Editing Azerbaijan (section)

==Culture==
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| header            = The [[Azerbaijani rug|Azerbaijani carpet]] and [[Kalaghai]], a [[UNESCO]] [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]
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The [[culture of Azerbaijan]] has developed as a result of many influences; that is why Azerbaijanis are, in many ways, bi-cultural. National traditions are preserved despite Western influences, including globalized consumer culture. For example, [[Novruz in Azerbaijan|Novruz Bayram]] is a family holiday derived from the traditional celebration of the New Year in [[Zoroastrianism]].<ref>{{cite web| last = Waters| first = Zena| title = What exactly is Novruz Bayram| publisher = Azerbaijan Today| url = http://www.azerbaijantoday.az/ARCHIVE/12/life1.html| access-date = 22 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110514214646/http://www.azerbaijantoday.az/ARCHIVE/12/life1.html| archive-date = 14 May 2011}}</ref>

Azerbaijani national and traditional dresses are the [[chokha]] and [[papakhi]]. There are radio broadcasts in Russian, [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]], [[Lezgian language|Lezgian]] and [[Talysh language|Talysh]] languages, which are financed from the state budget.<ref name="MIN"/> Some local radio stations in [[Balakən|Balakan]] and [[Khachmaz (city)|Khachmaz]] organize broadcasts in [[Avar language|Avar]] and [[Tat language (Caucasus)|Tat]].<ref name="MIN"/> In Baku several newspapers are published in Russian, Kurdish (''Dengi Kurd''), Lezgian (''Samur'') and Talysh languages.<ref name="MIN"/> Jewish society "Sokhnut" publishes the newspaper ''Aziz''.<ref name="MIN"/>

===Architecture===
[[File:Baku White City under construction.jpg|thumb|right|[[Baku White City]] in [[Baku]], was opened in 2011 and completed in 2022]]
[[Architecture of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani architecture]] typically combines elements of [[Eastern world|East]] and [[Western culture|West]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Khanlou | first = Pirouz | title = Baku's Architecture A Fusion of East and West | publisher = Azerbaijan International | url = http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/24_folder/24_articles/24_architecture.html | access-date = 12 March 2016 | archive-date = 16 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111116060241/http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/24_folder/24_articles/24_architecture.html | url-status = live|date=Winter 1994}}</ref> with heavy influences from [[Iranian architecture|Persian architecture]]. Many ancient architectural treasures are preserved, such as the [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]] and [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs]] in the Walled City of Baku. Entries on the [[UNESCO World Heritage]] tentative list include the [[Ateshgah of Baku]], [[Momine Khatun Mausoleum]], [[Hirkan National Park]], [[Binagadi asphalt lake]], [[Lökbatan Mud Volcano]], [[Shusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve]], Baku Stage Mountain, Caspian Shore Defensive Constructions, Ordubad National Reserve and the [[Palace of Shaki Khans]].<ref>{{cite web | title =Azerbaijan Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List | publisher =[[UNESCO]] | url =https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/az | access-date =26 December 2019 | archive-date =7 July 2017 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170707173059/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/az/ | url-status =live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan | publisher =World Heritage Site | url =http://www.worldheritagesite.org/countries/azerbaijan.html | access-date =22 May 2011 | archive-date =2 October 2011 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20111002214454/http://www.worldheritagesite.org/countries/azerbaijan.html | url-status =live }}</ref>

Among other architectural treasures are [[Quadrangular castle (Mardakan)|Quadrangular Castle]] in [[Mardakan]], [[Parigala]] in [[Yuxarı Çardaqlar|Yukhary Chardaglar]], several bridges spanning the Aras River, and several mausoleums. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, little monumental architecture was created, but distinctive residences were built in Baku and elsewhere. Among the most recent architectural monuments, the [[Baku Metro|Baku subways]] are noted for their lavish decor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Over 70 underground stations to be built in Baku|url=http://news.az/articles/economy/25958|publisher=News.Az|access-date=2011-02-18|archive-date=2010-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107195536/http://news.az/articles/economy/25958|url-status=live|date=2010-11-04}}</ref>

The task for modern Azerbaijani architecture is diverse application of modern aesthetics, the search for an architect's own artistic style and inclusion of the existing historico-cultural environment. Major projects such as [[Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center]], [[Flame Towers]], [[Baku Crystal Hall]], [[Baku White City]] and [[SOCAR Tower]] have transformed the country's skyline and promotes its contemporary identity.<ref>{{cite web |author= Jon Walton |url=http://www.constructiondigital.com/under_construction/100-billion-khazar-islands-taking-shape |title=$100 Billion Khazar Islands Taking Shape |publisher=Construction Digital |date=1 February 2012 |access-date=25 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713004934/http://www.constructiondigital.com/under_construction/100-billion-khazar-islands-taking-shape |archive-date=13 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Glass|first=Nick|title=Flame Towers light up Baku's historic skyline|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/asia/great-buildings-barry-hughes|publisher=CNN |access-date=14 April 2013|date=2012-09-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128025757/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/asia/great-buildings-barry-hughes|archive-date=2014-01-28}}</ref>

