Abulfas Garayev

He was talking about the ministry's work at an awards ceremony on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan is to have a pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Garayev said.

He named the USA and Kuwait as two countries where the ministry is actively promoting Azerbaijani culture.

Asked about the awards system, the minister said that it was not possible to present awards to all 60,000 people working in the culture sector in Azerbaijan.

"The very best, whose work stands out, are the ones who receive awards," Garayev said.

He presented the Order of Merit (Şərəf) to film director Eldar Guliyev. Two other recipients of the order were unable to attend in person - artist Togrul Narimanbayov as he is in France, and composer Khayyam Mirzazada on health grounds.

Composer Tofig Bakikhanov received an Honorary Diploma, while actors from Azerbaijan's Russian State Drama Theatre were awarded the honorary titles People's Artist and Honoured Artist.

Awards were also presented to staff of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Eurovision

Abulfas Garayev has every confidence in Azerbaijan's Eurovision contestants Ell & Nikki's, who qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest Final on Tuesday.

“When I was sports minister, I expected us to win all competitions,” he said, then added a note of caution.

“In fact, there is strong competition at the Eurovision Song Contest. I would like to note that our contestants performed well. We hope that they will produce an equally good result."

Tourism

The minister commented at the event that prices for tourist services would be more affordable this summer than last, but declined to be drawn on specifics.

He said that prices would “be decided by the hotels”.

Prices for tourist accommodation are high across the country. As a result, many Azerbaijanis choose to go to Turkey or other destinations where services are cheaper.

1 news.az,  ANS Press