President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the inauguration of the monument to Great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi in Rome
In accordance with the Resolution of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic dated December 23, 2011 on “Celebrating the 870th jubilee of Great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi”, inauguration of the monument to the great master of word was held within the series of events devoted to the poet’s jubilee, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and participation of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy, in the “Villa Borghese” Park in Rome, April 20.
First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva took part in the ceremony.
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and head of the Rome City Mayor’s Office International Department Mrs. Serena Forni unveiled the monument.
A wreath was put before the monument.
Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Mrs. Serena Forni thanked First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for her participation in this ceremony, and said the erection of a monument to Nizami Ganjavi in Rome should be evaluated as a sign of friendship between our countries.
Assessing the erection of a monument to great Azerbaijani poet in Rome also as part of the cooperation between our countries, Mrs. Serena Forni highlighted that a series of events have been held in Rome recently due to efforts by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.
Serena Forni emphasized the significance of the event held last year in Rome to mark the 20th anniversary of regain by Azerbaijan of its state independence.
Professor of the Naples Oriental Studies University Minnelli Bernardini, who has highly assessed the creative activity of Nizami Ganjavi, said the works by the great poet, who was born in Ganja city of Azerbaijan, have been a matchless treasury for all periods.
The professor said, in addition to serving the Azerbaijani people, the creative works by great Nizami are of great importance for other nations too. Saying “Nizami is very well known in Italy too”, the scholar noted that works by the great son of our nation were translated into Italian and are loved by Italians, and all his creative works are of universal importance.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Thanking people who have contributed to the erection of the monument, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva recalled the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held recently in Italy and mentioned that the inauguration of a grandiose monument to the great poet is the culmination of this event.
Saying “Nizami Ganjavi is one of the most eminent personalities of the Azerbaijani culture and history, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva said the creative works by Nizami are loved all over the world, and brought to the attention of the attendees that the year of 1991 was proclaimed by UNESCO as “the Year of Nizami” on the occasion of his 850-year jubilee. Today manuscripts by Nizami are preserved in a number of libraries and archives throughout the world.
Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized that Nizami’s creative works are distinguished for their high quality, justice and goodwill thoughts, and said as far back as in the Middle Ages – in the Renaissance Period – a number of European writers appealed to works by Nizami.
Emphasizing that the mausoleum of great Nizami in Ganja, an old city of Azerbaijan, has been preserved by the state as a cultural and historical monument, First Lady of Azerbaijan said;
- I’m sure the inauguration of this monument to this great poet, philosopher and humanist person in such a grandiose park in the centre of Rome will increase interest and attention in Italy too to his creative works and poetry. At the same time, this event will, without a doubt, contribute to strengthening the relations between our countries in cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Today Italy and Azerbaijan are partners almost in all spheres, and our meetings in the sphere of culture have become a tradition.
In December of the last year, “An Evening of Azerbaijan” devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by Azerbaijan of its independence was held in Rome. An exhibition had been organized in the Rome Opera Theatre reflecting the ancient carpet weaving school, and an Azerbaijani music and mugham were played there. At the end of this year, an exhibition called “Fly to Baku” reflecting the modern Azerbaijani art will be organized.
The Days of Azerbaijani Culture held this month in the capital and other cities of Italy have been welcomed with great interest and attention. In the fall of this year, the Days of Italian Culture will be held in Azerbaijan. I would like to assure you that the rich history, culture, art, music, school of art and architecture are very well known and loved in our country.
Saying “Culture and art are a great means to bring people together and make them understand each other better”, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva told assuredly that more meetings and more joint projects will be between our countries in future, and our cooperation will become stronger.
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Authors of the monument to the great poet in Rome are People’s Artist Salhab Mammadov and Honoured Artist Ali Ibadullayev. The project was also approved by the History and Art Commission of the Rome City Mayor’s office.
