Azernews.Az

Another event associated with the Days of Azerbaijan, being held in France within the framework of the project "Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan - the Pearl of Caucasus", which is aimed at promoting Azerbaijan in France, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by Azerbaijani Embassy in France took place in the city of Colmar of the Alsace region.

The event started with the opening of an exhibition reflecting Azerbaijani history and cultural values.

Deputy Mayor of the city, Marianna Shelkova, brought to attention that Azerbaijan was rich not only in subsoil natural resources, but also in its history and culture.

Mentioning that although Azerbaijan went through tough times after the collapse of the USSR, its economy experienced rapid development due to the reforms implemented in the country.

She underlined that Azerbaijan, playing the role of a bridge between the East and the West and located along the Silk Road, had significant strategic importance.

Appreciating culture as an art of life, the Deputy Mayor said Azerbaijani culture played an invaluable role in bringing nations closer and establishing friendly relations.

Welcoming the city's officials, visitors and participants of the exhibition, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in France Elchin Amirbayov noted that the project "Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan - the Pearl of Caucasus", which aims to promote Azerbaijan's old history and rich culture in regions and provinces of France, was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the project's implementation started in late 2012.

Under this project, "Days of Azerbaijan" events have been held in two other cities - Melouse and Strasbourg.

Mentioning that Azerbaijan was in a location where civilizations meet, the ambassador said that although the capital Baku was known as an oil centre in the world, Azerbaijan's national and historic treasures were as rich as the country's subsoil natural wealth.

The ambassador expressed hope that the exhibits displayed at the exhibition would be of special significance for residents of Colmar to discover Azerbaijan, adding that France was a significant partner for Azerbaijan.

First Deputy President of the Regional Council of Alsace, Senator Andre Richard in his speech mentioned his visit to Azerbaijan with a group of other senators and the impressions the visit left upon him.

Richard added that the development of tourism in Azerbaijan gave the French a better opportunity to get acquainted with Azerbaijan, and underlined the necessity of endeavours towards making the nations know each other closer.

He said that as much as Baku, Sheki, Ganja and Gabala differ between one another, the same way Alsace region differs from other regions of France.

The senator noted that his country was interested in developing relations that would serve universal ideas between nations, especially mentioning economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and France, along with the established friendly ties.

Touching upon the issue of unemployment in France, the senator said there were favorable conditions for Azerbaijani investors to invest in his country, including the region of Alsace, and this would play a significant role in the development of partnership, relations between the two countries and, in particular, cultural relations between nations.

Richard called on mass media to broadly cover the "Days of Azerbaijan" event.

Scheduled to continue through February 24, the exhibition displays exhibits reflecting Azerbaijan's history and cultural treasures.

Then, opening a concert of Azerbaijani jazz music organized at the municipal theatre of the city, Mayor Gilbert Mayer expressed hope that cultural treasures of Azerbaijan - the Pearl of Caucasus - would leave positive impressions on the local residents.

Emphasizing the richness of Azerbaijan's cultural treasures, Mayer said exhibits displayed at the exhibition - woman garments, carpets and musical instruments would describe Azerbaijan as a country with ancient history.

Underlining the modernization of Azerbaijan after the collapse of the USSR, the Mayor said the rapid development of Azerbaijan's economy in a short span of time may be a true example for a number of countries.

Mayer added that Azerbaijani Mugham music is an intangible cultural heritage, entered by UNESCO into the list of masterpieces.

Mentioning the grandiose event held last year in Paris to mark the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between France and Azerbaijan, the Mayor underlined that France was the second country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

He further said that a number of French companies were working in Azerbaijan, expressing hope that today's event, which unites the two nations, will serve strengthening the relations between Azerbaijan and France further.

Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov said the concert will provide a good opportunity for Colmar residents to delve into the rich world of Azerbaijani music.

According to him, the jazz music is the evidence of Azerbaijan's rich cultural traditions, and is associated with such well-known Azerbaijani jazzmen as Vagif Mustafazade and Rafig Babayev.

The ambassador also mentioned the mix of classic jazz with traditional mugham music, and said that young Azerbaijani musicians who are the graduates of Baku Jazz School successfully perform at international jazz festivals.

At the concert, along with popular songs, works by European composers were performed by young masters of the art.