you see geometrical figures, only later do you see other views, other pictures. And then your fantasy takes over and you see whatever your mind is capable of," Rasulov said.
    Originally the restoration project at the Palace of Khans was to be completed in December 2004, but the deadline has been extended to the end of 2006.
    70 local craftsmen have been involved in the project at Sheki. This has led to the formation of an artisans association, which they hope will help develop the local community and provide opportunities for a growth in local crafts.
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