On March 31, Zaha Hadid, perhaps the world’s pre-eminent female architect, passed away in Miami.
The 65-year-old, who was the first woman ever to be awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize for Architecture, was known for her curvaceous buildings, which included the London Aquatics Centre and the Guangzhou Opera House.
As tributes roll in from around the world, Samra — Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2016 singer — is paying tribute in her own way, by featuring Hadid’s stunning Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in her Eurovision postcard.
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Samra, who will film her postcard on April 9 and 10, chose the locations for her shoot several weeks ago, and SVT agreed that Hadid’s building should feature as the main location.
The “Miracle” singer has always admired the building, but Hadid’s passing added a poignancy to her existing interest.
“I learned about Zaha’s death this morning,” she said in a statement sent to wiwibloggs. “It’s very sad. She was the most powerful and inspirational female architect in the world. I loved her.”
“I absolutely adore the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in my native Baku. I used to go there during sunsets when I could. I’m proud that we can honour her legacy in our Eurovision postcard.”
Hadid won the commission for the building in 2007 following an international competition and the building has quickly become a source of pride and inspiration for visitors to Baku.
In 2014, Hadid received the London Design Museum award for the building, with one member of the jury describing it “as pure and sexy as Marilyn’s blown skirt.”
The design and construction of the building took five years, with the grand opening taking place in 2012.
Hadid’s team describe project on the Zaha Hadid Architects web site:
“The Center, designed to become the primary building for the nation’s cultural programs, breaks from the rigid and often monumental Soviet architecture that is so prevalent in Baku, aspiring instead to express the sensibilities of Azeri culture and the optimism of a nation that looks to the future.”
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@John
well she’ll qualify just because of her looks, and Azerbaijan Always qualifies 🙂
Her voice drives me up the wall. The worst of all female singers..the song..meh
well it doesn’t matter what you all think, if she can sing live or not, she’s just gonna qualify, i’m 110% sure of it 🙂
@allen: her design was scrapped because it went over-budget and was replaced by a design from japanese architect.
Rest in peace Zaha, she was my favorite Architect, she did the design of the Olympic Stadium for Tokyo 2020!.
Samra can still use this postcard and use it as a short tribute to Zaha Hadid.
They use all means to advertise themselves.
Is she half Mongolian or something? Hmm.
This building is magical. I can’t take my eyes off it every time I pass by. Zaha Hadid was an amazing architect. RIP
It’s a nice building!
Sir William lee addams can you please make a survey post for who is the hottest girl this years eurovision??? I made my list already cant wait to vote!!
I have visited Baku and seen this building last year in August. The building is spectacular as Baku itself. Loved this beautiful city very much. <3
Now this is one of my top favourites this year. Top 5 that is. It’s all down to Samra how she can deliver the song live. If they doesn’t mess up with the vocal even if she stand alone the song can do well since its contemporary contender, best of luck 🙂
Il Volo’s postcard featured another Zaha Hadid building last year
Sir William Lee Addams thank you for those barefeet shoots that made my day 🙂
Samra is definitely gonna qualify, only for her looks she’ll qualify 110% sure
Samra is so beautiful! She has the charismatic looks<3
that building puts azerbaijan on the world map. as an architecture graduate, i absolutely adore it. rip zaha hadid. you’re my idol! 🙁 thanks samra for the tribute.
So…whether he died or not they would still feature the building in the postcard. I’m confused. Nice looking building btw.