Cannes hosts Azerbaijan Cultural Festival

Yesterday the French city of Cannes hosted the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan Cultural Festival organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The event was attended by the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the head of the working group on inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan-France, Mehriban Aliyeva, members of her family, as well as prominent public and French political figures.

Noting that the ceremony was held on a memorable day – July 14, the National Holiday of France – Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated the French people.

"The relations between France and Azerbaijan are based on friendship, mutual interest and respect, and in recent years they have been developing dynamically in many areas," the president of Heydar Aliyev Foundation said.

Mehriban Aliyeva also noted that over the past few years between 12 cities of Azerbaijan and France agreements have been signed on friendship and cooperation, stressing that such communications create an opportunity for a better acquaintance with our countries and peoples, as well as open new opportunities for the development of relations in the economic and humanitarian spheres.

Also, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation reminded that the first presentation of the First European Games was held in Cannes in 2014. The chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of the European Games added that the Azerbaijani team won 56 medals, 21 of which are gold, and took second place in the unofficial team standings.

Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that Azerbaijan will host the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. It will be another contribution of Azerbaijan to the intercultural dialogue. She also expressed confidence that the fireworks decorating the night sky of Cannes tonight will be one more proof of the friendship between France and Azerbaijan.

Later, the Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard addressed a speech. The mayor spoke about the development of Azerbaijani-French relations in all fields, noting successful cooperation in the field of culture.

Lisnard reminded that the First European Games in Baku were a great success, and Azerbaijan built a modern sports infrastructure in a short time, so the mayor of Cannes is going to turn to the experience of Azerbaijan in the future. "Azerbaijan is an important part of human civilization," Trend cited him as saying.

Lisnar added that he is going to visit Azerbaijan together with an official delegation consisting of representatives of culture, tourism and sports in the near future.

After that, the traditional Pyrotechnics Arts festival in Cannes was launched. The national anthems of France and Azerbaijan were played, as Azerbaijan was first to perform at the festival. It was accompanied by the works of the outstanding Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Fikret Amirov, Gara Garayev, Tofig Guliyev, Muslum Magomayev, Alekber Tagiyev and a performance by eminent master of mugham, Alim Gasymov.

Various banners praising Azerbaijan have already been installed in the city of Cannes in connection with the days of culture.The Days of Azerbaijani Culture will be held in Cannes on July 14-31. Within the framework of the events, various programs will take place to represent Azerbaijan’s culture, national and jazz music, and its art immortalizing tradition and modernity.