Friday Wrap-up: ceasefire, kindergarten admissions and Baku Short Film Festival
Published: 19 November 2021 15:29
The week of 15-19 November saw a new ceasefire in the Karabakh region, irregular procedures for kindergarten enrollment and the 12th Baku Short Film Festival.
Ceasefire declared at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border
After a week of conflicts and provocations, with fatalities for both sides, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed upon a ceasefire arrangement. The conversation between representatives of both countries was once again intermediated by Russia.
Clashes between both countries were reported from Shusha and Lachin, located strategically in territories under control of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region. The international community received the events with apprehension.
These were considered major disputes after the previously reached ceasefire, which was negotiated after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Complaints about enrolling children in Baku’s kindergartens
Parents report that they had to pay money to directors and managers of public kindergartens in Baku to secure a place for their children. The amount to be paid is almost equivalent to a monthly fee at a private kindergarten.
Due to the pandemic, it is not possible to take more than 20 children in one class. In addition, there is also more demand for Russian-speaking kindergartens and for proximity to the city center. Because of this limitation and parents’ preference, the enrollment process has become unlawful.
As a solution, education expert Kamran Asadov told Meydan TV that, in order to avoid such problems, the process of admitting children to kindergartens should be carried out electronically.
12th edition of the Baku Short Film Festival starts today
According to a press release issued by the organizing committee of the festival, the opening ceremony will be held on November 19 at the Nizami Cinema Center.
3217 short films from 72 countries were sent to the festival, which will last until November 23. 82 of them were submitted to the local competition.
This year, for the first time, the festival will present the Golden Pomegranate Award to outstanding Azerbaijani films. The award ceremony will take place on November 23.
The festival, established by the CINEMA Center for Young Cinematographers, is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.