An art exhibition contest dedicated to the "26th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy" was held.

With the organizational support of the Youth and Sports Department, the support of the Gabala Cultural Center, Gabala State Picture Gallery and Gabala Art School the art exhibition contest on the topic "Khojaly through children`s eyes" was held at the Gabala Culture Center on February 23, 2018 among children, teenagers and youth. About 60 juvenile and adolescent artists took part in the contest, representing up to 100 works of art. Young people who actively work in various institutions and enterprises of the region, schoolchildren, as well as members of the public attended the event. In the beginning, the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide was honored by the moment of silence. Opening the contest with the introductory words the member of the Art Gallery Tezegul Nesmiyeva greeted the participants, told about the goals and objectives of the event and noted that the event in Khojaly is a tragic page of our history, as well as the genocide not only against the Azerbaijani people, but against all mankind as a whole. Then the authorized representative of the Ismayilli Regional Department of Culture and Tourism over the Gabala region Nargila Gafarova, the Head of the Regional Department of Youth and Sport Fakhri Soltanov, the director of the Gabala Culture Center Malik Aghayev, the director of the Gabala School of Arts Ahmad Gandiyev, noted that the Khojaly genocide is at the same level with the most terrible and cruel tragedies of the 20th century such as Khatyn and Hiroshima, also the recognition of the tragedy in the international arena, as well as first initiative to expose the Armenian fascism are the merits of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. Giving the information about the works presented at the contest, speakers informed that an important feature of holding such art exhibitions is the preservation of our history by such kind of works for centuries, and they also noted that some of the participants will become great artists who will by all means remember this day. After viewing the art exhibition, the awarding ceremony took place. Young artists were wished good luck in their future activities and, according to the regulations of the contest, 1 person was awarded the st place, 2 people the 2nd place, 3 people were awarded the 3rd place, and the other participants were awarded for their active participation. According to the results of the contest, Nargiz Izakharova was awarded the 1st place, Maryam Mammadova and Jamila Dashdiyeva the 2nd place, Amrah Mammadov, Ganira Gafarova and Yusif Bashirov were awarded the 3rd place. The winners were awarded with diplomas and memorable gifts of the Department of Youth and Sports and with the certificates of the Gabala Culture Center and the Gabala Art School.