A solemn ceremony on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and the 6th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's activity was held
May 10, a solemn ceremony took place at the Buta Palace on the 87th birthday of national leader of Azeri people Heydar Aliyev and the 6th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
The meeting attended by state and government officials, foreign guests was addressed by President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva who said Heydar Aliyev devoted his whole life to the development of Azerbaijan.
According to her, independent Azerbaijan found its well-deserved place in the world community thanks to Heydar Aliyev`s activity. The great leader’s noble deeds will be the school of wisdom for future generations.
“Azerbaijanis are proud that they have such an unforgettable leader and hero as Heydar Aliyev”, said Mehriban Aliyeva. She pointed out the Foundation named after the national leader has been operating for 6 years already and for these years it has taken an active part in Azerbaijan’s public-political life. Heydar Aliyev Foundation played an important role in developing education, health, culture in Azerbaijan and raising world community`s awareness about Azerbaijan. It is not by chance that today Heydar Aliyev Foundation is the address of respect and trust in the world.
Then, the participants saw a video dedicated to prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the ceremony.
He said Heydar Aliyev had served the people of Azerbaijan with dignity and dedication in all times.
People of Azerbaijan, according to the President, loved and trusted Heydar Aliyev very much. The great leader was always sensitive to problems of the country and as result of his services the problems we faced in due time were solved. Thanks to Heydar Aliyev`s activity, Azerbaijan shattered the “risky country” image to embark on large-scale projects, the Azerbaijani leader noted.
Noting 1993-2003 was a decisive period for Azerbaijan’s future and works done in those 10 years equal the works done for centuries, the President said “Independent Azerbaijan built by the national leader is living, developing and opening up new opportunities for our people. Our country goes in the Heydar Aliyev path. The national leader`s ideological principles have been established in the country”.
Ilham Aliyev expressed assurance that Azerbaijan’s successful and dynamical development would continue in the years to come. “We are loyal to our national leader”, said President Ilham Aliyev, adding “Heydar Aliyev policy will live in Azerbaijan forever”.
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A film narrating on the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s activity was shown at the ceremony.
Then, winners of the Gold Plane Tree, the international award instituted by the Foundation, in 2010 were declared.
The Award was presented to the winners by President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.
People`s Artist Arif Babayev received the Award for his contribution to the development of mugham and active participation in Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s cultural projects.
Arif Babayev said:
Dear Mr President!
Dear Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva!
Today is the birthday of great son of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. Our great leader always highly valued our people of art, gave huge contributions to our culture. This mission is continued by Mr Ilham Aliyev, the worthy successor of the Heydar Aliyev policy. I will not speak a lot, we have time limit. I only want to say that we used to imagine: “We wish we had a mugham center”. God bless Mr President. Construction and opening of the Mugham Center in a beautiful place in Baku, in the seaside National Park is a huge event. Thank you so much.
Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, You have lifted mugham, the crown of our national music, to the universal level. Thank You very much. Because of time limit I can not count Your other services. Today I receive this award on the birthday of our great leader. This was an unforgettable day in my life. Thank you so much.
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Former head of UNICEF Office in Azerbaijan Mrs Hanaa Singer received the Award for protecting children`s rights and supporting their growth in humanist soul.
Hanaa Singer said:
Dear Mr President!
Dear Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva!
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
I am honored to receive this amazing award on behalf of UNICEF. To work for UNICEF is not to work for an organization. This is a mission, which includes protection of children’s rights, always defending them, solving their problems. I have great honor of working for this organization. Working for this organization, to come to this country and deal with children’s problems, know them gives me huge joy and pride. Even we do not say any words in any case and sometimes we talk of problems. I want to mention with pleasure and honor that working in Azerbaijan, solving these problems I did not witness any partial interest. We see firm cooperation of Azeri government with us in this job. We see the necessary contribution by the Foundation to the civic society.
Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva plays an important role in this field. We do not work for charity, the most important goal to us is defending and protecting children’s rights. What about my relations with Azerbaijan, I can only say this is a special relations.
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The Gold Plane Tree Award also went to People`s Artist Tahir Salahov for his contributions to the painting in the country.
Tahir Salahov said:
Dear Ilham Heydar oghlu!
Dear Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva!
Today is very exciting day for me, because I suddenly receive such a high award. In this award I see the soul of Heydar Aliyev, his love for art and culture, and not on the scale of Azerbaijan only. He used to lead the culture of whole Soviet Union. He was responsible for 19 spheres, including culture. At this point, I want to say he is with us today, he awards us, lets us always feel his sincerity, attention and warmth.
May Heydar Aliyev rest in peace! Viva the Foundation named after him! God bless the First Lady!
To me, she is the First Lady of a planetary scale, who has no alternative.
Thank you.
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The awarding ceremony was followed by a concert by the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra conducted by People’s Artist Rauf Abdullayev. World-known Spanish tenor and conductor José Plácido Domingo Embil, Ms Aylin Peres and laureate of international contests Dinara Aliyeva sang at the concert works by Azeri and foreign composers.
Expressing huge honor for attending the special ceremony on the 6th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Plácido Domingo sang Tofig Guliyev’s “Sene De Galmaz”, which he dedicated to national leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev.
After the concert, Plácido Domingo met with President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.
