Azerbaijan, Baku, Old City, Shirvanshah’s Palace, April 24, 2012 Dancers from the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre perform a dance inside the Shirvanshah’s palace for a film. The Palace was built as a residence for the Shahs (Kings) in the 15th century when Shamakhi was abandoned as the capital of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, South of Baku, 
Sufi Hamid Cemetery, August 10, 2013 An Azerbaijani painter visits the Sufi Hamid cemetery. The Azerbaijani people believe that this old cemetery was created when Sufi Hamid, a14th century Arabian merchant, was visiting the region and fell sick. He decided he would be buried wherever his camel came to rest. Many researchers consider Sufi Hamid Cemetery as one of the most original graveyards, not just in Azerbaijan but anywhere in the world. The practice of choosing meaningful symbols to represent one’s life, carving them on gravestones and painting them in pastel colors seems to be extremely rare.

Azerbaijan, Gobustan, Gobustan State Artistic and Historical Preserve, June 1, 2013 In collaboration with the 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, an open-air performance of “The Shadows of Gobustan” ballet was presented by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Composed by Faraj Garayev and first performed in 1969, the ballet (dance movements and costumes) is inspired by Gobustan’s ancient rock art engravings, some of which date back 40,000 years. It uses the prehistoric dawn of mankind as a premise for creating dialogue between extremely different groups of people and later building a human collective to ensure their survival.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Heydar Aliyev Palace (former Lenin Palace), 1988 Dancers prepare to go on stage to perform a ballet in the Heydar Aliyev Palace.

Azerbaijan, Masalli, Hishkedere Village School, May 31, 2011 An Azerbaijani girl at her school’s end-of-year party. The celebration includes traditional dancing, singing and food. Parents, students and faculty all come together for this festive event.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Absheron Peninsula, Gala Village, March 20, 2012 Gala is an ancient village with the oldest residential settlement in the Absheron Peninsula on the eastern coast of Azerbaijan, which dates back to the 3rd century B.C. An Azerbaijani boy has the Azerbaijani flag painted on his cheek for the Novruz celebration. The history of Novruz in Azerbaijan – the spring holiday that celebrates the revival of nature, 
moral purity and equality – goes back millennia. The holiday is officially registered on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Old City, Karvansaray, March 22, 2012 A boy dressed in a traditional folklore costume for a film that is documenting the Novruz ceremonies. The history of Novruz in Azerbaijan – the spring holiday that celebrates the revival of nature, moral purity and equality – goes back millennia. 
The holiday is officially registered on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

France, Paris, The Wall for Peace, February 23, 2014 The "Justice for Khojaly, Freedom for Karabakh" International Awareness Campaign was launched on May 8, 2008 by Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, General Coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation. Pictured here is a young participant holding the Azerbaijani flag at an event in Paris to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre.

Azerbaijan, Sheki, March 31, 2012 The Azerbaijani National Chovgan team competes in a town on the outskirts of the Sheki region in northern Azerbaijan. Chovgan is an ancient sport and an early version of modern-day polo. In Azerbaijan, Chovgan players ride fabled and rare Karabakh horses, known for their compact bodies, strength, speed and endurance. To preserve this ancient tradition in Azerbaijan, teams participate in the Chovgan Presidential Cup that has been held over the last ten days of December since 2006. 
The Azerbaijani game of Chovgan was included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2013.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Alley of Martyrs, 
April 19, 2012 One of the illuminated glass flame towers glows at night behind the Turkish Mosque, also known as the Mosque of the Martyrs. Inspired by Azerbaijan’s history of fire worship, the glass high-rises are 
the tallest skyscrapers in Baku.

Azerbaijan, Shirvan, Ismayilli Region, Lahij, April 17, 2012 In his shop, a coppersmith heats and pounds copper to make a plate. Lahij is the old center for craftsmanship in Azerbaijan. Copper work has historically been the main source of income and the most popular profession in Lahij. In the mid-19th century, there were over 200 workshops in the village, which became the center of copper and arms production in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, this remote mountain village of about 2,000 residents has preserved their traditional way of life as well as the Lahiji language that is only spoken.

Azerbaijan, Lerik, Kekonu Village, Kalexan Cemetery, June 3, 2011 The remains of gravestones dating back thousands of years on the top of the Talysh Mountains.

Azerbaijan, Ganjabasar, Mingechevir, Kur River, April 1, 2012 Mingechevir is currently home to the Kur Olympic rowing base.

Azerbaijan, Guba, Khinalig Village, May 7, 2012 The Khinalig River, located on a summit in 
the Caucasus Mountains, seen through a window of a family’s home. The northern village is referred to as “an island in the mountain” since it is the highest and most remote village in Azerbaijan. The village dates back at least 5,000 years and 
has remained virtually unchanged. The population of approximately 1,200 people belongs to the Kettidt minority. They have preserved their unique language (Kettish).

Azerbaijan, Lerik District, June 1, 2011 Farmers work in the fields to prepare the land for cultivation. The tilled land forms swirling patterns in the grass. The spiral expands as the men work together in synchronized movements.

Azerbaijan, Guba to Baku, Rest Stop, May 6, 2012 A rest stop on the road from Guba to Baku sells carpets. Carpets have played an important role in Azerbaijani culture since ancient times.

Azerbaijan, Ismayilli District, Ivanovka Village, May 18, 2013 Molokan men sitting next to a small lake drinking tea. The Molokans, known as “milk (moloko) drinkers,” are Christian Russians who refused to adhere to the fasting and rituals of the Russian Orthodox Church. After being expelled from Russia, they have struggled to preserve their 400-year-old way of life in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral, May 4, 2013 A woman from the Orthodox Christian community lights candles at the Easter Vigil. The Orthodox Church holds an Easter Vigil at sundown where a Paschal candle is illuminated by a sacred flame. The candle is passed around so that all the participants can light their own candles. 
The growing light symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world. In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church was fully restored and became a Cathedral a year later.

