28 May Azərbaycan xalqının XX əsr tarixində ən əlamətdar, ən fəxarətli, uğurlu hadisələrlə, gözəl bayramlarla zəngin bir aydır. Bu gözəl may günlərinin biri- respublikamızın hər yerində təntənəli şəkildə qeyd olunan, öyrənilən, yenidən yaşanan və ölməzlik qazanan 28 May Respublika Günü – Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyətinin əsasının qoyulduğu gündür. Azərbaycan Xalq Cumhuriyyətinin 100 illiiyi ərəfəsində 28.05.2018-ci il tarixində Quba şəhərində “Soyqırımı Memorial Kompleksi”nin tədbirlər planına əsasən, Xaçmaz şəhəri Z. Əliyeva adına 8 nömrəli tam orta məktəbinin şagirdlərinin iştirakı ilə “Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyəti” mövzusunda viktorina təşkil edilmişdir. Sualları cavablandıran fəal şagirdlər kitab və hədiyyələrlə mükafatlandırılmışdır.
Located in Baku Seaside National Park, “Mirvari” Café is one of the city’s main symbols, distinguished by its unique architecture, rich history, and special atmosphere.
“Mirvari” Café was built on the initiative of Alish Lambaranski, Chairman of the Baku City Executive Committee. Inspired by the “Los Manantiales” restaurant built in Mexico by the Spanish architect Félix Candela, “Mirvari” Café was constructed in a modern style under the leadership of Vadim Shulgin and opened in 1962, bringing a new beauty to Baku.
During the construction of the café, particular attention was paid to the originality of the structure and its harmony with the local landscape. In its interior, the design shaped like a large wave complements the local modern architectural style. The exterior of the café creates a distinctive appearance with its reinforced-concrete structure resembling a pearl shell. This construction blends perfectly with the Caspian Sea coastline, and from the café’s terrace, a beautiful view of Baku Bay can be seen.
Spending time here meant not only having a meal, but also experiencing Baku’s culture and social life. During the Soviet period, this place was also a gathering spot for young people and a venue where the “Gaya” vocal-instrumental ensemble performed.
In Valencia, Spain, “The Oceanographic” oceanarium, built in 2003 by architect Félix Candela, resembles Baku’s “Mirvari” Café. This cultural connection across different geographies is truly fascinating.
Even today, “Mirvari” is considered one of the most prestigious places in the city. Having a cup of coffee here also means taking a journey into Baku’s history. The café was restored in 2008 based on a project prepared jointly with German specialists.
Daşınar mədəni irsin qorunması istiqamətində görülən tədbirlər nəticəsində 880 eksponat bərpa-konservasiya edilib, 362 eksponat üzrə isə müvafiq işləri davam etdirilir. Arxeoloji irsin öyrənilməsi məqsədilə 24 arxeoloji ekspedisiyanın aparılmasına icazə verilib, həyata keçirilən arxeoloji qazıntılar nəticəsində isə 636 artefakt aşkar edilərək müvafiq tədbirlər görülüb.
Hesabat dövründə 3134 ədəd mədəni sərvətin ixracına dair mühafizə şəhadətnamələri və 122 muzey əşyaları və kolleksiyaların müvəqqəti ölkədən kənara çıxarılmasına icazə verilib. İxracı nəzərdə tutulan 65 mədəni sərvət üzrə isə ekspertizalar təşkil olunub.
2026-cı ilin birinci yarısında Dövlət Xidmətinin tabeliyində fəaliyyət göstərən muzey və qoruqlara ümumilikdə 463 965 nəfər ziyarətçi gəlib. Onlardan 342 305 nəfəri muzeyləri, 121 660 nəfəri isə qoruqları ziyarət edib. Rəqəmsal platformalar vasitəsilə 138 718 bilet və ekskursiya xidməti satılıb.
Qoruqlar arasında ən çox ziyarət edilən məkan 63 906 ziyarətçi ilə Qobustan Milli Tarix-Bədii Qoruğu olub.
Baku White City is one of the largest-scale projects in Azerbaijan’s modern urban development history. The project is being implemented within the framework of the “Comprehensive Action Plan for Improving the Environmental Situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2006–2010,” approved by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and pursuant to an order issued by the Baku City Executive Authority on 11 June 2007. Its main objective is to transform the area known for many years as the Black City industrial zone into a modern and environmentally sustainable urban space. Covering 1,650 hectares, the project aims to establish the eastern part of Baku as a new centre of development. In accordance with the Master Plan, ten urban-style districts combining residential, business, recreational, and social infrastructure are being developed here. Azerbaijani specialists were involved in preparing the project alongside Atkins, Foster + Partners, and F+A Architects.
