On August 30, the premiere of the film “The Taste Story of the Land”, dedicated to Western Azerbaijan, was held at the Cultural and Historical Heritage Research Foundation.
According to “Tehsil365”, the film was produced within the framework of a project by the Public Union for the “Research, Promotion and Global Integration of Azerbaijani National Cuisine,” with financial support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event began with the National Anthem, followed by a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of our lands.
The screenwriter of the film, Honored Journalist Firuza Nadir, noted that “The Taste Story of the Land” tells the story of a family from Western Azerbaijan and reflects the preserved traditions, spiritual values, national cuisine, and above all, the longing to return to their native land. The main aim of the project is to explore, promote, and present the richness and uniqueness of Western Azerbaijani cuisine, which is an inseparable part of our national culinary heritage.
According to the project leader, Kenan Qılıncxanov, the film consists of three thematic parts: homeland, taste, and memory. Each protagonist is a bearer of that memory, and even the music heard in the film is a voice of remembrance. This memory and this voice also strengthen their belief in returning to their homeland. Kenan Qılıncxanov expressed his gratitude to the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations for supporting such a relevant project.
The guests then watched the documentary “The Taste Story of the Land.”
The film presents a narrative about the unique cuisine of Western Azerbaijan. The elderly members of the family share ancient recipes, and their recollections shed light on the distinct features of Western Azerbaijani cuisine, its transmission through generations, and the hospitality of our people. The documentary also features interesting episodes showing the joint preparation of meals, family gatherings, and shared moments around the dining table.
The idea of returning to Western Azerbaijan runs like a red thread throughout the film. The great Victory in the Karabakh war has opened the way for this return, and the film conveys confidence that this path will indeed be taken. The documentary concludes with the words of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, during his meeting with a group of intellectuals from Western Azerbaijan on December 24, 2022:
“I am confident that the day will come when our compatriots from Western Azerbaijan, their relatives, children, and grandchildren will return to our historical land, Western Azerbaijan. I am certain that this day will come, and I am sure that Western Azerbaijanis will return with great enthusiasm to live on their ancestral lands. There are many factors that give us reason to say this, and perhaps the most important of them is our people’s historical memory… The land always calls.”
After the screening, Honored Journalist Yunis Orucov shared his impressions of the film.
Perviz Amirov, head of the Cultural and Historical Heritage Research Foundation, along with other speakers, emphasized the great importance of the documentary in promoting our national values.