Azerbaijan: The Last Kankan of Nakhchivan
9' (Azerbaijan)
Director/Producer:  Chaim Litewski

Description:

In less than twenty years, nearly two billion people could face water shortages. But one country–Azerbaijan, which sits between Europe and Western Asia–has come up with an ingenious solution to its water crisis. Through rehabilitating ancient methods of water delivery from distant remote mountains, the community of Nakhchivan, a province of Azerbaijan, restores balance in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner providing pure water all year around without the need for external energy sources. After the collapse of the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, water became scarce in the province of Nakhchivan. The Soviet-built water delivery system fell into disrepair, and following severe water shortages threatened the lives of inhabitants. In arid Nakhchivan, with a population of 4,000, ancient Kahrizes have been rediscovered. The almost forgotten man-made tunnels that take underground water to the surface through gravity flow are being restored and providing pure water in a reliable and efficient manner. An ancient technology has re-emerged out of necessity and is now being passed on to future generations of Kankans in Nakhchivan.  

Biography:

Chaim Litewski was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and graduated from the Polytechnic of Central London/Westminster University, London, UK with a BA and MA in film studies. Chaim has worked for the British Film Institute, Channel Four, UK, TV Globo (Brazil) and many other international broadcasters. Currently, Chaim is Senior United Nations Television Producer in New York.

Contact Information:

UN Television Department of Public Information
C/O UN-HQ RMS-805A
405 E 42 ST Cor First Ave
New York, NY 10017
E-mail: audio-visual@un.org