===Music and dance===
[[File:Uzeyir Hajibeyov.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Uzeyir Hajibeyov]] merged traditional [[Azerbaijani music]] with Western styles in the early 20th century.]]
[[Music of Azerbaijan]] builds on [[Folk music|folk traditions]] that reach back nearly a thousand years,<ref>David C. King. ''Azerbaijan'', Marshall Cavendish, 2006, p. 94</ref> evolving around the badge of [[monody]], producing rhythmically diverse melodies.<ref name="EMD">Энциклопедический музыкальный словарь, 2-е изд., Москва, 1966 (''Encyclopedical Music Dictionary'' (1966), 2nd ed., Moscow)</ref> The music has a branchy [[Musical mode|mode]] system, where [[Chromaticism|chromatization]] of [[major and minor]] [[Musical scale|scales]] is of great importance.<ref name="EMD"/> Among national musical instruments there are 14 [[string instrument]]s, eight percussion instruments and six wind instruments.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Azerbaijan musical instruments |website=Atlas.musigi-dunya.az |url=http://atlas.musigi-dunya.az/atlas/en/instruments.html |access-date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826153640/http://atlas.musigi-dunya.az/atlas/en/instruments.html |archive-date=26 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to ''[[The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians|The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians]]'', "in terms of ethnicity, culture and religion the Azerbaijani are musically much closer to Iran than Turkey."<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=During|first=Jean|title=Azerbaijan|encyclopedia=The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians|year=2001|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-23111-1}}</ref>
[[File:Pht-Vugar_Ibadov_eurovision_(2).jpg|thumb|[[Alim Qasimov]] performs [[mugham]] at [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012]]. The Azerbaijani Mugham was inscribed in 2008 as a [[UNESCO]] [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage of Humanity]].]]
[[Mugham]] is usually a suite with poetry and instrumental interludes. When performing mugham, the singers have to transform their emotions into singing and music. In contrast to the mugham traditions of Central Asian countries, Azerbaijani mugham is more free-form and less rigid; it is often compared to the improvised field of [[jazz]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Duncan |first=Ishhad |title=The Baku Jazz Festival: Reviving a Tradition in Azerbaijan |publisher=EurasiaNet |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav042805.shtml |access-date=2005-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050508164545/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav042805.shtml |archive-date=2005-05-08|url-status=live|date=2005-04-27}}</ref> [[UNESCO]] proclaimed the Azerbaijani mugham tradition a [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]. [[Meykhana]] is a kind of traditional Azerbaijani distinctive folk unaccompanied song, usually performed by several people improvising on a particular subject.<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of the Muslim World |last1=Bahl |first1=Taru |last2=Syed |first2= M. H. |publisher=Anmol Publications PVT |isbn= 978-81-261-1419-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJTdr3JI46wC&pg=PA25 |page=25 |year=2003 }}</ref>

[[Ashik|Ashiq]] combines poetry, storytelling, dance, and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional performance art that stands as a symbol of Azerbaijani culture. It is a mystic [[troubadour]] or traveling bard who sings and plays the [[baglama|saz]]. This tradition has its origin in the [[Shamanism|shamanistic]] beliefs of ancient [[Turkic peoples]].<ref name="European University Institute, Florence, Italy">[http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/paksoy-6/cae05.html "ashik, shaman"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526122055/http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/paksoy-6/cae05.html |date=26 May 2017 }} – ''European University Institute, Florence, Italy'' (retrieved 10 August 2006).</ref> Ashiqs' songs are semi-improvised around common bases. Azerbaijan's ashiq art was included in the list of [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] by UNESCO in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan's ashug art included into UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage |publisher=Today.Az |url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/56083.html |access-date=2009-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002213552/http://www.today.az/news/politics/56083.html |archive-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=live|date=2009-10-01}}</ref>

Since the mid-1960s, Western-influenced [[Azerbaijani pop music]], in its various forms, that has been growing in popularity in Azerbaijan, while genres such as [[Azerbaijani rock|rock]] and [[Azerbaijani hip hop|hip hop]] are widely produced and enjoyed. Azerbaijani pop and [[Azerbaijani folk music]] arose with the international popularity of performers like [[Alim Qasimov]], [[Rashid Behbudov]], [[Vagif Mustafazadeh]], [[Muslim Magomayev (musician)|Muslim Magomayev]], [[Shovkat Alakbarova]] and [[Rubaba Muradova]].<ref>{{cite news| last =Hutcheon | first =David | title =Alim Qasimov: the living legend you've never heard of |work=The Times | date = 19 September 2008| url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4781720.ece| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616061349/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4781720.ece| url-status = dead| archive-date = 16 June 2011| access-date = 19 September 2008 | location=London}}</ref> Azerbaijan is an enthusiastic participant in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan made its debut appearance at the 2008 [[Eurovision Song Contest 2008|Eurovision Song Contest]]. The [[Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009|country's entry]] gained third place in 2009 and fifth the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Washington Post: Azerbaijan duo upset favorites Ireland for first-time win at 2011 Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://president.az/az/articles/view/2160 |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=president.az |date=2011-05-14|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004014317/https://president.az/az/articles/view/2160|archivedate=2023-10-04}}</ref> [[Eldar & Nigar|Ell and Nikki]] won the first place at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2011]] with the song "[[Running Scared (Ell & Nikki song)|Running Scared]]", entitling Azerbaijan to host the contest in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012|2012]], in Baku.<ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan wins the Eurovision Song Contest |work=BBC News |date=14 May 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13387886 |access-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514035914/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13387886 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lusher|first=Adam|title=Azerbaijan wins Eurovision Song Contest|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/eurovision/8514539/Azerbaijan-wins-Eurovision-Song-Contest.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/eurovision/8514539/Azerbaijan-wins-Eurovision-Song-Contest.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|access-date=15 May 2011|location=London|date=15 May 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> They have qualified for every Grand Final up until the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2018|2018 edition of the contest]], entering with [[X My Heart (song)|X My Heart]] by singer [[Aisel (singer)|Aisel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 First Semi-final Scoreboard|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/lisbon-2018/first-semi-final/scoreboard|publisher=Eurovision Song Contest|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512234516/https://eurovision.tv/event/lisbon-2018/first-semi-final/scoreboard|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are dozens of [[Azerbaijani dances|Azerbaijani folk dances]]. They are performed at formal celebrations and the dancers wear national clothes like the chokha, which is well-preserved within the national dances. Most dances have a very fast rhythm.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Азербайджанская Советская Социалистическая Республика |encyclopedia=[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]] }}</ref>