Azerbaijan, Gakh District, 
Kurmuk Church, May 6, 2013 A young woman’s face reflects the soft glow of candlelight as she prays and honors the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon. This holiday is celebrated by Muslims and Christians alike. 
In Azerbaijan’s northern district bordering Georgia, the ancient Caucasian-Albanian Church accepts both Azerbaijani Muslims and Christian Georgians. These two very different religious communities come together as one to celebrate what they call 
the Kurmukoba festival.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral, May 4, 2013 Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral. In 2000, the church was fully restored and became a Cathedral a year later. On the Saturday night before Easter Sunday, all of the candles in the cathedral are extinguished to represent the death of Christ. When the sun sets on Holy Saturday, the Easter Sunday celebration begins. The Orthodox Church holds an Easter Vigil at sundown where a Paschal candle is illuminated by a sacred flame. The candle is passed around so that everyone can light the candles they are holding. The growing light symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world.

Azerbaijan, Ismayilli Region, 
Ivanovka Village, May 19, 2013 At a Sunday sobraniye or service, the Molokan pastor leads the traditional prayer. Their prayer house has no icons or ornaments because they believe in worshipping the invisible God. 
The Molokans, known as “milk (moloko) drinkers,” are Christian Russians who refused to adhere to the fasts and rituals of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1550s. After being expelled from Russia, they settled in Azerbaijan. Ivanovka village is home to the largest group of Molokans in the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 20, 2013 During a Bar Mitzvah, the Torah is held up to the congregation. The men wear tefillin, two small leather boxes attached to leather straps. One is worn on the head and the other is wrapped around the left arm. The two leather boxes contain scrolls of parchment inscribed with sections from the Torah. In the orthodox tradition, women sit separately from the men, here in a balcony.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Shuvelan, Mir Movsum Agha Sanctuary, August 9, 2013 On the last day of Ramadan, known as “Eid al-Fitr”, Muslim men recite the special Islamic prayer (salat) led by an Imam.

Azerbaijan, Sheki, Karabakh Memorial, March 23, 2011 As a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh war, all major cities in Azerbaijan have memorials and cemeteries for 
the Martyrs from Karabakh. Pictured is a statue of a woman in despair.

Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Agdam, February 1992 A woman has just found the bodies 
of her son and husband. According to the doctor who was helping her in her search, their eyes had been torn out while they were still alive.

Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Agdam, February 1992 A survivor of the massacre of Khojaly clutches a photograph of his missing son, asking people if they have seen him.

Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Agdam, February 1992 A survivor of the massacre of Khojaly clutches a photograph of his missing son, asking people if they have seen him.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Alley of Martyrs, January 26, 1990 A woman collapses during her sonís funeral after he was killed during the January 20, 1990 massacre known as Black January.

Azerbaijan, Aghdam, March 1992 An Azerbaijani prisoner captive by Armenian forces, is reunited with his family after being exchanged by Armenian prisoners.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Alley of Martyrs, January 26, 1990 At the mass funeral following the January 20, 1990 massacre in Baku, mourning nation created a carpet of red carnations to honor the fallen.

Azerbaijan, Baku, January 1990 In the days following the January 20, 1990 massacre in Baku, the cityí's streets and martyrsí' graves were covered in red carnations.

Azerbaijan, Guba, Guba massacre Memorial Complex, March 26, 2013 The Guba massacre mass burial site was discovered on April 1, 2007. The staff of the Archeology and Ethnography Institute of Azerbaijanís National Academy of Sciences found the remains of more than 400 people. More than 50 of them were children, 100 were women, the rest were elderly men. The victims were ethnic Azerbaijanis, Lezgis, Jews, and Tats and were reportedly killed by Armenian militia in March 1918 during a house-to-house ethnic cleansing campaign 
in the nearby villages. In 2013, 
the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, inaugurated the Guba massacre Memorial Complex on the site of the mass graves to commemorate this tragedy. The walls of the mass graves with protruding bones are lined with red carnations.

Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Shusha, 1992 During the siege, most of the city of Susha was destroyed by artillery fire so the Azerbaijani soldiers used the school in the city as their living quarters.

Azerbaijan, Road between Khojaly and Agdam, March 1992 After the Khojaly massacre, the International Red Cross organized a local cease-fire to allow both sides to exchange prisoners and allow the Red Cross to return the corpses of Azerbaijanis killed in Khojaly to the people who had survived the massacre and taken refuge in the neighboring town of Agdam.

Azerbaijan, Karabakh, Agdam, February 1992 After finding the dead bodies of her relatives inside the morgue, a survivor of Khojaly massacre mourns while she waits to prepare the bodies for burial.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Bayil Settlement, 1997 The brothers Tabriz and Jeyhun play 
in a former oil workersí neighborhood in the refugee-filled hinterlands of Baku. The abandoned oil field has been taken over by refugees who squat on the land that was once bustling with activity during the Soviet Union. Tabriz and Jeyhun were forced to leave their village in Karabakh when 
their house was destroyed by Armenian soldiers. Their father Mahmud found an abandoned cabin on an oil field for the family to take shelter in.

Azerbaijan, Baku, 1997 Like most of the refugees and IDPs in Baku, Farhad and his family were forced to flee from their home in Karabakh when Armenian soldiers came to their door. In his previous life, Farhad had been a teacher and later a high school principal.

Azerbaijan, Baku, Bayil Settlement, 1997 "Nothing grows here," says a refugee bitterly, looking round her failed garden at the abandoned oil field of Baku. "Everything rots, everything dies." She used to live in a village in Zangilan.