A solemn ceremony on the occasion of the 88th birthday of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the 7th anniversary of establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was held at Buta Palace
Solemn ceremony on the 88th birthday of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the 7th anniversary of establishment of Heydar Aliyev Foundationwas held at Buta Palace, May 10.
President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, the family members posed for photos with First Lady of Latvia Lilita Zatlere.
The event, with attendance of state and government officials and foreign guests, started off with a video featuring different periods of Heydar Aliyev’s glorious life path.
Speaking at the ceremony, Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva noted that over 20 years of existence of independent Azerbaijan has gained great achievements. Stressing that Azerbaijan is a strong state, Mehriban Aliyeva said: "On every page of our modern history we can see the indelible traces of genius Heydar Aliyev”. Recalling the difficult situation in the first years of our independence, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation noted that Azerbaijan’s national leader freed from the big disasters and, relying on the people, began to write a glorious page of our new, modern history.
Noting that the career of genius personality Heydar Aliyev became the symbol of service to the people and homeland, Mrs Aliyeva recalled the 7-year operation of the Foundation named after the great leader. The First Lady of Azerbaijan said that the Foundation has implemented a number of large-scale projects and in the past year. Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that the biggest success of the Foundation for the past 7 years has been winning the confidence and respect of the Azerbaijani people.
Then, a film about the activities of national leader Heydar Aliyev was presented.
President Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event.
Expressing deep respect and reverence of the people of Azerbaijan to the immortal memory of great leader Heydar Aliyev, the President noted that the national leader always faithfully served his people and homeland. Due to his merits, Azerbaijan reached the most advanced place in the Soviet Union from a development perspective, in many spheres of life our country has developed rapidly, and thus 70 years of the last century, have remained in our history as a period of progress. Entering the top leadership of the Soviet Union, he also made important steps towards the development of Azerbaijan. But after his removal from office, our country faced various problems, separatist tendencies in Daghlig Garabagh intensified. "However, the merits of Heydar Aliyev for Azerbaijan lived in the heart of the people" - said President Ilham Aliyev, adding that the great leader always lived with dignity, with honor, overcame all the trials.
Noting that the return of the national leader to the political power in Azerbaijan has been a demand of the people, the President said that if not the determination, courage and political authority of Heydar Aliyev at the time, our independence would be lost. Noting that the years 1993-2003 were in Azerbaijan’s history as a period of stability and development, Ilham Aliyev said that the bases of our statehood and independence were laid down precisely in 1993 and since that time Azerbaijan is only in the way of development.
Stressing that independence is our greatest asset, the President said today Azerbaijan develops and strengthens – it is the most beautiful testimony of our tribute to the memory of Heydar Aliyev. "We will go this way. The policy of Heydar Aliyev will live in Azerbaijan. We will not deviate from this path and always be faithful to the policy of Heydar Aliyev ", - the Azerbaijani President said.
The ceremony went on with presentation of the Heydar Aliyev Award.
Upon the decision of the Heydar Aliyev Award Commission and Order of President Ilham Aliyev of May 10, 2011, writer Anar Rasul oghlu Rzayev received the Heydar Aliyev Award for his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature.
President Ilham Aliyev presented the Award to Anar Rzayev.
At the ceremony was shown a film about activity of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Then, were declared the winners for 2011 of the international award "Golden Plane" established by Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2009.
The winner in the first nomination was announced former UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura for his contributions to the preservation of universal values, enhancement of dialogue of civilizations, development of relations of Azerbaijan with UNESCO, successful representation of Azerbaijan in an intercultural exchange.
Winner of the next nomination was ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz bin Othman al-Tuveyjri for his fruitful work in establishing links in the spheres of science, education and culture, and building a dialogue among peoples.
First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva presented the international award of Heydar Aliyev Foundation to both winners.
Following the awarding ceremony, a concert was presented by the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev led by People’s Artist Teymur Goychayev. The concert featured performance by the world famous group Il-divo and soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, talented tenor Samir Jafarov.