===Art===
[[File:Azerbaijan tradition.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Traditional Azerbaijani clothing and musical instruments]]
[[Azerbaijani art]] is represented by a wide range of handicrafts, such as [[Repoussé and chasing|chasing]], jeweling, engraving in metal, carving in wood, stone, or bone, carpet-making, lasing, pattern weaving and printing, and knitting and embroidery. Each of these types of decorative art, evidence of the endowments of the Azerbaijan nation, is very much in favor here. Many interesting facts pertaining to the development of arts and crafts in Azerbaijan were reported by numerous merchants, travelers, and diplomats who had visited these places at different times.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eanpages.org/2018/09/01/country-of-the-month-azerbaijan |title=Country of the month – Azerbaijan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 September 2018 |website=eanpages.org }}</ref>

The [[Azerbaijani rug|Azerbaijani carpet]] is a traditional handmade textile of various sizes, with a dense texture and a pile or pile-less surface, whose patterns are characteristic of Azerbaijan's many carpet-making regions. In November 2010 the Azerbaijani carpet was proclaimed a [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage]] by UNESCO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00389 |title=The traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving in the Republic of Azerbaijan |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205005739/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00389 |archive-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=134436 |title=Azerbaijani carpet entered UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage |publisher=Azerbaijan Press Agency |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=11 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311005157/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=134436 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Azerbaijani carpets can be categorized under several large groups and a multitude of subgroups. Scientific research of the Azerbaijani carpet is connected with the name of [[Latif Karimov]], a prominent Soviet-era scientist and artist.<ref>{{cite web| title =Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura | publisher = [[UNESCO]] | url = http://portal.unesco.org/es/ev.php-URL_ID=31108&URL_DO=DO_PRINTPAGE&URL_SECTION=201.html}}</ref>
[[File:Lahic folk art.png|thumb|left|Handwork coppery in [[Lahıc, Ismailli|Lahij]]]]
Azerbaijan has been since ancient times known as a center of a large variety of crafts. Archeology testifies to the well-developed agriculture, stock raising, metalworking, pottery, ceramics, and carpet-weaving that date as far back as to the 2nd millennium BC. Archeological sites in Dashbulaq, Hasansu, Zayamchai, and Tovuzchai uncovered from the BTC pipeline have revealed early Iron Age artifacts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agt.si.edu/site_overviews/azerbaijan/zayam_tovuz_artifact_catalogue.html|title=Ancient Heritage of the BTC – SCP Pipeline Corridor|website=Smithsonian|access-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423041508/http://www.agt.si.edu/site_overviews/azerbaijan/zayam_tovuz_artifact_catalogue.html|archive-date=23 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Sheki dvoretc rospisi az.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|A [[Miniature (illuminated manuscript)|miniature painting]] of a battle scene on the walls of the [[Palace of Shaki Khans]], 18th century, [[Shaki, Azerbaijan|city of Shaki]]]]
The [[Gamigaya Petroglyphs]], which date back to the 1st to 4th millennium BC, are located in Azerbaijan's [[Ordubad District]]. They consist of some 1,500 dislodged and carved rock paintings with images of deer, goats, bulls, dogs, snakes, birds, fantastic beings, and people, carriages, and various symbols were found on basalt rocks.<ref>[http://irs-az.com/pdf/090621154956.pdf Наскальные рисунки Гямигая]. irs-az.com.</ref> Norwegian [[ethnographer]] and adventurer [[Thor Heyerdahl]] was convinced that people from the area went to [[Scandinavia]] in about 100 AD, took their boatbuilding skills with them, and transmuted them into the [[Longship|Viking boats]] in northern Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ornaments Coming from Gobustan |url=https://divainternational.ch/ornaments-coming-from-gobustan.html|website=Diva International|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223012023/https://divainternational.ch/ornaments-coming-from-gobustan.html|archivedate=2025-02-23|date=2007-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gobustan Rock Art|url=http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/gobustan.html|website=worldheritagesite.org|access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref>

