Azerbaijan celebrates Heydar Aliyev's anniversary

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan has celebrated the 92nd birthday anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Every year on May 10 from early morning, members of the public, people who have come to Baku from different cities and regions of the country, as well as visitors to the capital descend on the Alley of Honor to pay tribute to the cherished memory of Heydar Aliyev and put flowers at his grave.

On this birthday anniversary President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, family members, relatives and friends of the national leader visited the Alley of Honors.

President Aliyev laid a wreath at the grave of the national leader. The national anthem of Azerbaijan was played.

Then, the head of state and his family members also laid flowers at the graves of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, outstanding statesman Aziz Aliyev, renowned doctor and scientist Tamerlan Aliyev.

The ceremony of paying tribute to national leader Heydar Aliyev was joined by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, ministers, heads of committees and companies, MPs.

Colorful ‘Flower Festival’ in Baku

A traditional ‘Flower Festival’ has been arranged in the park outside the Heydar Aliyev Palace and the Central City Park behind the palace in Baku on the occasion.

The head of state, his spouse and family members attended the festival.

These places of recreation which are popular among residents and visitors of Baku were turned into a wonderful flower garden on May 10.

The whole area has been decorated with interesting compositions – floral carpets with beautiful designs, pictures of flowers, plants and leaves, figures of birds and fairy tale characters made up of flowers of various colors.

All of these are filled with artistic expression, demonstrating the endless possibilities of beauty.

The head of state, his wife and family members chatted warmly with kids as they gathered in the park. They took several photographs together.

The Flower Festival is celebrated in the country’s capital Baku and regions since 2000.

Hundreds of different kinds of beautiful flowers from all over the world including Brazil, France, Turkey, Holland, Italy and China decorate the park, giving it an excellent spring mood.

The festival is culminated with a magnificent firework at the national seaside boulevard.

Solemn ceremony

A solemn ceremony to mark the 92nd birthday anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and 11th anniversary of the establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was held on the same day.

President Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their family members attended the ceremony.

The head of state made a speech at the ceremony.

Following, a ceremony to present the “Heydar Aliyev” award was held.

First the president’s order to confer the “Heydar Aliyev” award upon Azerbaijan’s People's Artist Tahir Salahov was read out.

President Aliyev presented the award to the proclaimed artist.

The ceremony featured the demonstration of a documentary on national leader Heydar Aliyev’s activities.

Winners of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s “Gizil chinar” international award 2015 were also announced.

The first lady handed “Gizil chinar” awards to famous cultural expert Herve Mikaeloff for his support of the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the field of culture and his active participation in promoting Azerbaijan’s culture.

Mehriban Aliyeva also awarded the title of People's Artist to a prominent figure of Mugham art, Aghakhan Abdullayev for the protection of ancient folk music Mugham heritage, development of school of Mugham performance, training of a new generation of Mugham performers, and his contribution to the development of Azerbaijani culture.

Addressing the event, Herve Mikaeloff and Aghakhan Abdullayev expressed gratefulness for the award.

The solemn ceremony was followed by a concert.