The winter months may not have the attraction of sun-splashed summers by the Caspian Sea, but the next three months still hold plenty of promise for visitors in and around Baku, with a blend of cultural and sporting activities. Whether you are going on business or leisure or a little of both, here are some ideas from the Baku team
Four Seasons Festivities
This festive season, head to the lobby of The Four Seasons in Baku which has been decorated by Cartier. As you enter the hotel, you will see the installation adorned by the iconic Cartier red boxes and experience events and offerings by the hotel. Also looking to celebrate the New Year, the Four Seasons are hosting a celebration to ring in 2023 and a ‘Sparkling Brunch’ on the first day of the year.
The Cartier Installation runs until 15th January 2023. www.fourseasons.com/baku
‘Make Yourself at Home’ Art Show at Tardino 6 Art Platform
This group art show presented by Tardino 6 Art Platform invites Azerbaijani and German female artists to explore the curatorial theme, ‘Make Yourself At Home’ celebrating the meaning of hospitality and defining the home. The artists, Tora Aghabayova, Shahnaz Aghayeva, Irina Eldarova, Rita Geissler, Mirjam Kroker, Hanne Lange, Leyla Rzayeva, Shalala Salamzadeh, Lisa Wölfel, form part of a collaborative group called ‘The Assembly of Friendship’ and have participated in a two-week residency exchange programme between Azerbaijan and Germany.
The show runs until 14th January 2023. tardino6.art/Make-Yourself-At-Home
‘SafeZone’, Art Show at Yarat Contemporary Art Space
Drawn from Foucault’s lecture ‘Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias’, this group show brings together contemporary emerging artists Lali Binyatova, Nadir Eminov, Islam Hasanalizade, Katya Igoshina, Parviz Kazimli, Leylakhanim Ganbarli, Ilkin Guliyev, Maxim Tatarintsev. The show bids to ‘find an anchor in the current crises; and explore the concept of home and shelter.
The show runs until 5th February 2023. www.yarat.az
A Trip to the New Carol Joy Spa at Fairmont Baku
Located in the Flame Towers, the new Carol Joy Spa is open. London based skin care and spa brand Carol Joy’s treatments are now available, using materials such as diamond dust and botanical actives. Complete with private suits, vitality pools, sauna and steam rooms, this Spa is one of the biggest in Azerbaijan, at over 3,500 sq metres.
The spa is open from 7am – 10pm daily. www.fairmont.com/baku/spa/carol-joy-spa-baku/
Maiden Tower International Art Festival
During March, international artists will re-imagine models of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Maiden Tower in Icherisheher, with artwork in their national style, reflecting their own diverse cultures and traditions.
The art festival will take place during March 2023. icherisheher.gov.az/en/181-projects
Azerbaijan International Auto Show
During May, the Autoshow is expected to present over 100 companies from over 14 countries, including automotive industry experts and models from Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volkswagen amongst others. This will be an opportunity for visitors to see the latest models, learn about trends in the global automotive industry, and look at future technologies.
The Auto Show will take place during May 2023. bakuexpocenter.az/en/
‘Metacode’, Art Show at The Museum of Azerbaijani Painting
Covering the works of twenty Azerbaijani artists over the years, this art exhibition shows abstract works, looking at how objects in our daily lives have been observed and hoping to reveal the cultural codes of Azerbaijan. Artists from the Soviet School’s Perestroika period are placed in dialogue with contemporary artists.
The show will run until 30 April 2023. www.yarat.az/index.php?lang=en&page=4&yrtMaincatID=12
A Ski Trip with The Shahdag Hotel & Spa
High up in the Caucasus Mountains, a couple of hours from the city, you will find Shahdag Mountain Resort and Spa with its 19 runs. Winter skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile tours and hiking during the winter season are now all on offer with both Park Chalet and Pik Palace, with the added benefit of direct lift access from your accommodation.
Written by: Charlotte Leseberg Smith
Online Editor: Candice Tucker