Over the centuries, Azerbaijani art has gone through many stylistic changes. Painting is traditionally characterized by a warmth of colour and light, as exemplified in the works of [[Azim Azimzade]] and [[Bahruz Kangarli]], and a preoccupation with religious figures and cultural motifs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Azerbaijani Artists |url=http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/soviet/Azerbaijani-Artists.html|website=arthistoryarchive.com|access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref> Azerbaijani painting enjoyed preeminence in Caucasus for hundreds of years, from the [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] and [[Culture of the Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] periods, and through the [[Socialist realism|Soviet]] and [[Baroque]] periods, the latter two of which saw fruition in Azerbaijan. Notable artists include [[Sattar Bahlulzade]], [[Togrul Narimanbekov]], [[Tahir Salahov]], [[Alakbar Rezaguliyev]], [[Mirza Gadim Iravani]], [[Mikayil Abdullayev]] and [[Boyukagha Mirzazade]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Steps of Time & Art is not only ugly|url=http://universes-in-universe.org/eng/nafas/articles/2008/azerbaijan_art|website=universes-in-universe.org|access-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315004428/http://universes-in-universe.org/eng/nafas/articles/2008/azerbaijan_art|archive-date=15 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<gallery class="center" perrow="7" widths="130px" heights="160px">
File:Shaki khan palace interier.jpg|[[Usta Gambar Karabakhi]] – Tree of Life<br />([[Palace of Shaki Khans]])
File:Portrait of sitting woman by Irevani.jpg|[[Mirza Gadim Iravani]] – Portrait of sitting woman<br />([[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan]])
File:Dağ mənzərəsi – Bəhruz Kəngərli.jpg|[[Bahruz Kangarli]] – Landscape with mountains<br />([[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan]])
File:Ruins of Reichstag.jpg|[[Azim Azimzade]] – Ruins of Reichstag<br />([[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan]])
</gallery>

===Literature===
The earliest known figure in written [[Azerbaijani literature]] was [[Izzeddin Hasanoghlu]], who composed a [[Diwan (poetry)|divan]] consisting of Persian and Azerbaijani [[ghazal]]s.<ref name="beale">{{cite book |title=An Oriental Biographical Dictionary |last=Beale |first=Thomas William |author2=Keene Henry George |year=1894 |publisher=W.H.Allen |page=311 |isbn=9781404706484 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lxgaAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA311}}</ref><ref name="caferoglu">A.Caferoglu, "Adhari(azeri)", in ''Encyclopedia of Islam'', (new edition), Vol. 1, (Leiden, 1986)</ref> In Persian ghazals he used a pen-name, while his Azerbaijani ghazals were composed under his own name of Hasanoghlu.<ref name="beale" /> Among the medieval authors was Persian poet and philosopher [[Nizami Ganjavi|Nizami]], called Ganjavi after his place of birth, [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], who was the author of the [[Khamsa of Nizami|Khamsa]] ("The Quintuplet"), composed of five romantic poems, including "The Treasure of Mysteries", "Khosrow and Shīrīn", and "Leyli and Mejnūn".<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/46781/Azerbaijan/44294/Education Azerbaijan. Cultural life]. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''.</ref>

Classical literature was formed in the 14th century based on the various Early Middle Ages dialects of [[Tabriz]] and [[Shirvan]]. Among the poets of this period were [[Kadi Burhan al-Din|Gazi Burhanaddin]], Haqiqi (pen-name of [[Jahan Shah|Jahan Shah Qara Qoyunlu]]), and [[Habibi (poet)|Habibi]].<ref name="tyrrell1">{{cite book |title=Aesopian Literary Dimensions of Azerbaijani Literature of the Soviet Period, 1920–1990 |last=Tyrrell |first=Maliheh S. |year=2001 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-0-7391-0169-8 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h4N_dneMybQC&pg=PA12}}</ref> The end of the 14th century was the start of literary activity of [[Nesimi|Imadaddin Nasimi]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Průšek |first=Jaroslav |title=Dictionary of Oriental Literatures |year=1974 |publisher=Basic Books |page=138 }}</ref> one of the greatest Azerbaijani<ref>{{cite web |title=AZERBAIJAN viii. Azeri Turkish |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/azerbaijan-viii |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |access-date=9 May 2022 |date=15 December 1988 |quote=The oldest poet of the Azeri literature known so far (and '''indubitably of Azeri''', not of East Anatolian of Khorasani, '''origin''') is ʿEmād-al-dīn Nasīmī (about 1369–1404, q.v.).}}</ref><ref name="burrill">{{cite book |last=Burrill |first=Kathleen R.F. |title=The Quatrains of Nesimi Fourteenth-Century Turkic Hurufi |year=1972 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG |page=46 |isbn=978-90-279-2328-8 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Balan |first1=Canan |title=Transience, absurdity, dreams and other illusions: Turkish shadow play |journal=Early Popular Visual Culture |date=1 July 2008 |volume=6 |issue=2 |page=177 |doi=10.1080/17460650802150424 |s2cid=191493938 |issn=1746-0654}}</ref> [[Hurufism|Hurufi]] mystical poets of the late 14th and early 15th centuries<ref name="nesimibritannica">{{cite encyclopedia
 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9055331/Seyid-Imadeddin-Nesimi
 |title=Seyid Imadeddin Nesimi
 |access-date=1 September 2008
 |year=2008
 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118133336/https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9055331/Seyid-Imadeddin-Nesimi
 |archive-date=18 January 2008
 |url-status=live
}}</ref> and one of the most prominent early divan masters in Turkic literary history,<ref name="nesimibritannica" /> who also composed poetry in Persian<ref name="burrill" /><ref name="babinger">{{cite web | url = http://www.brillonline.nl/public/LOGIN?sessionid=9e48c95d2ac06a8aacef322fe2b5e652&authstatuscode=400 | title = Nesīmī, Seyyid ʿImād al-Dīn | access-date = 1 September 2008 | last = Babinger | first = Franz | year = 2008 | website = Encyclopaedia of Islam | publisher = Brill Online | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200729045944/http://www.brillonline.nl/public/LOGIN?sessionid=9e48c95d2ac06a8aacef322fe2b5e652&authstatuscode=400 | archive-date = 29 July 2020 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and Arabic.<ref name="nesimibritannica" /> The divan and ghazal styles were further developed by poets [[Qasem-e Anvar]], [[Fuzuli (poet)|Fuzuli]] and [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] [[Shah Ismail I]] who wrote under the pen name "Khata'i".

