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Laman Ismayilova

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Azerbaijan's acclaimed artist Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova has been honored with Artist of the Year 2025 International Award in Florence, Italy.

As the artist told AZERNEWS, she received this distinguished recognition for her painting "Baron Munchausen".

"Munchausen is my ancestor on my father's side. His mother held the title of Baroness von Rosen. My grandfather, who was already half German, married Baroness von Rosen. The Rosens and the Munchausens were very close and lived in Riga at almost the same time. These families belonged to the Baltic Germans who settled in Russia during the time of Peter the Great. The men in these families usually had a military profession as their first career, and a civil or social profession as their second, with many being artists, architects, and representatives of other professions.

"One day, while reading aloud The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe, my grandfather told me that he was indeed our ancestor. I was certain that this name belonged to a fictional character, so I asked him for clarification. He confidently replied that the Baron was a real person and that Raspe had created his book based on numerous stories about him. As time passed, I occasionally began to feel strange, vivid changes within myself, and jokingly thought, The Baron must be visiting me," Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova said.

"Recently, I even dreamt of him. In the dream, we conversed, and suddenly, with a wink, he asked, "Why don't you have my likeness?" I woke up in amazement. I would say that he was not just a dreamer; his fantasy was far more profound than is commonly understood. He was a love-struck visionary who embodied his dreams in reality because he never doubted their existence. This was, if you will, his way of life. Moreover, he was a military man who excelled in his field, distinguished by his bravery and heroism, and he was a masterful storyteller.

Thanks to this gift, his stories have endured through the ages. Even though people affectionately called him a liar or a fantasist, they listened with rapt attention and endlessly retold his tales. He was both, yet always great! And that is what makes him remarkable. This is a brief story about my painting. Indeed, the call of the ancestors is a powerful presence!," the artist concluded.

Note that a special jury selected a limited number of artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity throughout this year, which is still ongoing. It is worth noting that some of the talented nominees are eagerly awaiting their well-deserved acclaim.

The award ceremony recognized artists across various categories, including painters, sculptors, photographers, digital artists, and stylists.

The event took place in the heart of historic Florence, at Palazzo Pucci, which belongs to one of the oldest Florentine families dating back to the era of Medici.

The award ceremony took place on January 25, 2025,in the magnificent Apollo Hall of Palazzo Pucci, decorated with paintings and frescoes. The ceremony was attended by collectors, journalists, politicians and art connoisseurs.

A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the inaugural issue of the catalogue "MASTER ARTIST FOR COLLECTION," a new editorial initiative dedicated to showcasing the most distinguished contemporary artists. The catalogue demonstrates fascinating artworks by international artists that are available for collection.

Each nominee for the International Prize "ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2025" also received a precious personalized prize.

Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, into a family with a rich artistic legacy. Her great-grandfather was a famous Russian artist Ivan Ivanovich Sokolov.

She pursued her education in the visual arts at the art and graphic faculty of Kuban University and the Academy of Arts named after Repin in St. Petersburg.

Currently, Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova is a member of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, the UNESCO International Federation of Artists, and the International Art Fund of the Russian Academy of Arts. She serves as Vice-President of the International Foundation for Aesthetic Development and is also a member of the International Association of Artists.

In 1994-1995, she lived and worked in the U.S., specifically in Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. Since 1995, she has resided in the city of Cologne, Germany.

Her exhibitions are held with great success in many countries. Margarita Kerimova-Sokolova has participated in exhibitions in a diverse array of countries, including Germany, Italy, France, the United States, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, etc.

The artist received numerous awards for her art, including Phoenix Award, Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts, Arts-Sciences-Lettres Award, International Prize Velazquez and Goya.