Baku: The Swedish photographer and filmmaker Mikael Silkeberg has made significant contributions to conveying accurate information about the Karabakh conflict to an international audience, acting as a genuine voice for Azerbaijan.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Guivami Rahimli, PhD, Professor at Baku State University and former president of the Azerbaijan-Norway Friendship Society, shared his insights with AZERTAC on promoting Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage globally.
Mikael Silkeberg’s recent visit to Baku demonstrated his deep connection to Azerbaijan’s land, music, and cultural heritage. His program commenced on December 3 with a meeting with Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During a warm conversation, Mikael spoke about his journey with Azerbaijan, from his initial steps in Shusha in 2021 to filming in Nakhchivan and Baku, and participation in conferences on Western Azerbaijan. The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation for Mikael’s dedication to sharing Azerbaijan’s stories with the world. They also explored future collaborations between cultural institutions and Nordic partners, focusing on intangible heritage.
On December 4, Mikael appeared as a guest on ANewZ TV, hosted by Dilek Tuna, discussing his films, visual style, and experiences in Karabakh and Nakhchivan. The same evening, his latest film, ‘A Story About Folkjazz From West to East,’ was screened at the Nizami Cinema Center, organized by the Ministry of Culture. The documentary explores the cultural exchange between Swedish pianist Jan Johansson and Azerbaijani musician Vagif Mustafazadeh, highlighting jazz-mugham’s role in Azerbaijan’s cultural dialogue with the world.
On December 5, Mikael participated in the III International Conference on ‘Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return’ in Baku, organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community. In Panel III, he emphasized his unique position as a Nordic participant and friend of Azerbaijan. He recalled his visits to liberated territories, including Shusha, where the Khari Bulbul flower inspired his first film about Azerbaijan. His documentaries, including ‘The Legend of Khari Bulbul,’ ‘The Odin Code,’ and ‘Footsteps of Noah,’ showcase Azerbaijan’s cultural and historical richness.
Mikael linked his films to cultural heritage protection and the human right to tell one’s story on ancestral land. He expressed sorrow over the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural monuments in Armenia and emphasized the need for rebuilding trust to achieve lasting peace in the South Caucasus. Mikael concluded by expressing hope to film vibrant communities in their native lands, not just ruins.
For Guivami Rahimli, Mikael’s understanding of Azerbaijan’s history, music, and aspirations is deeply encouraging. Mikael views Azerbaijan not as an exotic distant land but as an equal partner in a rich cultural exchange between East and West.