Kirkwood Community College students were formally introduced to the small but energetic country of Azerbaijan at the Global Spotlight earlier this month.
Deniz Shahmammadova, tourism and hospitality management major, gave a thorough and informative presentation on her homeland. Azerbaijan is located between the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea and is bordered by Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey.
As with most countries that share a border with Russia, Azerbaijan was once a part of the Soviet Union and gained independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. Since then, Azerbaijan has gone far to both modernize itself and form its own identity, having established itself on the world stage as a prime producer of oil products and natural gas. This has led to a very close association with fire in the culture of Azerbaijan and is aptly reflected in their national emblem, a tongue of flame.
The gem of Azerbaijan’s modernization is the capital city of Baku, with the city boasting many unique buildings new and ancient. A dominating feature of Baku’s skyline is the relatively new Flame Towers. Again, evocative of the country’s fiery spirit, these three-flame shaped towers play host to hotels, offices and apartments. Completed in 2013, the towers are also clad with LED displays, allowing all three to change to a variety of colors.
Another example of Azerbaijan modern aesthetic is the Heydar Aliyev Center. Named for Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s third and most venerated president, the building is an event and exhibition center, containing an auditorium, museum, and art gallery within its mesmerizing curved structure. One of Baku’s older wonders is the Atashgah Fire Temple.
Though over 90% of Azerbaijan’s current population is Muslim, this 17th century temple was constructed by the then-large Zoroastrian following in the region. The temple was home to an “Eternal Flame,” fueled by a surfacing leak of natural gas. Sadly, the flame burnt out in 1962, when the natural gas sourcing ran out. The flame has since been reignited by Baku’s municipal gas system.
Another large portion of Azerbaijani culture is hospitality and the reception of guests. This has also influenced the country on its path of development, and influenced Shahmammadova on her choice of major. “I mentioned that hospitality is very important for us, and for that reason I chose tourism and hospitality. I really like my major,” she said.
While Shahmammadova is studying tourism organization at her home institution, Baku State University, she said she was considering switching her major to continue her path toward tourism and hospitality management. “I would really like to do something with Hospitality Management,” she said. “So maybe I will change my major to hospitality in my country.”
Categories: Art & Life, Global Spotlight
