organizational partner of the contest, was supportive during each stage, as well as in holding a
number of events toward the promotion of the country. Personal leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva,
the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation helped to realize these events and solve other
issues operatively.
Our country, always being in the crossroads of the cultures and civilizations, hosted the
57
years old grand contest. Musical culture, helping the dialogues and understanding, united the
representatives of various nations and religions in our native Baku. Eurovision Song Contest
once more proved the devotion towards the ancient traditions in Azerbaijan. Media
representatives from 80 countries and guests were the witnesses of the respect towards different
nationalities and values during this grand song contest.
Art Festivals and Exhibitions
“
I love Azerbaijan” art exhibition
An art exhibition entitled “I love Azerbaijan” was held at the exhibition hall named after
Sattar Bahlulzadeh, on September 3, 2004. The participants of the exhibition, held with the
initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, were the children from the orphanages and boarding
schools. The aim of the exhibition, being the first of its kind, was to draw the attention of the
people to the children in need of special care.
The Qala Festival
The Qala Festival was held following the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at the
Qala State Historic & Ethnographic Reserve located in the settlement of the same name of
Baku’s Khazar District with 2500 kids from a number of secondary schools, boarding
institutions and children homes involved. Exhibition of weaving, pottery and blacksmith’s works
was arranged at the festival, followed by handicraft master-classes for children.
With a view to promoting the nation’s rich history and centuries-old traditions of day-
today household life among the youngsters, the old ethnographic traditions were presented to the
audience through shows depicting dough rolling, wool combing and grain crunching scenery.
Photo exhibition “Azerbaijan through a Foreign Lens”
“
Azerbaijan through a Foreign Lens” photo exhibition was held at the Modern Museum
of Modern Art on July 12, 2011 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and United
Nations Development Program. More than 90 colored and white-and-black photos, taken by the
foreign diplomats and businessmen working in Azerbaijan, were demonstrated at the exhibition.
600
photos by the citizens of 30 countries were presented, following the announcement of the
UNDP Azerbaijan. These photos described how foreigners saw the wonderful beauty of our
country through nature sceneries and lives of ordinary people.