The area where Baku White City is located has been developed on the historical legacy of Black City, which emerged in the late nineteenth century. Once known for oil refining, storage, and transportation, the area played an important role in Baku’s industrial development. Today, it is being redeveloped based on modern architecture, green spaces, and environmental standards. By applying contemporary urban-planning approaches, the project also creates favourable opportunities for investment and business.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Baku White City was held on 24 December 2011 with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The first residential neighbourhood, the Green Island district, was inaugurated on 24 December 2016. The Office Building, regarded as Baku White City’s first landmark structure, opened on 24 December 2014. Designed by Atkins, it was the first building in the region to receive BREEAM environmental certification. With its contemporary architectural style, high environmental standards, and functional infrastructure, Baku White City is considered one of the capital’s new symbols of development. By preserving its historical heritage while looking towards the future, the project represents a successful example of Baku’s sustainable development strategy.
The meeting was attended by a Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Minister of Culture Giorgi Mirtskhulava. The Azerbaijani delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov.
During the meeting, the current state of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as prospects for its future development, were discussed in detail. It was noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries provides a solid foundation for the continued expansion of cooperation in the field of culture.
In his remarks, Farid Jafarov stated that Azerbaijan and Georgia are united by a shared history, a rich cultural heritage and long-standing traditions of good-neighbourly relations. He emphasised that, in recent years, cultural cooperation has gained new substance and developed into a systematic partnership covering such areas as library services, museum activities, theatre, the protection of cultural heritage, visual arts, creative industries, cinema and digital transformation.
First Deputy Minister of Culture of Georgia Giorgi Mirtskhulava expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and noted Georgia’s interest in further developing cultural and humanitarian relations with Azerbaijan.
The meeting covered issues related to theatre tours and joint stage productions, cooperation between museums and libraries, the protection of cultural heritage, the organisation of exhibitions, creative industries, joint initiatives in the field of cinema, and the exchange of professional expertise.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties emphasised that the Joint Working Group serves as an important platform for further deepening cultural cooperation between the two countries. They expressed their agreement to implement projects of mutual interest and further expand bilateral ties in the future.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the third meeting of the Joint Working Group between the Ministries of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia. The document sets out the agreed areas for the development of cooperation in the field of culture.
As part of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s “e-Culture” Digital Development Strategy, measures are continuing to improve the quality of services provided to citizens in the field of cultural heritage.
In this regard, the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture is introducing a new model designed to ensure that citizen applications are received more promptly, transparently and in accordance with the “single-window” principle.
Without visiting physical service locations, citizens can create a personal account on the “MyCulture” portal, access electronic services, submit applications online and track their processing status in real time.
The introduction of electronic services facilitates the integration of processes into the digital environment, increases operational efficiency, minimises time loss and enables applications to be managed through transparent and traceable mechanisms. Ultimately, this contributes to greater citizen satisfaction.
In addition, citizen applications are accepted at the Citizen Reception Centre located at 84 Uzeyir Hajibeyli Street, Baku — Government House, Entrance 4, first floor.
The Centre’s activities are aimed at expanding citizens’ access to electronic services, encouraging the submission of applications through the digital platform at https://my.culture.az, ensuring that services are delivered promptly and transparently, minimising direct contact between citizens and public officials, and increasing citizen satisfaction.
Individuals applying to the Citizen Reception Centre receive technical and informational support from “Heritage Friend” volunteers on the use of the electronic system. They are also assisted with preparing applications and other required documents.
These measures have been implemented in accordance with the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Cultural Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan and form part of broader efforts to improve citizens’ access to cultural services.
It should be noted that the State Service provides the following electronic services through the “MyCulture” portal at https://my.culture.az:
– Approval of relevant projects for restoration, conservation, repair, reconstruction, regeneration and other works on immovable historical and cultural monuments or their individual parts;
– Approval for converting residential premises belonging to state-protected immovable historical and cultural monuments into non-residential premises, or non-residential premises into residential premises;
– Permission to carry out construction and other economic activities in areas where immovable historical and cultural monuments are discovered during such works;
– Approval for construction and landscaping works in reserves and protected zones surrounding monuments;
– Approval for the purchase and sale of immovable historical and cultural monuments;
– Approval for leasing privately owned immovable historical and cultural monuments, as well as residential and non-residential premises belonging to them.
The State Service invites citizens to submit their applications through the digital system.
The Panah Ali Khan Palace is one of the principal monuments of the historic Imarat Complex located in the city of Aghdam. The palace was constructed in the eighteenth century, approximately between 1751 and 1752, by Panah Ali Khan Javanshir, the founder of the Karabakh Khanate. It served as the residence of the Karabakh khans and was regarded as one of the important political centres of its time. With its distinctive architectural style, the palace reflects the rich cultural heritage of Karabakh.
During the occupation of the Aghdam District on 23 July 1993, the palace sustained severe damage. Throughout the occupation, many parts of the monument were destroyed, and it was left in a state of neglect. Following the liberation of the Aghdam District from occupation on 20 November 2020, extensive restoration and reconstruction work was carried out to restore the palace. The official opening of the restored Imarat Complex and the Panah Ali Khan Palace took place on 19 September 2024. Today, the palace is preserved as one of the most valuable examples of Karabakh’s historical and cultural heritage and is open to visitors.
