It was very sad to part, but alas, the next meeting of the FOOD ART congress club took place – a new journey with the cultural and gastronomic club “The Art of Food”. This time, the virtual route of the trip went through the countries of Transcaucasia.
The theme of the evening was named by the curators of the Club:
“The Caucasus. Remembering the future”
The Caucasus is a cultural crossroads where Europe meets Asia, and the future is intertwined with the past. The three components of the Caucasus – Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia – are an amazing world at the junction of continents: a cauldron of original cultures, the fascinating nature of snowy mountains and fertile valleys, the unique architectural skill of medieval masons, expressive Soviet modernism and impressive modern solutions by world-renowned architects.
Each country of Transcaucasia has its own vivid image, its own history, its own cuisine, its own modern flavor.
Together with the leaders of the Club, we will walk around the capital of Azerbaijan – Baku, where the past meets the future face to face. The modern architecture of the city is not inferior in beauty to the historical buildings of the Icheri-Sheher district and has great cultural value. The tongues of the three glass skyscrapers of the Flame Towers compete in expressiveness with the ancient Maiden Tower, and the magnificent forms of the Shirvanshahs’ palace compete in the pomp and luxury of the newly rebuilt Bibi-Eibat Mosque. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in modern Baku – the Heydar Aliyev Center, an incredibly beautiful exhibition hall designed by world architecture star Zaha Hadid and recognized in 2014 as the “Building of the Year” of the Design of the Year award.
We will visit the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi, where antiquity and modernity, luxury and everyday life, unique mansions and typical Soviet buildings are bizarrely combined. Let’s study another expressive style in Georgian architecture – Soviet modernism, indulge in memories of the welcoming Black Sea resort and see how the city changed, turning into a capital made of glass, with skyscrapers, interesting architectural solutions and even an inverted building.
Let’s look into Armenia and see how, adjacent to the churches of the 13th century, the original modernist architecture of the 60-80s of the last century became the most important component of the cultural identity of the country and, first of all, its capital Yerevan, which is 29 years older than Rome. Buildings in the style of alien objects, a tube subway, a 300-meter concrete fence in the shape of a ribbon and a cinema similar to a spaceship amaze with the unusual shapes, smooth lines and boldness of the design decisions of Armenian architects of the Soviet period. Many architectural curiosities today can be seen only in archival photographs. Modernity rises above the past, literally growing through the long history of the city.
Our view of modernity through the prism of the past or the memory of the future of the Caucasus will be accompanied by a dinner from the brand chief of the WTC according to all the rules of Caucasian hospitality. Nostalgic flair, authentic classics on the menu and an excursion into the history of national cuisine will complement the picture of the impressions of the evening.
Mikhail Davydovich, thank you for the positive communication and thank you for the friendly feedback!
“Frankly, until recently, I was not noted for my penchant for blogging, although I am present in social networks and the concept of reposting is categorically familiar to me.
At the same time, I made a “difficult” decision for myself to make an exception and express a number of considerations about the event, which, by the will of fate and the invitation of the wonderful Ekaterina Chugunova, I was lucky enough to become a participant in!
In my opinion, the atmosphere of a beautiful and friendly presentation of a wonderful new about the eternal, in combination with an amazing delicious sensuality, which is created by the soulful attitude of each of the organizers creates a unique energy synergy of kindness and mutual understanding!
Right now, at the stage of tectonic changes in society and in the world, to come up with such an initiative and beautifully, with a truly Caucasian friendly feast and gentle humor, to make each guest a participant in the magical scenario of learning the beauty of architecture in a territory that is always sacrally close and dear to us – this, in my opinion, is not just an initiative, but a wise foresight!
From the bottom of my heart, I express my sincere gratitude for the minutes of new knowledge, joyful communication and wonderful delicious cooking of wonderful dishes of the Caucasus to the wonderful Ekaterina and Alexander Chugunov, Addis Hajiyev and Mikhail Kuznetsov! ”
Sincerely yours, M. D. Singer, Member of the Coordinating Council of the BRICS Health Coalition. Co-Chairman of the GRP Healthcare BRICS of the Russian national part of the BRICS CCDS. Chairman of the Committee on Healthy Lifestyle and Active Longevity of the Assembly of Peoples of Russia.
As always in the program of the ART OF FOOD Club:
Cultural immersion – a creative conversation on a given topic with the leading experts of the Art of Food Club
Taste immersion – author’s master class from the brand chief of the WTC Mikhail Kuznetsov with tasting
Friendly atmosphere, live communication
Club meetings are thematic presentations on the world of art and architecture, gastronomic research on famous haute couture recipes, as well as an author’s master class and tasting from the brand chief of the WTC Mikhail Kuznetsov.
Club hosts:
Alexander Chugunov is the curator of the cultural and educational programs of the Congress, the leading author of courses at the Higher School of Environmental Design of the Moscow Architectural Institute (MARHI), director of the Architect Agency for International Cooperation and author of travel programs on architecture in more than 50 countries of Europe, Asia, America and Africa
Mikhail Kuznetsov is the brand chef of the Moscow International Trade Center, an international chef, culinary adviser to the Moscow branch of the World Guild of Gastronomists Chaîne des Rôtisseur, which unites professionals and lovers of restaurant and culinary art in more than 70 countries of the world
Addis Hajiyev (moderator) – Vice-President of the Guild of Film and TV Artists of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, head of the art programs of the Moscow School of Cinema, author of the blog “Delicious Meetings with Addis” and curator of the Congress program “Cinema Architecture”
The events are held in the format of a Congress club in an atmosphere of lively friendly communication.
Organizers of the event: WTC of Moscow, Architect Agency
Partner program of the International ArcHcongress
