On April 6, 2023, a series of events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the “UNESCO Silk Roads Program” were held at the UNESCO headquarters by the Permanent Missions of Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Oman to UNESCO, APA reports.
The event kicked off with the international forum “Silk Roads, Diversity, Dialogue, and Peace.”
At the opening of the forum, Gabriela Ramos, Deputy Director General of UNESCO for Social and Humanitarian Sciences, Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ashkat Oralov, Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, Chen Ji, Deputy Minister of Education of China, Batogtoh Dorjgotov, representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia, and Muati Al Muati, representative of Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, addressed the event.
The forum’s opening address was given by Gabriela Ramos, Deputy Director General of UNESCO for Social and Humanitarian Sciences, Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Askhat Oralov, Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, Chen Jie, Deputy Minister of Education of China, Batogtoh Dorjgotov, representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia, and Muati Al Muati, representative of Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Deputy Minister of Culture S. Yusifova stated during her address that the Silk Roads led to the interchange of culture between the East and the West, that our country supported the restoration of this initiative, and that the “Baku Process” in particular contributed to it.
Permanent Representative Ambassador Elman Abdullayev spoke at the opening of the Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency’s exhibition “Find Your Own Silk Road in Azerbaijan.”
He spoke about the importance of the countries’ shared Silk Road heritage and welcomed member states and the UNESCO secretariat to the exhibition. Our country displayed images of Shirvanshahs Palace, Sheki Khan Palace, Diribaba Tomb, Momina Khatun Tomb, Ateshgah, and other places related to the Silk Roads at the exhibition.
The event concluded with a musical performance. Azerbaijani, Chinese, and Kazakh musicians have demonstrated the beauty of silk road cultures. Our country was represented by pianist Saida Zulfugarova, flute master Agarahim Guliyev, and national dancers. During the musical evening, the duet of S. Zulfugarova and A. Guliyev performed a variety of classical works. Our national dances “Uzundare” and “Naz Eleme” received high praise from the audience.
The event attendees tasted popular delicacies from our national cuisine, such as dolma, rice pilaf, and qutab.
Source: Azeri-Press News Agency