Arts festival dedicated to Azerbaijani poet starts in Baku

An arts festival dedicated to the Azerbaijani medieval poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi has kicked off in Baku.

Imadaddin Nasimi (b. 1370 – d. 1417) is one of the most well-known and prominent of Azerbaijan’s thinkers and poets. He wrote in Azerbaijani, Farsi and Arabic. He played an important role in the development of Azerbaijani poetry. He was a follower of Hurufism – a branch of Sufism. He was executed in Aleppo for his blasphemous beliefs, with most accounts claiming he was skinned alive.

Numerous activities will take place during the festival: poetry readings, fashion shows, concerts given by local and foreign musicians, lectures, exhibitions and even a yoga session. These events will take place at various locations in Baku and its suburbs, including Shamakh where the poet was born.

The festival is organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.