National Cinema Day of Azerbaijan

National Cinema Day - August 2National Cinema Day - August 2, was established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev of December 18, 2000.

This date was not chosen by chance. The fact is that the history of Russian cinema does not begin with 1916, when the film “In the Power of Oil and Millions” appeared on the screen, but much earlier.

Although many people used to consider this event the beginning of the era of cinema in Azerbaijan, the first “moving pictures” flashed on the screens of the country in 1898.

Then, just two years after the invention of this art form by the Lumiere brothers, their “improved cinema” appeared in Baku.

The first public film screening took place on August 2. It was organized by photographer A. M. Michonne. He made films from the life of his native Baku, among which can be called “Fire on Bibi-Eybat”, “Oil fountain in the Balakhany-Sabunchu industry”, “Caucasian dance” and others.