The more nations are united in a state, the richer it becomes, as each of them contributes to the world culture and civilization.
Heydar Aliyev
A solemn ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by the Republic of Azerbaijan of state independence was held in Berlin
A solemn ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by the Republic of Azerbaijan of state independence was held in the city of Berlin, the Federative Republic of Germany, September 29.
First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, member of the Milli Majlis Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony organized on the initiative and with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany.
First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva came to the German History Museum. Here Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva met with First Lady of Germany Bettina Wulff.
At the meeting, Bettina Wulff said she was pleased to see Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva in her country.
The First Lady of Germany expressed her gratitude for choosing Berlin to hold a ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by the Republic of Azerbaijan its state independence.
First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva thanked the First Lady of Germany for her support to this event and participation in the ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain of our state independence. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva stated that this ceremony was of great significance in terms of promoting the Azerbaijani culture in Germany.
Then Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva handed over a 50 thousand-Euro cheque to the management of the Berlin castle as a contribution of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to the charity campaign initiated in connection with the restoration of the Berlin Castle destroyed and burnt during the World War 2.
Management of the Berlin Castle thanked First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for this support and presented her a souvenir.
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After the meeting, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and First Lady of Germany Bettina Wulff went to an Azerbaijani exhibition, which bestowed special mood upon the ceremony?
Here was held presentation of the German version of “Azerbaijan’ edition.
Books, booklets and other publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation covering various themes associated with Azerbaijan were also demonstrated at the exhibition.
Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and Mrs. Bettina Wulff saw the exhibition of Azerbaijani carpets.
Carpets demonstrated at this exhibition representing all directions of the Azerbaijani carpet school by geographical location, patterns, composition, colour solution and technical characteristics had a great impression on visitors. Samples of the Garabagh carpet school demonstrated at the exhibition once more proved that Daghlyg Garabagh has always been an Azerbaijani land.
Its is obvious from this exhibition, where were also exhibited samples of ancient national coppersmithery, the Azerbaijani carpet-making art has very ancient history of development.
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Then a solemn ceremony started.
Opening the ceremony, famous German TV host Jens Riewa stated the significance of this event, and informed the audience, in detail, of Azerbaijan and its cultural values.
Jens Riewa congratulated Azerbaijan on its victory in “Eurovision-201” international song contest and said this contest will next year be held in Baku. He noted that celebration of the 20th anniversary of regain by Azerbaijan of its state independence in Germany is a significant event.
Greeting the guests, Bettina Wulff said she was pleased to see First Lady of Azerbaijan in Germany.
Stressing that relations between our countries were at a high level, the First Lady of Germany said that cultural relations between Germany and Azerbaijan are also developing successfully. The holding Days of Azerbaijan in Germany in 2008 and the Week of Germany in Azerbaijan last year is an indicator of the level of these relations.
Saying “Cooperation between our countries in the sphere of culture is of special importance”, Bettina Wulff highly appreciated the Azerbaijani exhibition launched on September 29 in Berlin. She emphasized that this exhibition was of great significance in terms of promoting cultural riches of our country.
First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Greeting the guests attending the ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by our country of its state independence, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva thanked First Lady of Germany Bettina Wulff for her participation in this evening. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized that the primary objective of this ceremony organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is to deliver to the world society the past and present of Azerbaijan, and the achievements gained during the last 20 years.
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva said: “During 20 years we have made great progress. Having built a completely new political and economic system, we developed at a rapid pace. Today Azerbaijan is a leading state of the region. Azerbaijan accounts for 75 percent of the Southern Caucasian states’ total economy. All large-scale projects carried out in the region are implemented on the initiative and with participation of Azerbaijan.
During the recent years Azerbaijan has been among the leading world countries by economic growth rate. Today the European Union looks at Azerbaijan as its strategic partner in the sphere of energy security. Azerbaijan is ready to play its role in Europe’s oil and gas supply.
Today rapid development covers all areas of our country. Our greatest wealth is our cultural heritage, Azerbaijan’s carpet school, fine arts, literature, music, history and architectural monuments. Today theatres and museums are restored, new cultural centres opened in accordance with a special State Program.”
Mentioning the socially-oriented policy pursued today in Azerbaijan, construction of more than 2000 new school buildings, creation of more than 900 thousand new jobs during the recent years, sharp reduction of poverty level, the First Lady of Azerbaijan specially emphasized that all these achievements were gained in conditions of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict.
The President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation expressed hope that this conflict would find its solution in the near future in a fair and peaceful manner.
Talking about the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union and member countries, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva said relations with Germany are of special importance.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan expressed hope that today’s evening would also contribute to the strengthening of our relations.
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The First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva made a speech in the ceremony.
Then a grandiose concert program performed by Azerbaijani masters of art conducted by People’s Artist Teymur Goychayev was held at the History Museum of Germany.
This time the Azerbaijani culture was conquering the German capital. The fact that our country, which boasts of its twenty-year long rapid development, shows its successes through the language of culture, music, in short, a language comprehended by everyone, is no coincidence, since this practice was successfully tested many times with Azerbaijan and, performing the function of a strategic place in creating the cross-cultural dialogue platform, our country attracts cultural circles, and the attention of the world with its rich music. Ceremonies held abroad on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of regain by Azerbaijan its independence are of much significance in terms of promoting our country’s rich culture. Therefore, choosing Moscow after Paris, the capital of the world culture, and then Berlin is a significant step towards providing people residing in these countries with more information about Azerbaijan and ensure public circles with abundant information about our country.
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Samples of the rich Azerbaijani cuisine were presented to guests after the concert.
Hereby, celebration of the 20th anniversary of regain by Azerbaijan of its independence turned into an unforgettable festivity. And samples of culture demonstrated here familiarized everyone attending the ceremony more closely with land of fire Azerbaijan.