The ''[[Book of Dede Korkut]]'' consists of two manuscripts copied in the 16th century,<ref name="Meeker">Michael E. Meeker, "The Dede Korkut Ethic", International Journal of Middle East Studies, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Aug. 1992), 395–417. excerpt: The Book of Dede Korkut is an early record of oral Turkic folktales in Anatolia, and as such, one of the mythic charters of Turkish nationalist ideology. The oldest versions of the Book of Dede Korkut consist of two manuscripts copied in the 16th century. The twelve stories that are recorded in these manuscripts are believed to be derived from a cycle of stories and songs circulating among Turkic peoples living in northeastern Anatolia and northwestern Azerbaijan. According to Lewis (1974), an older substratum of these oral traditions dates to conflicts between the ancient Oghuz and their Turkish rivals in Central Asia (the Pecheneks and the Kipchaks), but this substratum has been clothed in references to the 14th-century campaigns of the Akkoyunlu Confederation of Turkic tribes against the Georgians, the Abkhaz, and the Greeks in Trebizond. Such stories and songs would have emerged no earlier than the beginning of the 13th century, and the written versions that have reached us would have been composed no later than the beginning of the 15th century. By this time, the Turkic peoples in question had been in touch with Islamic civilization for several centuries, had come to call themselves "Turcoman" rather than "Oghuz," had close associations with sedentary and urbanized societies, and were participating in Islamized regimes that included nomads, farmers, and townsmen. Some had abandoned their nomadic way of life altogether.</ref> and was not written earlier than the 15th century.<ref name="Kafadar">Cemal Kafadar(1995), "in Between Two Worlds: Construction of the Ottoman states", University of California Press, 1995. Excerpt: "It was not earlier than the fifteenth century. Based on the fact that the author is buttering up both the Akkoyunlu and Ottoman rulers, it has been suggested that the composition belongs to someone living in the undefined border region lands between the two states during the reign of Uzun Hassan (1466–78). G. Lewis, on the other hand, dates the composition "fairly early in the 15th century at least."</ref><ref name="IranicaOguzKhan">İlker Evrım Bınbaş, Encyclopædia Iranica, "Oguz Khan Narratives" [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/oguz-khan-narratives Encyclopædia Iranica | Articles]. Retrieved October 2010. "The Ketāb-e Dede Qorqut, which is a collection of twelve stories reflecting the oral traditions of the Turkmens in the 15th-century eastern Anatolia, is also called Oḡuz-nāma"</ref> It is a collection of 12 stories reflecting the oral tradition of Oghuz nomads.<ref name="IranicaOguzKhan" /> The 16th-century poet [[Fuzuli (poet)|Fuzuli]] produced his timeless philosophical and lyrical ''Qazals'' in Arabic, Persian, and Azerbaijani. Benefiting immensely from the fine literary traditions of his environment, and building upon the legacy of his predecessors, Fuzuli was destined to become the leading literary figure of his society. His major works include ''The Divan of Ghazals'' and ''The Qasidas''. In the same century, Azerbaijani literature further flourished with the development of ashik ({{langx|az|Aşıq}}) poetic genre of bards. During the same period, under the pen-name of Khatāī ({{langx|ar|خطائی}} for ''sinner'') Shah Ismail I wrote about 1,400 verses in Azerbaijani,<ref name="minorsky1">{{cite journal |last=Minorsky |first=Vladimir |year=1942 |title=The Poetry of Shah Ismail |journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London |volume=10 |issue=4 |page=1053 |doi=10.1017/S0041977X00090182 |s2cid=159929872 }}</ref> which were later published as his ''Divan''. A unique literary style known as ''qoshma'' ({{langx|az|qoşma}} for ''improvisation'') was introduced in this period and developed by Shah Ismail and later by his son and successor, Shah [[Tahmasp I]].<ref name="Mino">V. Minorsky, "The Poetry of Shah Ismail I," ''Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies'', University of London 10/4 (1942): 1006–53.</ref>

In the span of the 17th and 18th centuries, Fuzuli's unique genres as well ashik poetry were taken up by prominent poets and writers such as [[Qovsi of Tabriz]], [[Abbas II of Persia|Shah Abbas Sani]], {{ill|Agha Mesih Shirvani|ru|Ага Масих Ширвани|vertical-align=sup}}, Nishat, [[Molla Vali Vidadi]], [[Molla Panah Vagif]], Amani, Zafar and others. Along with Turks, [[Turkmens]] and [[Uzbeks]], Azerbaijanis celebrate the [[Epic of Koroglu]] (from {{langx|az|kor oğlu}} for ''blind man's son''), a legendary folk hero.<ref name="samuel">{{cite book |title=Tantra and Popular Religion in Tibet |last1=Samuel |first1=Geoffrey |last2=Gregor |first2= Hamish|last3=Stutchbury |first3= Elisabeth |year=1994 |publisher=International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan |isbn=978-81-85689-68-5 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n74KAAAAYAAJ}}</ref> Several documented versions of Koroglu epic remain at the Institute for Manuscripts of the [[National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan]].<ref name="caferoglu" />

