Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation organized a big charity action for disabled children in Moscow with participation of the Russian Azerbaijan Youth Organization and the Russian Public Youth Organization ‘World of the Hearing Impaired’. More than 300 children with physical defect and their family members were invited to the event.

The charity action, which was organized under the motto ‘We Love Life’, was accompanied by interesting concert. Representatives of the Russian public, MPs, figures of culture and art, Azeri diaspora in Russia and reps of different diasporas attended the event.

Initiator and organizer of the action, head of the Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in RF Leila Aliyeva delivered a speech of congratulations. ‘Heydar Aliyev Foundation performs wide range of works in Azerbaijan in social, education and health spheres, attaches huge attention to development and protection of culture and cultural heritage, construction of modern schools, restoration of historical monuments, publication of books, and other humanitarian issues. Heydar Aliyev Foundation has an office in Russia at the moment and I believe we will together hold a lot of such events, do goodness’ L.Aliyeva said.

Saying the Russia Representation of the Foundation has done its best to do everything to create a holiday mood Leila Aliyeva said: ‘In this hall I see a lot of beautiful, happy and enthusiastic children. I wish them to always be so cheerful and brave. And on our side we will do everything possible to make your dreams come true in Russia’.

Advisor to Chairperson of Federation Board of RF, President of ‘Children and Youth Today’ Foundation Alexander Kunshin underlined ‘It is very nice that Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Russia organizes a concert. It shows our friends have reached out their hand to us as friend. It is very important issue’. A.Kunshin read the letter of congratulation of Chairman of the Federation Board Sergey Mironov. The letter reflects thanks to personally Leila Aliyeva and Heydar Aliyev Foundation for charity activity aiming help to disabled children, for presenting them opportunity of feeling the joy of life and wonderful hopes. The letter says Heydar Aliyev Foundation does goodwill job by familiarizing the Russians with traditions and culture of the people of Azerbaijan that are connected with them by long term friendly and kind neighborhood ties.

Deputy Chairperson of Family, Woman and Child Affairs Committee of State Duma of RF Natalya Karpovich thanked the organizers of the charity action: ‘Heydar Aliyev Foundation does huge works and these works are good for all us too. Such events bring together both people with physical defect and those having valuable life. And it is very important. This action brings us closer, helps to understand tragedy of each of children present in this hall and accept that as our own tragedy. This is also very important that this event allows those children to understand that they are valuable citizens of our big country’.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu thanked the Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in RF and its head Leila Aliyeva for arranging this holiday for the physically disabled children. He said holding this concert at ‘Baku’ Cinema is of symbolic sense, children will know that they are loved and supported not only in their own country but also in other countries that consider themselves friend of Russia.

Guest of the event, famous dancer of Russia, soloist of Bolshoi Theater, Chairman of Board of Maris Liyepa Charity Foundation Andris Liyepa talked of importance of joint charity projects, noted the language of dance may help the visually and hearing impaired children to more completely express their feelings.

A wonderful concert was presented in frame of the action. Disabled children living in Russia and Azerbaijan, dance group ‘Angels of Hope’, popular artists performed in the concert Russian folk dances, national dance Garabagh, soldier’s dance, songs of pop stars, fencers representing the Moscow Humanitarian-Social Institute, who became champions of Parolympian Games, showed sports tricks. Popular singer of Russia Diana Gurtskaya and student of The Gnesins Music School Sabir Ahmadov also performed in the concert.

In her interview to the Russian mass media Head of the Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in RF Leila Aliyeva noted the importance of the action held in Moscow, saying ‘It is for the first time that the Foundation organizes such a big charity event in the Russian capital. Such actions are very necessary. The Foundation has held a lot of similar actions in Azerbaijan. The Russia office of the Foundation also has organized different events, visited schools and boarding schools, but it is for the first time that all are together and I suppose this will not be the last charity action we hold. Representation of the Foundation in Russia has been operating in Moscow for only a half a year. It is only beginning. Of course, such events will be a lot in future, because they are of big importance. I have just left the concert, I am full of emotions. Seeing children next to you, seeing they are happy you understand that all other issues are of less importance. The main issue is that children see that they are recalled, loved and they are like all other children. Those children proved it today with their creativity. We must not let them feel their defects, we must give them hope, concern about them because the main issue for them is not material values but attention’.

In the event, every disabled child was presented gifts on behalf of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Concert organized under the motto ‘We Love Life’ was the next step towards removing the stereotypes concerning not only the disabled children and bringing different nations closer, as well concerning the dialog of cultures. And this is the objective of Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Russia.