A meeting of the Azerbaijani Cultural Ambassadors was held at the Azerbaijani Culture Centre in Rome, the capital of Italy. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Italy and State Committee on Work with Diaspora.

At the meeting, firstly, laureate of international competitions, conductor, and composer Abuzar Manafzade performed the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, after which video was demonstrated.

Speaking at the meeting, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Italy Rashad Aslanov, expressed his satisfaction at seeing the country’s artists and cultural figures in Rome and spoke about the activities of the Cultural Center of Azerbaijan in Italy.

Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli in his speech stated that each participant of the event are the valuable compatriots distinguished by their special achievements in various fields of our culture, contribute to its promotion, carry Azerbaijan national identity regardless of where they live, and noted that their contributions to the promotion of Azerbaijan and its rich culture, as well as loyalty to the homeland, are of importance.

Stating that conducting the event on the eve of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis contains a special meaning, Adil Karimli noted that these events reinforce our national unity, triggers the global recognition of our culture, and play an essential role in the presentation of cultural values to the international society.

Minister stated that Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage has always been protected with a special attention and care by the state throughout the history, enriched and delivered to the next generations, and emphasized that National Leader Haydar Aliyev, who indicated special care for the development of our culture, paid a great significance to revealing the artists’ potential, supporting young talents, expanding their professional abilities through study abroad.

Minister concluded his speech by mentioning that “the development of the culture has become one of the priority directions of state policy under President Ilham Aliyev, and continuous and productive steps are being taken towards the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. The First Vice President, the President of Haydar Aliyev Foundation, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva’s attention towards the talented individuals and artists, as well as her valuable contribution to the recognition of national, cultural values at the international sphere creates a basis for the enrichment of our cultural treasury. As a consequence of this active support, Azerbaijani culture spread to broad geographies, and our representatives of art promote our culture at world’s prestigious stages”.

Chair of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov talked about the activity of Diaspora, stated the crucial role of the fellow citizens, living abroad, play in international promotion of the country’s culture.

Deputy Director of the Cultural Committee of Milli Majlis, Gunay Efendiyeva, stated that cultural ambassadors participating in the event provide special services in the promotion of Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.

Afterwards, a video about Azerbaijan culture and art was illustrated.

Prominent Azerbaijani theatre and film actor, Honored Art Worker, People’s Artist, director, Professor at Chukurova University Jahangir Novruzov, Chairperson of the Union of the Composers of Azerbaijan, People’s Artist Firangiz Alizadeh, Head of the “Toghrul Narimanbeyov” Association in France, teacher at the “Natavan” weekend school, Associate Professor at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, Honored Artist Asmar Narimanbeyova, professor at Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy, People’s Artist Yalcin Adigozalov, Director of the Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg, People’s Artist, prominent theatre and cinema actor Fakhraddin Manafov and Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, People’s Writer Chingiz Abdullayev delivered speeches highlighting the significance of the meeting and spoke about the constant care provided by the state to the representatives of art and culture.

At the end, a memory picture was taken.