On May 15, the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Chronicle of the City of Winds" Baku in the Works of  Artists from the 19th to 21st Century was held at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, the exhibition presents the historical, architectural, and cultural development of the city of Baku from the 19th century to the present day through the medium of visual art. The exhibition was organized in accordance with the decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, declaring 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” in the country. The exhibition features more than 80 examples of painting, graphic art, and sculpture.

The exhibition was opened within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, which will take place in the capital from May 17 to 22. Alongside works from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, the exhibition also showcases artworks presented by contemporary artists.

At the opening ceremony, attended by numerous members of the public, speeches were delivered by Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Saadat Yusifova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art Shirin Melikova, and People’s Artist Salhab Mammadov. The speakers emphasized that the architectural image of Baku, shaped over centuries, as well as its rich cultural environment, occupies a special place in Azerbaijani visual art. It was noted that the works presented at the exhibition artistically reflect the historical memory of the capital, its urban transformation, and the aesthetic spirit of different eras. The speakers also stated that the project demonstrates the interconnection between urban planning, architecture, and visual art, while creating a visual dialogue between Baku’s past and its contemporary development.

During the event, Honored Artist Nargiz Karimova, accompanied by laureate of international and national competitions Zumrud Alizade, performed unforgettable songs dedicated to Baku.

The exhibition “Chronicle of the City of Winds” brings together works by classical and contemporary artists, presenting the city’s multilayered identity. Here, the image of Baku comes alive through the stone streets and architectural monuments of the ancient Inner City, industrial panoramas of the oil era, the romantic atmosphere of the seaside, and the modern urban skyline.

The exhibition offers a broad artistic panorama ranging from historical depictions of Baku by artists such as Ali bey Huseynzade, Pyotr Vereshchagin, and Ivan Sheblykin to works by prominent artists including Tahir Salahov, Sattar Bahlulzade, Toğrul Narimanbeyov, Elmira Shahtakhtinskaya, and others. Works dating from the late 20th and early 21st centuries reflect the rapid transformations Baku underwent during the independence period, its new architectural environment, and the rhythm of the modern city. Artworks by Altay Sadigzade, Huseyn Hagverdiyev, Museyib Amirov, Irina Eldarova, Anar Huseynzade, and other contemporary artists have become artistic expressions of this new perspective.

The exhibition display is further enriched with a multimedia presentation. Archival video footage provided by the Azerbaijan State Film Fund, along with photographic materials displayed via touchscreen technology, offers visitors the opportunity to explore Baku of different eras more closely.

The exhibition will continue until August 31, 2026.