Georgia's Azeri pupils show their artistic talent

The Azerbaijani Embassy announced the competition would be held from November 1 until December 1. Children studying in Azeri schools aged 6-16 could participate in the competition.

"This exhibition was dedicated to December 31, the Day of Solidarity of Azeri People all over the world. Approximately 60 paintings are exhibited here that were selected by professional jury members headed by the rector of the Georgian Academy of Arts Gia Bughadze," the Azeri Ambassador HE Namiq Aliyev told The Messenger on January 16.

Besides the works painted by Azeri children at the exhibition, other works were displayed including a collection of paintings by Lithuanian children brought to Tbilisi.

"These drawings were collected and kindly presented by the Charity Fund of Ms. Alma Adamkiene, the First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania. This is a collection of 40 paintings under the title 'Seasons of the Year' created by Lithuanian children. At the same time I want to say that this is not the first event that we are organizing with the participation of this fund," Lithuanian Ambassador HE Ricardas Degutis said on Tuesday.

21 participants of the art competition were awarded special certificates and prizes. There were three third place winners, two second place winners and one first place winner. In addition, the collection of drawings by Lithuanian children was given to the most active school, Azerbaijani school number 73 located in Tbilisi.

Members of the diplomatic corps as well as government representatives including the parliamentary Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valeri Chechelashvili, Human Rights' Ombudsman Sozar Subari were also in attendance at the event.

Chechelashvili told The Messenger that he was impressed by the children's drawings.

"Generally when the children are painting something it is very good. The Azeri told me all these works were painted by untrained children. But this is not the main point. What's notable is that these drawings are full of optimism and trust that the future will be better which is vitally important. I am sure that these children are the foundation of establishing friendly and cooperative relationships between the two countries in future," Chechelashvili said on January 16. The Messenger