The Photo exhibition ‘Azerbaijan Through The Eyes of Foreigners’ was launched at the Museum of Modern Art by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNDP, 12 July.

Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, along with her daughters Leila Aliyeva - the Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation - and Arzu Aliyeva attended the event.

The exhibition features over 90 color and black-and-white photographs taken by foreign diplomats and businessmen working in Azerbaijan. Citizens of up to 30 countries submitted more than 600 photographs to the contest following the call by UNDP to all diplomatic institutions and foreign businessmen in Azerbaijan. The photographs embody the nature and life of ordinary people and consist of popular scenes and images. Ninety-six photos which received the highest commendation of the jury are exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art.

Opening the exhibition, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Fikret Akchura expressed thanks to First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for supporting the exhibition. He said Azerbaijan, which successfully dealt with the difficulties in the first years of independence regained twenty years ago, is now a UN member with a strong economy. In spite of military aggression, refugees and displaced persons, Azerbaijan has achieved a high economic growth, and an improved life standard for its citizens.

Mr Akchura mentioned revenues from export of abundant petrochemical resources are being used to implement huge programmes in the socioeconomic and cultural spheres in Azerbaijan. This has incrementally increased the country’s standing in the human development index. In 2010, Azerbaijan scored higher than the medium human development rate. According to the UN human development indices, Azerbaijan achieved the greatest progress among 169 countries in the past five years. And for the past ten years, Azerbaijan hit the highest human development rate among former soviet republics. 

The UN Resident Coordinator underlined the exhibition will contribute to the promotion of Azerbaijan in the international arena and become a symbol of the joint efforts towards the sustainable successes of the country.

Leila Aliyeva - Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation- delivered a speech during the ceremony:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to welcome you to the Museum of Modern Art, to see and evaluate the beauty of our city Baku as seen in different photographs taken by the diplomats having been to our capital. This exhibition clearly demonstrates how the diplomats who visit our country see and appreciate Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a wonderful and rich country in the Caucasus with astonishing natural beauty and kind people. Eastern traditions, rich cultural heritage, magnificent music, and an intermingling of Eastern and Western cultures can be found here.   

Today’s exhibition will introduce you historical monuments, religious sanctuaries, remote villages, the natural beauty of our country, high-rise buildings in the city and very interesting architecture. I think this exhibition is an opportunity to evaluate and value the beauty of our country in all the facets we admire. In this exhibition you will see a number of photographs dedicated to the natural beauty of Azerbaijan. Perhaps you’ve heard that, Azerbaijan prides itself on having examples of nine of the eleven climate zones to be found in the world. 

We must all preserve the natural environment – not only in Azerbaijan, but throughout the world. I’d like to take this opportunity to mention the launch of the youth global environment campaign. This is called IDEA – International Dialogue for Environment Actions. The campaign will bring together thousands of young people from all over the world, for whom the environmental protection is necessary too. In addition to this, in 2011-2012, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will be working closely with the UN Azerbaijan Office on various environment projects. One of these projects is a photo exhibition ‘A New Vision Of My Environment’, which covers the entire country.

Dear Friends! I’m honored to mention that for twenty years of our independence Azerbaijan has gained enormous achievements and results. As you can see, we have a number of projects, plans and ideas in action. I once again express my gratitude to organizers, participants and guests of the exhibition. I know that some of today’s guests are visiting our country for the first time. I hope this evening will be especially interesting for you and you will enjoy your visit to Azerbaijan. Thank you so much, and I wish success to all you.”

Poland’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhal Labenda thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNDP for initiating the exhibition, noting that two of the participants in the exhibition work at the Polish Embassy. The Ambassador said he plans taking part in the next year’s contest himself.

The First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, and Leila Aliyeva - Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation - and UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Fikret Akchura cut the red ribbon and viewed the exposition.

Reflecting Azerbaijan’s diverse and ancient culture, rich architectural traditions and socioeconomic development, this photo exhibition ‘Azerbaijan Through The Eyes of Foreigners’ displays amateur photographs from the personal collections of foreigners only.

State and government officials, delegates of foreign countries and international organizations, representatives of the domestic public were present at the exhibition opening.

The exhibition will close on July 22.