stirworld.com – At the Venice Biennale 2025, four inaugural pavilions herald community and heritage

(Republic of) Azerbaijan Pavilion

Campo della Tana, Castello

The participation signifies a collective achievement, uniting architects, designers, and citizens in a shared vision of progress and cultural expression.– Nigar Gardashkhanova

Commissioned by Ambassador Rashad Aslanov, who plays a pivotal role in strengthening the relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, the pavilion’s exhibition Equilibrium. Patterns of Azerbaijan. is informed by the Biennale’s core theme and promotes innovative design practices amidst the escalating climate crisis. “Upon deeper reflection, the Azerbaijan Pavilion is a manifestation of the collective efforts of multiple generations,” curator Nigar Gardashkhanova tells STIR. “While its physical realisation occurred in the present, its essence was conceived centuries ago,” she continues. The pavilion is unveiled as an expansive showcase of projects and architecture, at large, that are at the same time significant for the nation, as well as representative of its multifariousness, including the Baku White City Project by Azerbaijan Development Company (ADEC), Victory Park by Simmetrico Architettura and Adalat Mammadov’s Zangilan Mosque that embody the theme, Regenerate. Innovate. Preserve.

Our pavilion disrupts traditional architectural narratives by integrating cultural symbolism with modern design principles.– Nigar Gardashkhanova

A project manager and an art expert by profession, Gardashkhanova curates art and design projects, exhibitions and installations, several of which explore the country’s rich history. For the pavilion, she draws on her collaborations with renowned sculptors and artists and her years of curatorial experience and knowledge on Azerbaijani architecture. “It challenges the notion of innovation by demonstrating that honouring history and heritage can coexist with forward-thinking design,” the curator tells STIR. “In doing so, it adds depth to the Biennale's discourse, presenting a model where architecture serves as a bridge between the past and the future, fostering a collective intelligence rooted in cultural continuity."

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