President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin presents the “Pushkin” Medal to Leyla Aliyeva
Inauguration of a monument erected to Prince Vladimir at the square before the Saint Vladimir Church in the Russian city of Astrakhan took place, December 20.
Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
First Leyla Aliyeva, then representatives of the Azerbaijani delegation, and officials of Astrakhan region visited the monument erected to Azerbaijani people’s national leader Heydar Aliyev in Astrakhan.
Governor of the Astrakhan region Alexander Jilkin noted that the monument to Prince Vladimir was erected following the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This monument is not the first project implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Astrakhan. He said: “To date, the Heydar Aliyev park, a school, the Russia-Azerbaijan friendship bridge, and a children’s park have been opened in Astrakhan city. All this testifies to the friendly relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.”
Addressing the ceremony, Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva thanked Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Cyril for decorating her with the Order of Saint Princess Olga of 3rd Grade: ”I’m honoured and delighted to have been decorated with this order. Today, inauguration of a monument to Prince Vladimir is of special significance for us. People of different nations and religions have always lived in piece, and in the environment of friendship and solidarity in Azerbaijan. Tolerance in our country is not a goal, it is a lifestyle. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation pays, in its activity, special attention to this issue.” Touching, in her speech, upon close friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan, Leyla Aliyeva said: “Many joint projects have been implemented in Astrakhan. Today, we are going to lay the foundation of a new kindergarten. Moreover, a regional division of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia functions in Astrakhan. The Astrakhan division is one of the most active entities of AYOR.”
Then holy water was splashed on the monument to Prince Vladimir, and blessing given.
The foundation of this monument was laid on September 12, 2012, with participation of an influential delegation led by Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva. Made of bronze, with granite base, the monument is four meters high. The monument has been erected following Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s initiative, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Author of the architectural composition is Azerbaijan’s People’s Artist, honoured member of the Russian Academy of Artists Natig Aliyev; the monument’s authors are Alexander Fedorchenko, an architect from Astrakhan, and Andrey Kovalchuk, a sculptor from Moscow, People’s Artist of Russia. The monument was cast in Baku and delivered to Astrakhan.
Fountains have been built all around the monument.
This monument has been erected on the occasion of the 1025th anniversary of Christianity in Russia, and the 455th anniversary of foundation of Astrakhan.