In October 2008, the State Art Gallery in the town of Salyan was put into operation offer
renovation. Along with the exhibition of visual art works, the Gallery hosts master-classes for
young talents offered by professional artists.
In 2009, the musical school named after People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Habil Aliyev was
erected in the famous musician’s hometown of Aghdash. The school creating enabling
environment for young talents was supplied with musical instruments, books, records of
recognized composers and musicians and other training aids donated by the Foundation.
In 2010, the new social and cultural centers were commissioned in Turkan and Bina
settlements of Baku’s administrative district of Khazar. Furnished with state-of-the-art
equipment, the centers provide possibilities for a broad array of public events.
Abroad
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is also involved in the restoration of cultural landmarks
outside Azerbaijan. E.g., in 2006, the Foundation renovated gravestones and beautified the
surroundings of the burial places of a number of outstanding Azerbaijani public figures buried
in the Pantheon in Tbilisi, Georgia. The figures in question include Mirza Shafi Vazeh (1794-
1852),
a recognized poet, Mirza Fatali Akhundzadeh (Akhundov) (1812-1878), a writer,
dramatist and philosopher, Hassan-bey Aghayev (1875-1920), a political and public figure, and
Fatali-khan Khoyski (1875-1920), one of the founding fathers of the first Republic of Azerbaijan
of 1918-1920.
The Foundation also supported restoration of ancient masterpieces in the park Versailles,
Paris, enlisted in the World Cultural Heritage List since 1979, (2007), Louvre Museum (2008),
Berlin Palace, burnt and destroyed during the World War II (2011), manuscripts kept at Vatican
archives (2011) and catacombs in Rome (2012).
The “Azerbaijan – Address of Tolerance” Project
Paying a special attention to the preservation of the traditions of tolerance in Azerbaijan,
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation launched the ongoing “Azerbaijan – Address of Tolerance”
Project. Basic repair and substantial renovation of the Pir Hasan worship area of the 16th
century in Mardakan, Baku, were undertaken following the Foundation’s initiative in 2005. The
area is known for locating the graves of a number of highly esteemed historic figures like Pir
Hassan, Khadija Khanum, the daughter of the seventh Shiite Imam Museyi Kazym, Akhund Hajji
Mirza Abu Turab Akhundzadeh, a famous cleric and author of a number of works on philosophy
and history of religion, as well as Hajji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, a recognized public figure and
benefactor, and his daughter Sarah Taghiyeva.
The Mohsun Salim Mosque in Bina suburb of Baku is one of the religious sites restored by
the Foundation in the framework of this project in 2006. The shrine erected in the early 20th
century by a local oil magnate fell into a complete disrepair due to a longtime neglect. The