===Media===
{{Main|Media of Azerbaijan|Media freedom in Azerbaijan}}
The first newspaper in Azerbaijani, ''[[Akinchi]]'' was published in 1875.<ref>{{cite book |author-link=:ru:Фриче Владимир Максимович |first1= Vladimir |last1=Friche |author2-link=Anatoly Lunacharsky |first2=Anatoly |last2=Lunacharsky |date=1929–1939 |title=Литературная энциклопедия. — В 11 т.; М.: издательство Коммунистической академии, Советская энциклопедия, Художественная литература |language=ru }}</ref> There are three state-owned television channels: [[AzTV]], [[Idman Azerbaijan TV|Idman TV]] and [[Medeniyyet TV]]. There is one public channel and 6 private channels: [[İctimai Television]], Space TV, [[Lider TV]], [[Azad Azerbaijan TV]], [[Xazar TV]], {{ill|Real TV (Azerbaijan) {{!}} Real TV|az|Real TV (Azərbaycan)|vertical-align=sup}} and [[Region TV|ARB]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ntrc.gov.az/az/content/left/2.html |title=Ümumrespublika Televiziya Kanalları |language=az |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=ntrc.gov.az |access-date=2020-11-23 |archive-date=2020-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125170255/http://www.ntrc.gov.az/az/content/left/2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Cinema===
{{Main|Cinema of Azerbaijan|3 = Television in Azerbaijan}}
[[File:Film of Azerbaijan 1916.jpg|thumb|left|Scene from the Azerbaijani film ''[[In the Kingdom of Oil and Millions]]'', 1916]]
The film industry in Azerbaijan dates back to 1898. Azerbaijan was among the first countries involved in cinematography,<ref name="mishon">{{cite news |url= http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/53_folder/53_articles/53_100years.html|title=Cinema in Azerbaijan: Pre-Soviet Era|date=Autumn 1997|publisher=Azerbaijan International|access-date=12 March 2016}}</ref> with the apparatus first showing up in Baku.<ref name="cinemainazerbaijan">[http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/53_folder/53_articles/53_100years.html Celebrating 100 Years in Film, not 80] by Aydin Kazimzade. Azerbaijan International, Autumn 1997</ref> In 1919 a documentary ''The Celebration of the Anniversary of Azerbaijani Independence'' was filmed on the first anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence from Russia, 27 May, and premiered in June 1919 at several theatres in Baku.<ref name="ocaz">{{cite web| title =Azerbaijani cinema in 1920–1935: Silent films | publisher = OCAZ.eu| url = http://www.ocaz.eu/cinema-theatre.html}}</ref> After the Soviet power was established in 1920, [[Nariman Narimanov]], chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of Azerbaijan, signed a decree nationalizing Azerbaijan's cinema. This also influenced the creation of [[Azerbaijani animation]].<ref name="ocaz"/>

In 1991, after Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union, the first Baku International Film Festival East-West was held in Baku. In December 2000, former President Heydar Aliyev signed a decree proclaiming 2 August to be the professional holiday of filmmakers of Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijani filmmakers are again dealing with issues similar to those faced by cinematographers prior to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1920. Once again, both choices of content and sponsorship of films are largely left up to the initiative of the filmmaker.<ref name="mishon"/>

===Cuisine===
[[File:Azərbaycan dolması.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Dolma]], a traditional Azerbaijani meal]]
[[Azerbaijani cuisine]] uses an abundance of seasonal vegetables and greens. Fresh herbs, including mint, cilantro (coriander), dill, basil, parsley, tarragon, leeks, chives, thyme, marjoram, green onion, and watercress, are popular and often accompany main dishes on the table. Climatic diversity and fertility of the land are reflected in the national dishes, which are based on fish from the Caspian Sea, local meat (mainly mutton and beef), and seasonal vegetables and greens.

Saffron-rice [[plov]] is the flagship food in Azerbaijan, and [[black tea]] is the national beverage.<ref>{{cite web| last = Akhmedov| first = IA| script-title=ru:Азербайджанская кухня | publisher = Издательство "Ишыг"| url = http://www.azeri.ru/az/cuisine/azerbaydjanskaya_kuhnya|language=ru}}</ref> Azerbaijanis often use traditional [[armudu]] (pear-shaped) glass as they have very strong [[Azerbaijani tea culture|tea culture]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://aze.info/azerbaijan_traditions/chaihana_baku/| title = Chaihana: culture in action| publisher = Aze.info| access-date = 14 December 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130105070850/http://www.aze.info/azerbaijan_traditions/chaihana_baku/| archive-date = 5 January 2013| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZVN2MwWZVAC|title=The Azerbaijani Turks: power and identity under Russian rule. Audrey L. Altstadt |publisher=Hoover Institution Press |isbn=978-0-8179-9182-1|year=1992 }}</ref> Popular traditional dishes include [[bozbash]] (lamb soup that exists in several regional varieties with the addition of different vegetables), [[qutab]] (fried turnover with a filling of greens or minced meat) and [[dushbara]] (dumplings filled with ground meat and spices).

===Sport===
<!-- If you want to expand this section, please add new info into the main article: "Sport in Azerbaijan" your work will be very appreciated. -->
{{Main|Sport in Azerbaijan}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
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| image1            = Mamedyarov, Shamkir 2016.JPG
| width1            = 168
| caption1          = [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]] was the 2013 [[World Rapid Chess Championship|World Rapid Chess]] and three-time [[European Team Chess Championship|European Team Chess]] champion
| image2            = Teymur Rəcəbov.jpg
| width2            = 168
| caption2          = [[Teimour Radjabov]] was the 2019 [[Chess World Cup 2019|World Cup]] and three-time European Team Chess champion
}}

