For several years now, symposia, conferences, forums, and exhibitions have been regularly held in Guba city at the “Genocide Memorial Complex” with the broad participation of the public. Today, the 3rd Guba Symposium titled “Reserves and Museums – A Bridge from the Past to the Future” has started its work at the complex.
The symposium is organized by the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in Guba. The event was attended by Saida Abasova, the Deputy Head of the Guba District Executive Authority, Sabuhi Bashirov, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection at the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, Sadagat Aliyeva, Vice Rector for Science and Creative Affairs, Honored Cultural Worker, and Associate Professor of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, local administrators, leaders of cultural institutions operating in the country, museum staff, historical monument custodians, intellectuals, and young activists.
After an exhibition featuring works by Azerbaijani Artists’ Union members – Sahib Guliyev and Vugar Guliyev, the symposium officially began.
The Director of the complex, Dr. Rakhshanda Bayramova, greeting the participants, shared that the “Genocide Memorial Complex” has been operating in Guba since 2013. Over the course of 12 years, the complex has hosted more than 1 million visitors, including over 200,000 foreigners. Regular symposia, conferences, and forums have been organized at the complex. Dr. Bayramova noted that the symposium plays a crucial role in the development of reserve and museum work, the protection of monuments, guidance services, and increasing public interest in reserves and museums.
In her speech, Saida Abasova, Deputy Head of the Guba District Executive Authority, emphasized that the knowledge and experience gained through the symposium would contribute to enhancing the quality of reserve and museum work in the region and the country, and further successes in the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.
Sabuhi Beshirov, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also addressed the audience, discussing various projects implemented by the Ministry related to the protection, restoration, and promotion of historical and cultural monuments, and the use of these monuments at both national and international levels.
Subsequent speakers highlighted the significance of the symposium and emphasized that museums and reserves play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.
After the official part, during the sectional meetings that continued throughout the day, scientific discussions were held on topics such as “The Historical and Contemporary Role of Reserves and Museums,” “Cultural Heritage Preservation and Digitization,” “Monument Restoration and Conservation,” “Museology and Education,” “Exhibit Presentation and Innovative Approaches in Reserves and Museums,” “Guidance and Visitor Experience Enhancement,” “Increasing Public Interest in Reserves and Museums and Reserve-Museum Marketing,” “Reserve and Museum Management and Strategic Leadership,” “Inclusivity and Accessibility in Reserves and Museums,” “Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies in Reserves and Museums,” “Opportunities for Global and Local Cooperation between Reserves and Museums,” “Promoting Reserves and Museums on Social Media,” “The Relationship Between Literature and Reserves/Museums: Interactive Presentation of Historical and Cultural Heritage,” and “Musical Presentations in Reserves and Museums.”
It is worth mentioning that around 80 scientific papers were presented within the framework of the symposium, with more than 100 participants attending, and a collection of materials from the symposium has been prepared.
