Baku has hosted the architectural presentation of the Heydar Aliyev Center, which is recognized as one of the world’s masterpieces in architecture.

The event was attended by Azerbaijani officials, representatives of foreign countries, and acclaimed architects, including Zaha Hadid, who designed the Center.

Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva attended a concert on the occasion.

Speaking to the presentation, director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov said: “Nationwide development works carried out in all regions of Azerbaijan, which develops each day, thanks to the successful policy of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, create a new image of our country.” “During recent years, rare masterpieces that attract attention by the idea and architecture have been constructed in our capital.” Alakbarov said: “One of them is the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center that is differs by its modernity and multiple functions. With its original style, the building makes Baku’s architectural structure particularly attractive.”

Zaha Hadid, a worldwide recognized architect and the winner of Pritzker Architecture Prize, thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva for inviting her to Baku. She said construction of the complex, which was almost an impossible task, was an incredible experience for her and her team. “It is amazing. This has been a really incredible experience for us.”

“I also want to thank our old friends and our new friends who came here from all around the world. It’s really very humbling for me to have this experience. And it is a great honor for me to work with so many great people,” she added.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Architects Union, Elbay Gasımzade, said Zaha Hadid was elected an honorary member of the Union. He presented Academician Mikayil Huseynov Medal to Hadid.

Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva had a meeting with Zaha Hadid.

This was followed by a concert.

The overall shape of the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center resembles a wave-like ascension from the ground towards the sky followed by gradual descent down to the earth. This is not only a tribute to post-modern architecture, but also a portrayal of an eternal cycle.

The lines on the building bridge the past with the present.

Harmonious link between the Center’s exterior and interior aspires to remove any boundaries in the building’s perception considering that this place is meant to be open anyone irrespective of gender, race and origin by bringing people together united by shared ideas.

Metal construction network with an overall lenghth of 90 kilometers was used for the building’s roof covering only. 12 027 pieces of special panels of a very specific shape of its own varying from triangle to trapezoid and from rectangle to parallelogram were used on the Center’s roof, which has an overall coverage 40,000 square meters.