Freestyle wrestling has been traditionally regarded as Azerbaijan's [[national sport]], in which Azerbaijan has won [[Azerbaijan at the Olympics|fourteen medals]], including four golds, since joining the [[International Olympic Committee]]. The most popular sports are [[association football|football]] and wrestling.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://report.az/en/individual/named-the-most-popular-kinds-of-sports-in-azerbaijan |title=Named the most popular kinds of sports in Azerbaijan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2 August 2017 |website=report.az|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203041857/https://report.az/en/individual/named-the-most-popular-kinds-of-sports-in-azerbaijan/|archivedate=2024-12-03}}</ref>

The [[Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan]], with 9,122 registered players, is the largest sporting association in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azərbaycanda nə qədər futbolçu var?|url=http://news.milli.az/sport/14802.html|website=news.milli.az|access-date=2014-01-27|language=az|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105308/http://news.milli.az/sport/14802.html|archive-date=2014-02-02|url-status=dead|date=2010-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Football in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=aze/goalprogramme/newsid=520992.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820011028/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=aze/goalprogramme/newsid=520992.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 August 2007|publisher=FIFA|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref> The [[Azerbaijan national football team|national football team]] demonstrates relatively low performance in the international arena compared to the nation football clubs. The most successful clubs are [[Neftçi PFK|Neftçi]], [[Qarabağ FK|Qarabağ]], and [[Gabala FK|Gabala]]. In [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|2012]], Neftchi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a European competition.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:"Нефтчи" стал первым азербайджанским футбольным клубом, вышедшим в групповой этап еврокубков – ФОТО |url=http://www.1news.az/sport/football/20120831010854839.html |website=1news.az |access-date=2012-08-31 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901042323/http://www.1news.az/sport/football/20120831010854839.html |archive-date=2012-09-01|date=2012-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:ЦСКА вылетел из еврокубков|url=https://ru.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0200-0e9d3b21ad5e-17c07b000a77-1000--%D1%86%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B2/|publisher=[[UEFA]] |access-date=30 August 2012|language=ru|date = 30 August 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606052115/https://ru.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0200-0e9d3b21ad5e-17c07b000a77-1000--%D1%86%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B2/|archivedate=2023-06-06}}</ref> In [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League|2014]], Qarabağ became the second Azerbaijani club advancing to the group stage of [[UEFA Europa League]]. In 2017, after beating [[F.C. Copenhagen|Copenhagen]] 2–2 ([[Away goals rule|a]]) in the play-off round of the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]], Qarabağ became the first Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/023c-0e979f84f550-45f1a6c2c7db-1000--liverpool-and-sporting-make-it-as-qarabag-create-history/|title= Liverpool and Sporting make it as Qarabağ create history|date=23 August 2017|publisher=UEFA|access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref>

[[Futsal]] is another popular sport in Azerbaijan. The [[Azerbaijan national futsal team]] reached fourth place in the [[2010 UEFA Futsal Championship]], while domestic club [[Araz Naxçivan]] clinched bronze medals at the [[2009–10 UEFA Futsal Cup]] and [[2013–14 UEFA Futsal Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefafutsalchampionsleague/news/0257-0deea0492494-4832c7e1d360-1000--araz-clinch-third-place-on-penalties/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223085129/http://www.uefa.com/futsalcup/matches/season%3D2010/round%3D2000066/match%3D2002325/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live |archive-date=23 December 2010 |title=Araz clinch third place on penalties |publisher=UEFA |date=25 April 2010 |access-date=25 April 2010 }}</ref> Azerbaijan was the main sponsor of Spanish football club [[Atlético de Madrid]] during seasons 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, a partnership that the club described should 'promote the image of Azerbaijan in the world'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.clubatleticodemadrid.com/noticias/much-more-than-a-sponsorship|title=Azerbaijan: Official Atlético sponsor|publisher=Club Atlético de Madrid|access-date=25 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531231638/http://en.clubatleticodemadrid.com/noticias/much-more-than-a-sponsorship|archive-date=31 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Azerbaijan is one of the traditional powerhouses of world [[chess]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Chess with Luke McShane|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/101021/Chess-with-Luke-McShane|work=Daily Express|date=17 May 2009|access-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> having hosted many international chess tournaments and competitions and became [[European Team Chess Championship]] winners in 2009, 2013 and 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://today.az/news/society/57078.html |title=Azerbaijan's chess team became European champion |publisher=Today.Az |date=31 October 2009 |access-date= 30 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://reports.chessdom.com/news-2009/azerbaijan-russia-win-etcc-novi-sad |title=Azerbaijan, Russia take gold at the European Team Chess Championship |publisher=Chessdom |access-date=30 June 2010 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502095605/http://reports.chessdom.com/news-2009/azerbaijan-russia-win-etcc-novi-sad |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/84_folder/84_articles/84_chess_mammadyarova.html |title=World Chess Champion: Zeynab Mammadyarova |publisher=Azerbaijan International |access-date= 30 June 2010}}</ref> Notable chess players include [[Teimour Radjabov]], [[Shahriyar Mammadyarov]], [[Vladimir Makogonov]], [[Vugar Gashimov]] and former [[World Chess Champion]] [[Garry Kasparov]]. {{As of|2014}}, country's home of [[Shamkir Chess]] a category 22 event and one of the highest rated tournaments of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carlsen beats Nakamura for perfect 2/2 start in the Gashimov Memorial|url=http://www.theweekinchess.com/chessnews/events/vugar-gashimov-memorial-2014/carlsen-beats-nakamura-for-perfect-22-start-in-the-gashimov-memorial|work=The Week in Chess|access-date=2014-04-24|date=2014-04-21|first=Mark|last=Crowther}}</ref> [[Backgammon]] also plays a major role in Azerbaijani culture.<ref>{{cite web| script-title=ru:История нард | publisher = 1-Kalyan| url = http://www.1-kalyan.ru/about/art/backgammon-history/| access-date = 27 May 2007|language=ru}}</ref> The game is very popular in Azerbaijan and is widely played among the local public.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inforing.net/publications/infopress/sport.php?ELEMENT_ID=3348|title=Нарды – игра, требующая сноровки и удачи|website=inforing.net|language=ru|access-date=25 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014085205/http://www.inforing.net/publications/infopress/sport.php?ELEMENT_ID=3348|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are also different variations of backgammon developed and analyzed by Azerbaijani experts.<ref>{{cite web| script-title=ru:История Нард | publisher = Nards| url = http://nards.ru/?categoryID=106|language=ru}}</ref>
[[File:Closing ceremony of the IV Islamic Solidarity Games 15.jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Baku National Stadium]] was used for the first [[European Games]] in June 2015]]
[[Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super League]] placed fourth at the [[2005 Women's European Volleyball Championship|2005 European Championship]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=More than just Mammadova: Azerbaijan's ladies cause World Championship upset|url=http://www.fivb.org/viewPressRelease.asp?No=44180&Language=en|work=fivb.org|access-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> Over the last years, clubs like [[Rabita Baku]] and [[Azerrail Baku]] achieved great success at European cups.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vakıfbank women achieve historic success, winning intercontinental volleyball trophy|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/vakifbank-women-achieve-historic-success-winning-intercontinental-volleyball-trophy.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56196&NewsCatID=367|work=Hürriyet Daily News|access-date=2014-05-08|date=2013-10-13}}</ref> Azerbaijani volleyball players include likes of [[Valeriya Korotenko]], [[Oksana Parkhomenko]], [[Inessa Korkmaz]], [[Natalya Mammadova]], and [[Alla Hasanova]].

