The memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev honored with deep respect in Berlin
On December 11, an event dedicated to the commemoration day of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, was held at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Berlin at the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Germany.
The event opened with a minute of silence in tribute to the cherished memory of Heydar Aliyev, followed by the screening of a documentary film produced by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and devoted to the life and legacy of the outstanding statesman.
In his address, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Germany, Nasimi Aghayev, spoke about the historic role of Heydar Aliyev in strengthening Azerbaijani statehood. He recalled that in the early years of independence Azerbaijan faced grave challenges — Armenia’s military aggression, internal unrest, the collapse of state institutions, and a profound crisis across all spheres of public life. It was through the wisdom, foresight, and determination of the National Leader that the country was saved from fragmentation and set on a course toward stability and sustainable development.
The ambassador emphasized that Heydar Aliyev’s greatest aspiration was the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, a goal that was ultimately achieved under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev.
Nasimi Aghayev noted that the legacy of Heydar Aliyev lives on in Azerbaijan’s present-day achievements and continues to inspire those committed to the ideals of peace, tolerance, progress, and international cooperation. He underlined that the exhibition “The Homeland Is in Our Hearts,” featuring works by Azerbaijani artists living in Germany, embodies these very values, reflecting the devotion to national identity and respect for cultural heritage consistently championed by the Great Leader.
The event continued with the official opening of the exhibition “Homeland in the Heart”, dedicated to the memory of Heydar Aliyev.
Speaking at the ceremony, Isa Mammadov, Deputy Director of the Cultural Center, highlighted Heydar Aliyev’s profound love for his homeland and people, as well as his unwavering support for the development of national culture and the arts. The exhibition, he noted, showcases the strong emotional bond that Azerbaijani artists living abroad maintain with their homeland, inspired by the ideas of the Great Leader. Every color, form, and brushstroke reflects an enduring and heartfelt love for Azerbaijan.
People’s Artist Ashraf Heybətov and artist Margarita Karimova-Sokolova emphasized that Azerbaijani painters and sculptors who have lived in Germany for many years continue to carry their homeland in their hearts and express this connection through their creative work. They described the dedication of the exhibition to Heydar Aliyev as a meaningful tribute to his unparalleled contribution to the preservation, development, and promotion of Azerbaijan’s national and spiritual values.
Following the speeches, guests viewed the exhibition.
More than 35 works by Azerbaijani painters and sculptors residing in Germany were on display, including pieces by Ashraf Heybatov, Margarita Karimova-Sokolova, Arif Amirov, Farid Ismayilov, Alexandr Guliyev, Gunay Shamsi, Ilgar Sheydayev, Jamala Rahmanli and Taleh Mirkazim. The artworks reflect a deep sense of patriotism and a strong attachment to national roots.
The exhibition attracted great interest from attendees.
