Zarifa Salakhova is a very famous and respectful person in the country. She has a lot of regalia - owner of unique museum of bibelots, member of executive committee of National Olympic Committee, Chairwoman of Baku association Azerbaijani Women, Committee of reconstruction of released territories, Committee of hostages and lost people and also laureate of many premiums. Zarifa Salakhova is a sister of people's artist of USSR Tahir Salakhov.
Our interview took place in museum of bibelots established by her.Sizes of bibelot
How many exhibit items do you have in your museum?
- Now there are 4650 books in this unique museum of bibelots, published in 64 countries. Overall, there are 6500 books in my collection. It collected by sections: Pushkin, religious books, cosmonautics, and bibelots issued in ex-soviet republics, in Russian federation, rare books, books published in Moscow, books in Russian Empire.
What kind of books is considered to be bibelots?
- In USSR issue with a size of 100x100 mm was considered to bibelot. European standard was 58x76. I issued 120 types of books with a size of 38x53 mm in Baku. By the way such books were also issued in USSR by Adjar Khanbabayev, when he headed publishing house "Yazichi"
Your museum is well known outside of Azerbaijan, right?
- On March 20-22, I'm going to be in London, where international book exhibition takes place. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Republic participates there. I'd learned about this exhibition from newspapers and wrote a letter to the Minister of Culture and Tourism asking to include me into delegation.
I'll bring Azeri bibelots with the size 38x53 mm, 40x45 mm and bibelots about Great Britain to London. There are "History of England" issued in 1915 with illustrations, Shakespeare's issue of 1941, printed in New York, bibelot "Winston Churchill- honorary citizen of USA", "Hamlet" issued in 1907 in Leipzig, and Byron's poems with the size 8x8 mm. This is a very valuable consignment and that is why I carry-on it with certificates.
Our bibelots are always interest people. 4 years ago, when I issued the bibelot about composer Kara Karayev, it was shown in exhibitions in Alexandria, Egypt. It was the only bibelot among all Azerbaijanian issues in that exhibition. Chingiz Aliogli headed administrations of Ministry of Culture mentioned that this bibelot interested people most of all than the rest.

Tahir Salakkhov cooked
dinner for us
Tell us about your family.
- I had three brothers and a sister. Artist Tahir Salakhov was born in 1928, I was born in 1932. In our childhood brother took care about us, when our father was arrested and executed in 1937, as an enemy of the people. Our Father was a first secretary of Lachin. He was rehabilitated posthumously and mother got his pension. Those years were very difficult for our family, Tahir took care about us and cooked for us. We talk on the phone a lot, he lives in Moscow. But half of the year he lives in his counties house in Apsheron's village Nardaran. When he was elected first secretary of Union of Artist of USSR, Tahir could spend his vacation wherever he wished but he was very loyal to Nardaran.
Would you like to establish museum of Tahir Salakhov in Baku?
- Yes, we already have a building, Tahir made a three floored gallery there. There are exhibited all his works for 20 year period. Now this gallery is closed as we have to settle some organization problems. President of Academy of Art of France was in his anniversary celebration. I'll tell you a secret Academy of Art of France will give him an order in Paris at the end of April.

What is the overall cost
of the museum?
Was there any thief offence in your museum?
- Once a tall young man without one leg came to our museum. He was Checenian. He asked about prices of books and then left. I was very anxious about it. He came again two years later and lend out 200 000 manat (old money). I haven't seen his anymore.
Is museum business brings any revenue?
- What return are you talking about? Thank to ex-president Heydar Aliyev I could get this place in Inner City.
I've been building this three floor building for 3 years. We took the credit for construction. Interest rate was 30% and we could return money only in 2005. Entrance is free and we don't take any money from government for its support. When construction was finished, I've been looking for sponsors for 8 months. In the table on museum's wall you can find list of the companies who helped us to buy equipment and lighting. President Ilham Aliyev gave me presidential grant and now I can pay for security and utility.
Who need those books?
Do you think that as the result of internet and television, books become less actual?
- Of course not. You can read guestbook of our museum and see yourself. On April 8th 2005, ex-president of Russian Federation visited our museum. When I started telling him about our museum he interrupted me and said: "Wait a minute, I was in 65 countries but have never seen anything like this". He was here with his spouse and daughter. They saw all exhibits and then he made an entry in our quest book, "I've been in many countries but I've never seen anything like this. It's fantastic". It is very difficult for me to read this book without happy tears.
This is an aristocracy's opinion. There are very few bookstores in the city.
- Why so? There is a bookstore in the first floor of Literature museum named after Nizami. Director of the museum- Rafael Huseynov, was trying got rid of the bookstore, but I wrote a letter to first Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. With her help bookstore remained there. Furthermore, there is a very good bookstore under library, named after Heydar Aliyev.
What are you reading now?
- I always read something. Now I'm reading a book about ex-minister of culture, PhD Zakir Baghirov. He headed bibliophiles' society since 1974, I was his assistant. He was very intelligent and educated person. I told his spouse that I'm going to issue bibelot about him.
New lights in old streets
Is it difficult to live in inner city? All buildings are so old…
- No it is not difficult. But it is difficult to observe things happening here. It is ridiculous. I think that director of Icheri Shekher should be architecture and Bakinian. Installing 50 different sorts lightings in such a limited space… is it possible?
Were there any invasions on this place?
- I'm may be the only person who has constructive documents. It is quite difficult to get it.

Price without price
Is it possible to evaluate your exhibition in manats?
- No, this collection is invaluable. When I was in Olympic Games in Beijing, I met with Russian couple. They were doctors living in China and collecting pictorial art. They knew Tahir Salakhov and hear that I'm his sister they presented me 270 bibelots issued in china.
And then they brought me 18 bibelots when they came to Baku. I made a stand of Chinese bibelots for them. When I came to Chinese embassy asking to translate me names of those books for my catalogue they said, "Can you imagine how much do all that cost?"
Now I have collection of Chinese Imperators' poems, and handmade books in wooden boxes.
Are there any other people collecting bibelots in Baku?
- Already not. One of them died, another one left Baku with all books.
Do you need a new building to enlarge museum?
- No, I can put more stands here. Now I'm preparing book about Olympic Games in Beijing. It will be ready in ten days. It will contain all names our prize winners in 2 languages. Bibelot will be published in our publishing house. I managed save printing facility of Soviet Society of Bibliophiles and we print here our bibelots, which can be found in shops of Baku.