Ashraf Heybatov is a source of pride for Azerbaijani culture, an artist whose work has long transcended national boundaries and become part of the global cultural dialogue.
A member of the UNESCO International Federation of Artists, the Union of Artists of Russia, and the German Artists Association, a laureate of the international association “Art of the Peoples of the World,” and a United Nations “Ambassador of Peace,” he has exhibited his works at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Palace of Nations, the Council of Europe, the Royal Palace of Jordan, and NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
Today, his private house-museum in Baku serves as a unique space where rare artifacts, artistic treasures, and the master’s own works come together as a living chronicle of his creative journey.
— Mr. Ashraf, welcome to Fortuna magazine! Could you tell us more about your house-museum and collection?
Thank you very much.
Everything displayed here was collected over a lifetime, not just over a few years. Since 1995, I have spent nearly thirty years living in Germany. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Ilham Aliyev for providing me with an apartment in Baku—a gift that I will always cherish.
I never aimed to collect valuable objects for their monetary worth. I have always been drawn to items with aesthetic value: vases, figurines, ceramics, and decorative art. A portion of the income from my paintings was invested in acquiring such pieces.
Over the years, I built a rich collection that includes Italian artworks, Indian and Egyptian artifacts, Greek ceramics, Chinese porcelain, Japanese tableware, and African sculptures. Many of these pieces were gifts from friends and acquaintances around the world.
One of my greatest prides is my collection of “Harlequins,” traditional Italian porcelain dolls. What began as a collection has evolved into a vibrant world representing many cultures.
Visitors often tell me, “This is a real museum; there is nothing quite like it in Azerbaijan.”
In the future, I would like to donate this collection to the state and establish a Museum of World Culture along with an art gallery. I own thousands of works, and this is no longer just a dream—it is a concrete plan.
— You have done a great deal to promote Azerbaijani culture abroad. Could you tell us about that work?
In 1998, the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, paid his first official visit to Germany.
During a meeting with members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, journalist Elmira Akhundova introduced me to him. After a brief conversation, as he was leaving, Heydar Aliyev said to me, “Do not forget Azerbaijan.”
I replied, “Never.”
The following year, in 1999, I founded the Azerbaijani Society in Koblenz. More than fifty compatriots attended the founding meeting, together with Ambassador Huseyn-Aga Sadigov.
As an artist, I have always considered it my mission to represent Azerbaijan through art. At every exhibition, Azerbaijani music is performed, books and informational materials about our country are distributed, and our tricolor flag is proudly displayed.
— Who has supported you in this mission?
I am deeply grateful to Azerbaijani ambassadors and diplomats who have supported my initiatives over the years.
Thanks to the efforts of Elchin Amirbayov, I held an exhibition at the Vatican in 2008. It is quite rare for an artist to be given such an opportunity within such historic surroundings.
I also organized an exhibition at NATO Headquarters in Brussels with the support of Kamil Hasanov.
These examples demonstrate the importance of cultural diplomacy. When diplomacy and culture work together, meaningful results can be achieved.
— When we first interviewed you for Fortuna in 2009, you already had an impressive collection. Today it is even larger. Is it possible to purchase your works?
Most of my professional activities are centered in Germany, particularly in Berlin, and most of my exhibitions take place across Europe.
My plan is gradually to bring my artworks to Baku and add them to the future museum collection. I believe this will be of great interest to both tourists and Azerbaijani visitors.
At present, my paintings can only be acquired when I am personally in Baku. There is very little information about my work online, but in the future we plan to present the collection through Gallery by Art & Creativity Club.
— In your opinion, what is the psychological nature of talent?
First and foremost, talent is a gift from God.
Take Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as an example. Nature gave him extraordinary musical ability, but it was daily discipline and hard work that transformed him into a genius.
Talent is like a seedling. To grow, it requires dedication, perseverance, and patience.
The three great figures who guided me in Azerbaijani art were Sattar Bahlulzade, Toğrul Narimanbeyov, and Tahir Salahov.
Talent never follows a worn path—it always searches for a new one. Genuine creativity cannot be reduced to technique alone; it is born from imagination and the inner world of the artist.
— Could you share a happy moment from your life?
For me, happiness is first and foremost connected to family.
That is why I consider two events to be the greatest blessings of my life: my first marriage to Regina Lvovna in 1981 and the second family that fate granted me through my life with Mehriban Khanum.
Another great source of happiness has been meeting extraordinary people.
I am grateful for my friendship with Chingiz Aitmatov. He was not only a friend but also a moral guide. I often ask myself, “What would Aitmatov have done in my place?”
For me, happiness is also found in human connection.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said:
“The only true luxury is the luxury of human relationships.”
— What is your formula for success?
My formula for success is hard work.
However, hard work alone is not enough. Fate also plays an important role.
I have always appreciated the words of Winston Churchill, who once said:
“I drink not to your health or your parents, but to your luck—may it always be with you.”
Today, good fortune and fortunate circumstances can sometimes be just as important as hard work.
I work constantly and continue to create, yet I believe destiny remains a powerful force in every person’s life.
— Is there anything you regret when looking back on your life?
That is a deeply philosophical question.
My greatest regret is related to monumental art. I studied mosaic under Zurab Tsereteli and always dreamed of creating large-scale works.
However, in this field I managed to complete only a single wall mosaic of about thirty square meters. I had hoped to accomplish much more.
For example, the monumental works of Toğrul Narimanbeyov can be seen in numerous public and cultural institutions. I have not yet been able to realize my own vision on the scale I once imagined.
— What would you wish for yourself today?
I would like to further realize my potential in monumental mosaic art.
My dream is to create a large artistic composition on the walls of a government building.
— And what would you wish for us?
I wish you success and good fortune.
When luck is on a person’s side, health and prosperity often follow. In the end, much in life depends on fortune, and fortune rests in the hands of God.
May God grant you success.
Interview conducted by: Saida Musayeva, Editor-in-Chief of Fortuna magazine.
