Azerbaijani sculptor presents bust of Pope Francis

/By Azernews/

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani sculptor Zeynalabdin Isgandarov has made a bust of Pope Francis.

The sculptor was invited to the Vatican, where he handed the bust to Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Monsignor Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda.

The Monsignor hailed the work as ‘a pearl of arts’, while the bust was later presented to Pope Francis.

The Pope will visit Azerbaijan on October 2, where he will hold a Papal Mass in the metropolitan church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

During the Baku visit, the Pope is expected to meet with President Ilham Aliyev, the leadership of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) and representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Jewish community.

The long creative path of Zeynalabdin Isgandarov began at the Art School named after Azim Azimzade. Isgandarov graduated the Azerbaijan State Art Institute, where he later worked as a teacher.

Isgandarov is the author of such masterpieces as "Sattar", "Namazr", "Wind", ""Musician" and others. He is also the author of tombstones of such folk artists as Sarah Qadimova, Leyla Badirbayli, national artists Mikail Abdullayev, Maral Rahmanzadeh and others.

In 2010, Isgandarov received the title of honorary Professor of Roman Academy of Art.