When the idea becomes a calling
Before founding of the Cult Club, Nazrin was teaching at the French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ). After returning from London in 2017, this was the next natural step in her educational career. “At first, I merely taught online while taking care of my husband and son. However, I always knew there was a burning need to do more. London had infected me with this “closed club” culture. I began working on the club idea while still at UFAZ. Initially, it was a social project offered on a no-charge basis, before we formed an LLC and created a website. It all started as more of a social project (in the process, I became fond of the social entrepreneurship idea as a whole.”
The move to London was a fateful one: it was there that Nazrin got acquainted with the atmosphere of closed clubs, such as the legendary Soho House. “Thanks to my husband, who was the one who initially introduced me to the culture of clubs, as well as to a friend who drove me to lectures. By going in, I became acquainted with the management and inquired about the schedule for the month. This was the beginning of my experience with such clubs. I even wrote a motivational letter to enter, but then we moved back to Baku. And this is where the tale of the Cult Baku started.”
According to Nazrin, the name of the club was conceived as a result of her reflections on culture. “I felt that we as a society did not pay enough attention to culture. However, just like every other nation, we have something to share with the rest of the globe. Every individual embarks on a journey. And if your head and heart are in a good balance, there is a way that will steer you in the right direction.”
There are no untalented people; only those who have not found themselves
Not a single illusion existed in Nazrin’s mind. “I never thought that Cult would suddenly become popular,” she said, indicating that she was aware of the fact that the demand for the club would only arise if the quality of the promotion was exceptionally high. “To counter this, my staff and I work hard to ensure that the participants receive something that piques our interest. Until then, expectations and reality will not align. It turned out that everything was much better than I had anticipated it to be. Taking the initial step is the most important thing to do. It is then that the road presents itself.”
Despite the success, the club’s journey is not without challenges. One of them is the unpredictability of the priorities of the audience: “I am surprised at how much more important it is for some people to know who will be attending, with whom they can take a picture, than to know the content of the meeting itself. On the other hand, the club is frequently a source of surprise. It is the first moment that people encounter us, and this is what makes it so appealing. There was also an unexpected response to the questionnaire and the required entrance fee. We explain that it is not a barrier, but rather a guarantee of quality.”
When it comes to art, Nazrin speaks not as a curator or expert, but as the person for whom it has become an inner reference. “Art is a manifestation of human talent. There are no untalented people; only those who have not found themselves. It is when I glance at the artwork “Spring Morning in Baku” by Sattar Bakhlulzade that I understand that my day is going to be different from what it was before. Alternatively, when I listen to the preludes of Bach, I immediately feel something moving within me. It is possible to reimagine oneself through the medium of art, even if one is not directly connected to it.”
The heritage is what our ancestors have left us through labor, creative actions, behavior, and thoughts
How to pull yourself out of the “negative holes”? Nazrin’s answer is both spiritual and practical: “Until I was 30, I could afford to suffer. Now I understand: suffering takes away your sprit. And that is not the spirit’s purpose. I pray, read Zikras, and talk to my relatives, and it brings me back to earth. Sometimes, just walking or talking to the child can bring incredible relief. Fasting in Ramadan is also a form of purification, because the mind and heart work in unison”.
For Nazrin, heritage is not only a story, but also an action guide: “Heritage is in handwriting, it is the combined traces of previous generations. Heritage is what our ancestors have left us through labor, creative actions, behavior, and thoughts. Heritage certainly cannot be touched in the sense that it would be good to see it as it is. In addition, it is great to learn from it and make adjustments in the present to improve it. So heritage is also a way to learn how to behave”.
She willingly shares her favorite books – from classics to contemporary authors, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” as a guide on how to behave, and what consequences to expect from both behaviors, especially if there is a boy in the Family. I am very fond of Françoise Sagan’s works. When I started to immerse myself in her “Bonjour, tristesse” work, I went back and reread everything I had previously read. It may have coincided with the romantic phaseof growing up. Also, I love biographies. I was influenced by the biography of Prophet Muhammad, Steve Jobs, and Churchill (who would have thought that he liked to work lying down, and it was much more effective than working in an office or workplace). I love the works of Stefan Zweig, notably his“Royal Game”. “The Thorn Birds” left an indelible impression for years to come. When it comes to contemporary writers, I found it enjoyable to read about Eckhart Tolle and his power of the present day. Magsud Ibragimbekov is a creative individual, and I have a tremendous deal of respect for him.. If every single person on the Apsheron peninsula had read the book “There was never a better brother,” perhaps some of the traditions would have been eliminated for good.”
