January 17, 2015

Opening of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture takes place in the French city of Megève

Another event was organized within the framework of the project “Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan – A Pearl of the Caucasus” being implemented with the objective of more closely introducing Azerbaijan in France, with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and  assistance by Azerbaijan’s  Embassy in France. Opening of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture took place in the city of Megève, Savoie region, January 17.

 

The event was opened by Mayor of the city Mme Catherine Julien-Breches. She said, located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is known to the world  as a country with ancient civilization, and it was rich not only in  culture, but also subsoil resources, and located at the crossroads of the Eastern Europe, Asia and Near East.

 

The mayor emphasized that Azerbaijan, which regained its state independence in 1991, has extended its relations in various spheres.

 

Catherine Julien-Breches mentioned the friendly charter signed between Azerbaijan’s Gusar district and the city of Megève, and said that she had made herself closely familiarized with Gusar district while on a visit to Azerbaijan and that the skiing resort meeting up-to-date standards at the foot of Shahdagh Mountain  is inferior to none of those in Europe.

 

The mayor thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and President of the Foundation, Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for the organization of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture.

 

Delivering a speech at the event, head of Gusar district Executive Authority Shair Alkhasov talked about the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and France.

 

Deputy of the French National Assembly, chairperson of the Friends of Azerbaijan Association Jean-François Mancel pictured Azerbaijan as a rich and extremely interesting country, and noted that the relations between the two countries develop with rapid pace and that Azerbaijan has successfully defended its independence.

 

Highly appreciating the initiatives of Mehriban Aliyeva towards Azerbaijan’s promotion in France, the deputy said events organized in various districts and cities of France thanks to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation are of exclusive significance in terms of introducing Azerbaijan’s rich cultural treasures to French people.

 

Jean-François Mancel invited French people to travel to Azerbaijan and attend the First European Games to be held in June this year in Baku.

 

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Mentioning that significant works have been done towards promoting Azerbaijan in France at the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva in 23 cities of this country within the framework of the project “Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan – A Pearl of the Caucasus”, the Ambassador said such events will be organized further.

 

After the speeches, officials of the city of Megève and guests  first familiarized themselves with the exhibits  reflecting the life and creativity of Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi arranged by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. At the exhibition, works by Aliyar Alimirzayev, an artist from Gusar district, a member of the Unions of Artists of Azerbaijan and USSR, whose works are preserved in museums of a number of countries, were also displayed. 

 

The exhibition will continue till the end of January.

 

Works by Azerbaijani and European composers were performed by a jazz band led by Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan, virtuosic performer Isfar Sarabski.

 

Within the framework of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture, information was given by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to pupils of Megève secondary schools about Azerbaijan, they were presented Azerbaijani sweets.

 

At the end of the event, the guests familiarized themselves with samples of the Azerbaijani cuisine.