Fine arts competition on Khojaly tragedy announced in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan have announced a competition of fine arts dedicated to the Khojaly Tragedy. The contest will be held in four areas: painting, sculpture, decorative arts and contemporary art, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Spokesperson Zohra Aliyeva said.

Winners in each nominations will receive 2,000 manat, winners of second place – 1,500 manat and the third place winners– 1,000.  Encouraging premium will total 300 manat. Individuals who wish to participate are required to submit works to the Artists' Union until January 30, 2011.

Armenian armed groups carried out genocide in Azerbaijan’s Khojaly town with a population of  7,000 on Feb. 26, 1992. About three thousand people were in the town when it was captured by the Armenian armed formations. Majority of the population was forced to leave the town due to the blockade that lasted more than four months.

More than 600 people were killed and 1,000 people became disabled during the massacre. As many as 63 children, 106 women, 70 elderly people were killed. 8 families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents and 130 lost one of them. On the night of the tragedy, 1,275 people were taken hostages. Fate of 150 of them still remains unknown.


/Trend Life/