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November 14, 2012

An exhibition entitled “Treasures of Azerbaijan through the Wave of History” was inaugurated in Vatican following the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation

An exhibition entitled “Treasures of Azerbaijan through the Wave of History” in connection with the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican was inaugurated in Vatican following the initiative and with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, November 14.


Azerbaijan is the first Muslim country to organize an exhibition in Vatican to display cultural values. The most important feature of the exhibition opened on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is just associated with this factor.


Before the inauguration of the exhibition, Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Afandiyev, participating from the Azerbaijani side, had a meeting with Vatican’s Minister of Culture, chairman of the Supreme Pontiff’s Council for Holy Archaeology Cardinal Jianfranco Ravazi. Relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican were discussed at the meeting and significant services of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headed by our country’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in this sphere were underlined. It was also noted that events recently held on Mehriban Aliyeva’s initiative in Vatican have turned into a nice tradition. It was also emphasized that significant relations have been created for cooperation in the past 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.


Addressing the ceremony, Vatican’s Minister of Culture, chairman of the Supreme Pontiff’s Council for Holy Archaeology Cardinal Jianfranco Ravazi noted that relations established between our countries have shown more development in the cultural and humanitarian spheres.  Saying “we consider our relations with Azerbaijan successful”, Cardinal Ravazi underlined that projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headed by Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have played a distinguished role in extending of these relations. Recalling Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s financial aid for Roman catacombs’ restoration,  Cardinal Ravazi appreciated this as a significant example of  the intercultural dialogue platform. 


Delivering greetings of Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva to participants of the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Afandiyev informed of our country’s old history, rich culture and the path of development it has passed. Elchin Afandiyev noted that Azerbaijan has for centuries been known as one of the main places of religious tolerance and this traditions are continuing to date. It  was underlined that 20 percent of our lands have been occupied as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict and that over one million of our fellow citizens have become refugees and internally displaced people.


Saying “the exhibition we inaugurated today is the manifestation of the value given to Azerbaijan in Vatican”, Elchin Afandiyev recalled the visit by Supreme Pontiff John Paul 2nd to our country and said reciprocal visits have significantly stimulated relations of cooperation between our countries.


Then opening of the exhibition “Treasures of Azerbaijan through the Wave of History” took place. One of the significant features of the exhibition, where all periods of Azerbaijan’s  history and culture were represented at the highest level, was that our country was presented as a crossroad of cultures and civilizations. Visitors familiarizing themselves with an exhibition comprised of six sections were informed that one of the human habitats – archaeological materials found in Azerbaijan’s territory were displayed here. All exhibits displayed here properly reflected Azerbaijan’s culture and lifestyle. At an exhibition, where  various art samples – weapons, items of adornment and old copper items - were displayed, Azerbaijan’s mugham art, which was entered on UNESCO’s List of Cultural Heritage, and  our music instruments also were widely displayed. And ancient manuscripts and holy books related to various religions show what strong supports our traditions of tolerance rely on in our country.


Azerbaijani carpets are among the most valuable treasures of the exhibition. Carpets displayed at the exhibition, where all directions of the Azerbaijani carpet-making school were presented by geographical location, pattern compositions, harmony of colours and technical features, present national and secular values to visitors.


In addition to books, booklets and other publications reflecting various projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, an Italian version of the book “Azerbaijan” was presented at the exhibition.


The exhibition “Treasures of Azerbaijan through the Wave of History” will continue till the 5th  December. 


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