Aworanka partners Friends of Azerbaijan to promote art, culture

The online African marketplace for arts and advisory, Aworanka, has partnered with Friends of Azerbaijan, a Nigerian non-profit organisation, to promote social and cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and Africa, putting special emphasis on the art industry of Nigeria.

Ana Acha, founder of Aworanka, and Billura Bayramova-Bernard, founder and president of Friends of Azerbaijan, signed the agreement, which has taken effect in Lagos.

The MoU is focused on promoting four different types of cultural exchanges that can stimulate intercultural dialogue. These four pillars include the exchange of specialists, the organisation of art exhibitions, cooperation in terms of art media coverage and the promotion of artistic events that can contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

“International art exchanges increase creativity and contribute to creating a genuine and diverse environment, where artists can collaborate,” Acha said. “Our objective is to offer opportunities that create responsible citizenry and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.”

Bayramova added, “communities that collaborate artistically breed positive social interaction and innovation.” Friends of Azerbaijan is a social network of real friends of Azerbaijan in Nigeria involved in interactions, dialogues and debates that promote the exchange of ideas and cultures in an environment that encourages interfaith religious harmony.

This MoU will further expand their involvement in the art fields, especially painting, sculpture, drawing and design. An online marketplace to acquire African art, Aworanka is also a platform that cultivates knowledge by giving universal access to African art information that before was segregated and was arduous to find. In terms of exhibitions, its debut show held in October 2021 with an exhibition, titled, Framing Her, featuring 83 artworks from 19 artists.

The sophomore art show, Eve, which features 77 works by 15 women artists from five different countries, opened in February. It is still on display at the GAIA House in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The MoU signed with Friends of Azerbaijan will further facilitate the diversity of artists in future exhibitions.