The event was moderated by Mehriban Aliyeva, Deputy Director of the Complex. During the webinar, lawyer Alakbar Guliyev delivered a speech and provided information about the legal and social impacts of corruption, the problems it creates in public administration, and mechanisms for combating it.
Later, Vusala Babirova, an employee of the “Chiraggala–Shabran” State Historical and Cultural Reserve, spoke about the negative effects of corruption on public administration and the principles of transparency, emphasizing the importance of public oversight and awareness-raising in preventing such cases.
As part of the webinar, participants exchanged views on the topic, asked questions, and discussed practical approaches.
Around 30 employees of the State Service participated in the webinar.
June 15 – National Salvation Day holds a special place in our history as a significant turning point in the destiny of the Azerbaijani people. This day is of great importance in terms of preserving our country’s traditions of statehood and strengthening our independence.
During the difficult and challenging days of 1993, Azerbaijan faced a deep political crisis. The return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to political power, at the insistence of the people, laid the foundation for restoring stability in the country, strengthening state governance, and ensuring civil harmony.
June 15 is not only the anniversary of a historic event but also a symbol of the people taking their destiny into their own hands, a symbol of the triumph of national unity and the ideals of statehood. From this day onward, Azerbaijan entered a new stage of development, progress, and stability.
The conference was held on the theme “The Political Stability Brought to Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev.” Employees from various reserves under the State Service participated in the event and delivered speeches on the topic.
During the speeches, the significant role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in strengthening Azerbaijani statehood, ensuring socio-political stability in the country, and preserving independence was highlighted.
It was noted that June 15 – National Salvation Day is regarded as an important turning point in Azerbaijan’s history and is considered one of the key political foundations for the country’s path toward stable development. It was emphasized that the strategic policy implemented by the Great Leader created a solid foundation for the long-term development of the state.
At the end, participants’ questions were answered and an extensive exchange of views was held on the topic.
The Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Turkmenistan continue with a rich program. On June 5, at the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan named after Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi in the capital Ashgabat, the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Pearls of Azerbaijani National Heritage” was held, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event featured speeches by Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursakhet Shirimov, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, and Director of the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Ismail Orazov.
During the exhibition tour for guests, it was noted that the presentation includes the exhibition “Our National Heritage in the Works of Azim Azimzade” from the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, traditional and автор-designed carpets from the collection of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, as well as exhibitions of traditional crafts and a fashion presentation titled “National Patterns in Modern Fashion.”
The exposition presents works of People’s Artist Azim Azimzade (1880–1943), one of the founders of professional Azerbaijani graphic art, along with museum exhibits that recreate the environments depicted in his works.
The exhibition also features knotted and flatwoven carpets and carpet products from the 19th century to the present day, as well as artistic metalwork and embroidery samples. The display is further enriched by works of People’s Artist Eldar Mikayilzade.
Samples related to the kurama (patchwork) art are also included in the exhibition space. The kuramas created by the late Khalida Nasirova represent a vivid expression of Turkic worldview.
Shabaka art—luminous compositions made of colored glass—is demonstrated in a master-class format by artisan Huseyn Hajimustafazade from Shaki. Jewelry-making traditions are presented by artisan Fuzuli Alizade.
The exhibition also features a clothing collection titled “National Patterns in Modern Fashion” by well-known fashion designer Gulnara Khalilova and young designer Anara Zakirli.
Overall, the exhibition, which serves the comprehensive presentation of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, has been received with strong interest by visitors.
An educational seminar was organized at the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex in Guba city within the framework of “18 May–18 June: Human Rights Month in Azerbaijan.”
During the seminar, Orkhan Huseynov, a guide of the Complex, informed the teachers and students of the Isnovgishlag village secondary school named after the Sərvər and Shamsaddin Shamiev brothers of Guba district. He noted that since the restoration of independence, Azerbaijan has implemented consistent reforms in the protection of human rights and freedoms, alongside other sectors.
It was emphasized that events organized within “Human Rights Month” play an important role in promoting human rights in the country, as well as in protecting the rights of different age groups and addressing their issues.
At the end, an exchange of views was held on the topic and questions raised by participants were answered.
A meeting was organized regarding the operations of historical and cultural reserves under the management of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, the improvement of the quality of cultural services provided, and the involvement of volunteers within the “Heritage Friend” volunteer program.
During the meeting, Deputy Head of the State Service, Ayaz Musayibov, emphasized the importance of improving the management of historical and cultural reserves, protecting cultural heritage, and increasing public participation in this field. He also noted that a special program is being prepared to attract investments for the development of historical and cultural reserves.
The meeting included an exchange of views on planned activities for the development of the reserves and ensuring the implementation of the volunteer program.