Other Azerbaijani athletes are [[Namig Abdullayev]], [[Toghrul Asgarov]], [[Rovshan Bayramov]], [[Sharif Sharifov]], [[Mariya Stadnik]] and [[Farid Mansurov]] in [[Amateur wrestling|wrestling]], [[Nazim Huseynov]], [[Elnur Mammadli]], [[Elkhan Mammadov (judoka)|Elkhan Mammadov]] and [[Rustam Orujov]] in judo, [[Rafael Aghayev]] in karate, [[Magomedrasul Majidov]] and [[Aghasi Mammadov]] in [[boxing]], [[Nizami Pashayev]] in [[Olympic weightlifting]], [[Azad Asgarov]] in [[pankration]], [[Eduard Mammadov]] in kickboxing, and [[K-1]] fighter [[Zabit Samedov]].

Azerbaijan has a [[Baku City Circuit|Formula One racetrack]], constructed in 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racingcircuits.info/asia/azerbaijan/baku.html|title=Baku|website=RacingCircuits.info|access-date=28 October 2018}}</ref> and the country hosted its first [[2016 European Grand Prix|Formula One Grand Prix]] in 2016<ref>{{cite news|title=F1 Will Race in Azerbaijan in 2016 Says Ecclestone|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/07/24/f1-will-race-in-azerbaijan-in-2016-says-ecclestone/|website=Forbes|access-date=2014-07-25|first=Christian|last=Sylt|date=2014-07-24|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726080147/https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/07/24/f1-will-race-in-azerbaijan-in-2016-says-ecclestone/|archivedate=2014-07-26}}</ref> and the [[Azerbaijan Grand Prix]] since 2017. Other annual sporting events held in the country are the [[Baku Cup]] tennis tournament and the [[Tour d'Azerbaïdjan]] cycling race.

Azerbaijan hosted several major sport competitions since the late 2000s, including the [[2013 F1 Powerboat World Championship season|2013 F1 Powerboat World Championship]], [[2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]], [[2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships]], [[2010 European Wrestling Championships]], [[2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships]], [[European Taekwondo Championships|2014 European Taekwondo Championships]], [[2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships]], and [[42nd Chess Olympiad|2016 World Chess Olympiad]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan is a country known for its love of sport and sportsmanship|url=http://www.baku2015.com/en/azerbaijan/sport.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926191539/http://www.baku2015.com/en/azerbaijan/sport.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 September 2013 |website=baku2015.com |access-date=27 January 2014 }}</ref> Baku was selected to host the [[2015 European Games]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Baku 2015 heralds new era in European sports movement|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/10/baku-2015-heralds-new-era-european-sports-movement/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|access-date=2014-01-27|date=2013-12-10}}</ref> Baku hosted the fourth [[Islamic Solidarity Games]] in 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baku2017.com/en|title=Baku 2017|website=www.baku2017.com|access-date=2017-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622015706/https://www.baku2017.com/en|archive-date=2017-06-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurolympic.org/baku-to-host-2019-summer-european-youth-olympic-festival/|title=Baku to host 2019 Summer European Youth Olympic Festival|publisher=[[European Olympic Committees]]|date=2017-01-17|access-date=2018-07-09|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222060004/https://www.eurolympic.org/baku-to-host-2019-summer-european-youth-olympic-festival/|archivedate=2024-12-22}}</ref> and was a host of [[UEFA Euro 2020]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunbar |first=Graham |location=Geneva |url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-turkey-international-soccer-brussels-baku-929f9f53d4ad8892cf35dcbbc9f359b4 |title=Euro 2020 not at risk from UEFA block on Azerbaijan hosting |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref>