Azernews.Az

By Fazil Guney (Abbasov), PhD, writer, honored journalist

20 years ago it was absolutely unfathomable that Azerbaijan`s oil could cease to be under Russian clout and reach world markets through neighboring Turkey. No one could imagine that the Azerbaijan Republic, which has taken a worthy place on the world map, would someday chair the United Nations Security Council and that its capital, Baku, would host the Eurovision song contest after Azerbaijan`s sealing an impressive win...

When we look at these historic events, it is evident that Azerbaijan`s first victory on the world stage which turned a legend into reality was sealed by the late national leader and former President Heydar Aliyev, and further successes were achieved by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

Throughout its two millennia-long history, the city of Baku has never been so beautiful, burgeoning and attractive for visitors who come here from every corner of the world. We recall that at the end of the 19th century, Baku`s oil began to attract European industrialists and businessmen, and the Nobel brothers were the pioneers of the oil industry. In 1917-20, Baku experienced enormous upheavals due to foreigners` activity, with Soviet Bolsheviks, Ottoman and British troops, as well as Armenian terror groups coming on the scene...However, thousands of expatriates gathering in Baku this time are peace-loving and friendly creative people and musicians. They are here to be part of old Europe`s song contest, which for the first time is being held in Azerbaijan, a tolerant Islamic country located on the continent`s eastern border.

So, what was the reason and secret behind the 2011 Eurovision triumph of Azerbaijan, which debuted at the song contest just four years ago? Many probably want to know the answer to this question. In my opinion, the primary reason is the ancient and abundant culture of the Azerbaijani people. Another reason of Azerbaijan`s success is the long-standing contribution of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in facilitating the expression of their talent. Everyone knows now that the idea of Azerbaijan`s participation at this prestigious song contest was put forward and realized by Mrs. Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, who managed to make the legend come true in a short time.

Back in the early 1990s, Mehriban Aliyeva established the Friends of Azerbaijani Culture foundation. At that time, both the economy and culture of newly independent Azerbaijan, which lost 20 percent of its territory due to its occupation by Armenia, and suffered ethnic cleansing committed against 1 million Azerbaijanis, faced a threat posed from three directions -- the Armenian military aggression from the west, and much pressure from other neighboring countries to the south and north. This threatened to wipe off the national and cultural values of the Azerbaijani people that have shaped up for centuries, because people subjected to aggression are incapable of thinking about their culture. The country was in poverty and its people were grieving. In times like these, culture needs support. And the First Lady`s goal in establishing the mentioned foundation was to preserve and develop the abundant cultural legacy left by many generations of Azerbaijanis and to promote awareness about Azerbaijani culture in the world. Mehriban Aliyeva was placing a special emphasis on revitalizing the Ashig and Mugham folk music genres of Azerbaijani Turks, which have many-century-long history. She was sending groups of people to Azerbaijani regions and villages to look for young and talented musicians. Shortly thereafter, Ashig and Mugham music was included in UNESCO`s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Mrs. Aliyeva was not yet the First Lady of Azerbaijan at that time.

In mid-1990s, after becoming President of the newly established Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mrs. Aliyeva stepped up her social activity and efforts in the international arena. In addition to preserving Heydar Aliyev`s legacy, she undertook other challenging tasks. These activities included the overhaul and construction of thousands of schools, healthcare facilities, cultural centers, kindergartens and boarding schools, restoration of historic architechtural monuments, medical treatment of ailing low-income citizens, the fight against thalassemia and diabetes, tree planting aimed at environmental protection, etc. Mrs. Aliyeva was even more successful in her undertakings than expected. The Azerbaijani people`s understanding and appreciation of her efforts was a source of strength for the First Lady. With the Mugham song contest held in Baku and other spectacular events held in France, Italy, Russia and other countries and attended by Mrs. Aliyeva, she served not only the 50 million-strong Azerbaijani people but also the integration of civilizations in the whole world.

Former UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura said about the Azerbaijani First Lady, ``She is working successfully not only in Azerbaijan and the region, but, in my opinion, on a global scale.``

Mrs. Aliyeva inherited the love for Mugham from her grandfather, writer, Prof. Mir Jalal Pashayev, while with her contribution to the integration of the Eastern and Western cultures, she continued the unfinished work of her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva, an Arab studies scholar who died prematurely.

Mrs. Aliyeva, who has done a great deal for Azerbaijan in the past 15 years, continues making great contributions to the well-being of the nation she loves. One of these contributions is, speaking the words of journalist Reyhan Mirzazada, is setting an example for the Azerbaijani Muslim women, particularly, those of the new generation, with the spirit of kindness and love. And this does not concern Azerbaijanis alone. We can say with confidence that women in other Islamic countries should follow this example too! She combines the best of Eastern and Western values. I am making this conclusion based on the views of the spouses of numerous foreign diplomats and businessmen who attended international events in Baku, and the articles they have published in their home countries.

So, the Eurovision event taking place in Baku in the coming days is the result of many-year-long efforts aimed at the development of Azerbaijani musical art by the chairperson of its organizing committee Mehriban Aliyeva, who stands out for both inner and outer beauty, her intelligence and knowledge, a kind heart, the skill of public speaking and other values. She has succeeded in making a legend come true in an unbelievably short time.