Azerbaijani president visits country's Shamakhi region - UPDATE

Nov. 27
09:47

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev opened Baku-Shamakhi motor highway after complete reconstruction.

The President cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the road.

Transport minister Ziya Mammadov told the Head of State the width of the highway was 15-22 meters, and that it featured 7 bridges.

President Ilham Aliyev chatted with constructors here.

x x x

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev inspected reconstruction works at Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory.

The observatory was founded in 1959 in initiatives of Azerbaijan`s prominent scientists Hasan Aliyev and Yusif Mammadaliyev.

It is 10 km away from Shamakhi at the altitude of 1500 m above the sea level. The observatory has six telescopes, and also features a 40-apartment 5-storied and five 2-storied house buildings, several cottages and a hotel.

In 2008 and 2009 President Ilham Aliyev ordered allocation of 5 and 3 million manats respectively for strengthening financial and technical resources of the observatory and starting its reconstruction.

The President chatted with constructors here.

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with reconstruction work done in a Center of Culture here.

A photo stand was created in the center`s foyer featuring what national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev have done to protect and develop culture of Azerbaijan.

The Head of State was informed that the reconstruction work was started in 2007 and completed in 2008.

The center includes modern lighting system and a hall for 300 people.
President Ilham Aliyev listened to the songs sung by children.

x x x

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated Azerelektronika household appliances plant in Shamakhi on Nov. 26.

After pushing a start button, the President toured the facility which produces air conditioners. The facility`s production capacity is 600,000 air conditioners per year, and there are plans to start manufacture of refrigerators and vacuum cleaners in future.

-----------

Nov. 26
17:33

Today, President Ilham Aliyev visited Seyid Azim Shirvani Regional History Museum as part of his visit to Shamakhi.

The museum was founded in 1945 and underwent reconstruction in 2008. The two-storey building of the museum occupies a space of around of 1,097 square meters and a huge museum hall of 325 square meters.

The museum cares for 1,061 different objects placed in seven sections. Generally, the museum housed 8,392 main and 600 auxiliary items. The museum also holds the model of Shamakhi, manufactured by German travelers in 18th century, and an exposition of flora and fauna of Shamakhi.

Monuments to 12 eminent personalities have been raised outside the musuem.

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev has today inspected reconstruction work in the Heydar Aliyev park here.

The green area of the park was expanded.

The amenities of the park also include 5 fountains, cafe, children`s entertainment center, leisure centers.

x x x

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today visited a chess school here.

The Head of State was informed that the school had been reconstructed at the initiative and with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The two-storey building covers an area of 2116 square meters.

It was equipped with modern facilities.

----------

16:33

President Ilham Aliyev visited the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi region.

The head of state was informed that the Mosque, the second oldest religious center in the South Caucasus, was built in 743.

The mosque hit by a strong earthquake in 1859 was restored later.

The mosque damaged by the second quake in 1902 was restored owing to the project of the first Azerbaijani educated architect Zivar bay Ahmadbayov and polish engineer Iosif Ploshko.

In 1918, Armenian dashnaks committed massacre in the Juma Mosque by burning 1800 local residents - children, women and the old. During the 70-80s, the repair work was carried out in the mosque, where madrasahs, cells and tombs were discovered.

The mosque will be restored as a part of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s project "Azerbaijan- home to tolerance."

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev today attended inauguration ceremony of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Shamakhi city, one of the cultural centers of country.

Head of the Azerbaijan State got acquainted with the Center`s facilities. He was informed about the construction history of the 3-storey Center built in the territory of Heydar Aliyev Park.

As was informed, the Center includes multimedia, national craftsmanship, painting circles, e-library, computer center and other sectors.

The Center features rich photo and film materials depicting the lifetime political activity of the national leader.

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev has today inaugurated a new building for the New Azerbaijan Party`s (YAP) Shamakhi regional branch.

The Head of State cut a ribbon symbolizing opening of the building.

The construction work here began in May.

The President saw a bas-relief to founder of the New Azerbaijan Party Heydar Aliyev.

The total area of the building is 516 sq.m.

-----------

14:16

As part of his visit to Shamakhi,President Aliyev laid flowers at the monument to the national leader in the Heydar Aliyev Park.
14:36

He head of state participated in the opening ceremony of the Regional Treatment Diagnostic Center.

The president addressed the event.

The Regional Treatment Diagnostic Center has been built and equipped with modern devices at the expenses of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).

The head of state also inaugurated Azerelektronika household devices plant of Evsen Group of Companies.

/APA, AzerTaj/