Baku to host Art Weekend festival in 2026

Baku will host the second edition of the “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW” festival from October 30 to November 1, 2026. Led by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union, the three-day event aims to transform the city’s cultural and architectural landmarks into a unified creative platform.

The festival was conceived by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and head of the IDEA Public Union. The 2026 theme focuses on the natural heritage of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan’s “Big Five”: the gazelle, Caucasian leopard, brown bear, grey wolf, and imperial eagle. These animals will serve as artistic symbols to explore nature, mythology, and identity.

Programmed activities will take place across various iconic venues, including the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Icherisheher (Old City), and the National Art Museum. The event will feature Azerbaijani and international artists presenting works in visual art, music, poetry, and immersive technologies. Notable planned contributions include multidisciplinary exhibitions by Aidan Salakhova and works by Michelangelo Pistoletto and Judy Chicago.