Cultural events mark 20 years of Azerbaijan-Italy relations
By Nigar Orujova
A number of cultural events devoted to the anniversary of Azerbaijan-Italy relations and Azerbaijani ties with the Vatican were held last week.
An exhibition, "Historical look at Azerbaijan's rich pearls", was opened on November 14 in the Vatican. The exhibition, initiated and supported by Azerbaijan's Heydar Aliyev Foundation, marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and the Vatican. The exhibits feature all periods of the country's history and culture.
Azerbaijan is a first Islamic state that demonstrates its cultural values in the Vatican.
One of the peculiarities of the exhibition, which consists of six sections, is that Azerbaijan is presented as a bridge of different cultures and civilizations.
Various books and booklets published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation are displayed at the exhibition, which will last untill December 5.
Before the exhibition`s opening ceremony, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Afandiyev met with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, Vatican`s Culture Minister. They discussed relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican, stressing the role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in developing the bilateral cooperation.
The sides noted that cultural events held in the Vatican at the initiative of the Foundation had become a good tradition. They also praised the cooperation established by Azerbaijan and the Vatican over the past 20 years.
Addressing the opening of the exhibition, Cardinal Ravasi said the relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican have been developing particularly in the cultural and humanitarian assistance fields.
According to Ravasi, the projects launched by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation play a special role in developing Azerbaijan-Vatican cooperation.
Ravasi recalled restoration of sacred catacombs by the Foundation, regarding the endeavor as an example of intercultural and inter-civilizational platform.
Deputy Prime Minister Afandiyev conveyed greetings from the President of the Foundation, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the event participants and spoke of Azerbaijan's ancient history and rich culture. He said Azerbaijan has always been recognized across the world as a country with religious tolerance.
Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the deputy PM reminded that Armenia occupies 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territories and more than one million Azerbaijanis were driven out of their native land by force, referring to the 1990s war fought by the two South Caucasus republics.
Afandiyev said the exhibition in the Vatican was graphic evidence of the importance attached to Azerbaijan.
Afandiyev also recalled the visit of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan. He added that reciprocal visits give an impetus to strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.
A ceremony called "Azerbaijan: wind of culture", dedicated to Azerbaijan-Italy diplomatic relations, was held with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's support in Rome on November 15.
A number of meetings were held by the Azerbaijani delegation during its visit to the Italian capital.
Afandiyev visited the memorial to great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi erected in the Villa Borghese park in Rome. Then Afandiyev met Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno. The parties highly assessed the support rendered by Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the restoration of Italy's cultural heritage.
During a meeting with Italian Culture Minister Lorenzo Ornaghi, Afandiyev stressed the development of relations between the two countries and the importance of cultural cooperation.
Afandiyev communicated the greetings and a congratulation letter of Mehriban Aliyeva addressed to the participants of the ceremony on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Azerbaiajni-Italian diplomatic ties.
The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev performed under conduction of People's Artist Teymur Goychayev in Rome.
The Italian-Azerbaijani relations started with the Italian recognition of Azerbaijani independence on January 1, 1992. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 8, 1992. The first embassy of Italy among the South Caucasus republics was opened in Azerbaijan in 1997, while the Azerbaijani embassy in Italy has been operating since 2003.