Head of Nobel's Family Society: "Most of our relatives are fed from childhood with stories and memories from Azerbaijan and Russia"

- What can you tell about the first financial capital of Nobel’s family?

The father of Robert, Ludvig and Alfred Nobel was Immanuel Nobel and he started a mechanical industry in St Petersburg already in the middle of the 19th century. When he left for Sweden after economical problems Robert and Ludvig took over. They did extremely well and the industry was very prosperous. So when Robert saw the possibilities with the oil in Azerbaijan they had financial resources to build the enterprise in Azerbaijan. And during the first 20 years they also received substantial financial support from their brother Alfred who had made a fortune on the dynamite.

- What does it mean for you to be a member of the Nobel’s family?

- It means to share a fantastic history with the rest of my family. And I am very interested in history and am eager to know more about our family’s activities in Azerbaijan and Russia. But as the name Nobel is so well known around the world it also means that there constantly arise situations where people try to use the name for different purposes. And from time to time there are initiatives to create new prizes connected to the name Nobel. In our family society we have a very close collaboration with the Nobel Foundations (the organization that are responsible for the Nobel Prices) trying to stop this attempts to misuse.

To summarize the answer; for me as the chairman of our society the main objectives are the two P:s. To Promote the fantastic history of our family and at the same time to Protect the name.

- The Nobel's is mostly associated with oil in Azerbaijan. Which associations does this surname create in the world – dynamite, oil, wealth, charity, annual Nobel awards or anything else and why?

- Our name is one the most well known around the world and that is of course due to the well-known Nobel prices that in the academic world are the far most prestigious scientific prizes. The connection between our name and the oil industry is unknown for most people around the world – except in Caucasus and in some parts of Russia. And that is something we would like to change through information

- It is well known to everyone that Baku oil also played a definite role in raising the capital of the Nobel’s family. What do you remember about the Baku period of Nobel’s activity?

- Most of our relatives are fed from childhood with stories and memories from Azerbaijan and Russia. And there are some good books about the activities but for me personally it was first when I visited your country that I could grasp the importance of the Nobel Brothers oil industry.

- What is your impression of Baku?

- I have been there three times with the first visit in 2002. And the main impression is the fantastic economic growth and all the constructions that are under way.

- All those, who visit the Caucasus, especially Azerbaijan, tell much about the national cuisine. What impressions did you have about the Azerbaijani national cuisine?

- It is different from the Swedish cuisine where we usually have entree, main course and perhaps a dessert. The tradition in your country with many small dishes that you can choose from is something I really appreciate.

- Have you visited the buildings, which belonged to the Nobel’s family in the early 20th century in Baku and which feelings did you have then?

- Yes I have visited many of them both in Baku and in the oilfield of Balachany. The houses that were built for the workers impressed me and that many of them still was in good shape. When I first visited Baku the Villa Petrolea was in ruins but has now been beautifully restored.

- What do you plan about cooperation and contacts with Azerbaijan?

- I can give you one example. There is a group organized by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Republic who are planning to create an exhibition that will consist of photos and documents showing the Nobel’s life in Baku that never have been displayed in Azerbaijan or abroad. And further more extracts of documentary films made in Azerbaijan showing the history of Nobel brothers and their involvement in the Azerbaijan oil industry. The exhibition will then be shown in Azerbaijan, Norway and Sweden and the Nobel family society are participating in this and will support it.

/Day.Az/