A ceremony on the occasion of 89th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and 8th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s activity
Solemn ceremony was held on the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, the 89th birthday of the national leader and the 8th anniversary of the establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, 10 May. President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members attended the ceremony.
First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.
Address by Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva:
- Dear Mr President!
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
Dear guests, dear friends!
I sincerely greet you and congratulate on the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center.
This magnificent work of architecture opening today is a monument immortalizing the unforgettable memory of great person, genius personality Heydar Aliyev. All his life long Heydar Aliyev served his nation and homeland faithfully. We see his indelible vestiges in all pages of the history of modern Azerbaijan, in economy, foreign policy, science and culture. Present successes, achievements of our country, strengthening of our independence are the continuation of the Heydar Aliyev path, the Azerbaijanism idea of Heydar Aliyev.
From the very beginning of its establishment, the foundation named after Heydar Aliyev has tried to deserve its high title, serve our people and country, decently represent Azerbaijan in the world, rely on the ideals of humanism. For these 8 years, the Foundation has taken active part almost in all spheres of our country’s public life. Protecting interests of ordinary people, helping people in need, with its works, specific projects the Foundation has gained respect and confidence in Azerbaijan and beyond our country.
And in the previous year the Foundation implemented series of necessary works. Large-scale events were held in France, Russia, Germany, Italy and Vatican on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence and the international community’s attention was once again directed to Azerbaijani history, culture and art. Exhibition “Fly to Baku: Modern Art of Azerbaijan” held in England and France and to be held in Germany and Italy with the support of the Foundation opens new opportunities for international promotion of Azerbaijani artists.
As part of the New School to New Azerbaijan Project, repair and restoration of schools, boarding schools, children’s homes, kindergartens in our country continue due to the Foundation’s support. The Foundation always pays attention to children needing a special care. We are expanding our humanitarian action. It is no secret that humanitarian cooperation is one of the most important means to solve existing problems, conflicts, build a mutual respect and understanding among different nations. Just for this reason, the Foundation carried out a number of necessary works in this field in the past year. The Foundation was very actively involved in the restoration of the Louvre Museum, the Berlin Castle burnt and destroyed during WWII, medieval manuscripts preserved in the Vatican archives, in the removal of the consequences of the quake in Haiti, in the creation of the Heritage School of Africa.
From the first years the Foundation established very close and successful cooperation with a number of international organizations, including UN, UNESCO, ISESCO. Today I want to mention that we successfully perform joint projects in Azerbaijan and outside.
Dear friends, we have new ideas. We have new targets and I hope that all our plans will be realized in the future too. I express my deep gratitude to every person, every organization cooperating with the Foundation, involved in the projects, doing its best for us.
These days we are all waiting for the official opening of Eurovision Song Contest 2012 our capital will host. We, the employees of Heydar Aliyev Foundation are proud that just at the initiative and due to direct support of the Foundation our country joined this contest several years ago and just after 4 years this song festival came to our country thanks to the victory of our gifted youth Nigar and Eldar.
As an official partner of Eurovision-2012, Heydar Aliyev Foundation does its best to ensure that this contest is realized on the highest level in our country. In several days, our city will welcome the contest participants and visitors. To majority of them, it will probably be the first acquaintance with our country. I would like so much and I hope that every guest coming to our city will love Baku’s beauty, modern look of ancient Baku, unique atmosphere in Baku and most important feel the hospitality of our people, the people of Azerbaijan. I am confident that Eurovision-2012 in Baku will become an unforgettable festivity.
Dear guests, finally I twice congratulate you on this day. I hope the evening prepared by Heydar Aliyev Foundation will present you nice moments. I wish you and your relatives health, happiness and love.