Mehriban Aliyeva attends closing ceremony of Days of Azerbaijani culture end in Italy - UPDATE - PHOTOS

The Days of Azerbaijani culture in Italy have culminated with a grand ceremony at Auditorium Parco della Musica complex in Rome.

The closing ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and the Foundation`s vice-president Leyla Aliyeva.

The event, initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was supported by Azerbaijan`s embassy to Italy and the Office of the Mayor of Rome.

Prior to the ceremony the Azerbaijani first lady had a meeting with Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno. The Mayor of Rome said he was well aware of Mehriban Aliyeva`s activity. Gianni Alemanno stressed the importance of developing the Azerbaijan-Italy cultural relations. He said the newly-launched Baku-Rome flight was a goo opportunity for him to familiarize himself with the Azerbaijani capital.

Mehriban Aliyeva thanked the Mayor of Rome for his assistance in erecting a monument to great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi in the Italian capital. She hailed the organization of the Days of Azerbaijani culture in Italy, emphasizing the importance of arranging such events in the future.

The Mayor of Rome presented the Azerbaijani first lady with a keepsake. Speaking to the closing ceremony Azerbaijani ambassador in Rome Vagif Sadigov said the Days of Azerbaijani culture were a success. He expressed confidence the Days would contribute to developing the relations between Azerbaijan and Italy.

The ambassador said Italy was one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan.
Vagif Sadigov hailed the humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
The Mayor of Rome said much had been done recently to develop the Azerbaijan-Italy relations.

Gianni Alemanno said the erection of the Nizami Ganjavi monument in Rome would contribute to deepening the two countries` cultural cooperation.

The ceremony featured a gala concert involving the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble and Buta chamber choir, which performed Azerbaijani folk songs and compositions.

The Days of Azerbaijani culture in Italy kicked off at the Carignano theatre in Torino on April 16, and then continued in Milan and Venice before closing in capital Rome.

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21.04.12
10:39

Azerbaijan`s first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and head of International Relations Desk-Cabinet of the Mayor of Rome Serena Forni yesterday unveiled a monument to great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi in Villa Borghese park in the Italian capital.

 They laid a wreath at the monument. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the ceremony was organized in collaboration with Azerbaijan`s Embassy to Italy.

The monument was erected in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev`s executive order on celebration of Nizami Ganjavi`s 870th anniversary and promotion of its heritage in the world.
Addressing the event, the head of International Relations Desk-Cabinet of the Mayor of Rome thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for attending the ceremony.

She described the erection of the monument to Nizami Ganjavi as the symbol of friendly relations between the two countries. Serena Forni said that as a result of Mehriban Aliyeva`s efforts a series of events had recently been held in Rome.

The head of International Relations Desk-Cabinet of the Mayor of Rome stressed the importance of an event marking the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan`s independence, which was held in the Italian capital last year.

Professor of the Naples Eastern University Minelli Bernardini hailed Nizami Ganjavi`s works.
Bernardini noted the Azerbaijani poet was well-known in Italy, adding his works had been translated into Italian.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijan`s first lady Mehriban Aliyeva said Nizami Ganjavi was one of the most prominent figures in Azerbaijan`s culture and history. Mrs. Aliyeva said that on the occasion of the outstanding poet`s 850th anniversary UNESCO declared 1991 the year of Ni?ami Ganjavi.

The first lady underlined the poet`s mausoleum in Ganja was under the protection of the Azerbaijani government. She also touched upon the Azerbaijan-Italy relations, saying the two countries were partners in all fields.

Mehriban Aliyeva said “Fly to Baku” exhibition reflecting Azerbaijan`s modern art will be organized in Italy late this year. The authors of the monument to Nizami Ganjavi are people`s artist Salkhab Mammadov and honored artist Ali Ibadullayev

The project was approved by the Rome City Hall Commission on the history and art.