A “National Day”  is arranged at the Azerbaijani Pavilion at “Milan Expo 2015” World Exhibition, July 9. 

Official presentation ceremony of the Azerbaijani Pavilion took place in the framework of  the “National Day”.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony. 

The event was also joined by representatives of the Italian government, public figures, representatives of the diplomatic corps in this country, and other influential guests. 

First, a video-connection with Baku was established at the Azerbaijani Pavilion. Employee of the Heydar Aliyev Center Mahabbat Mehdiyeva greeted President Ilham Aliyev. 

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were informed of the Azerbaijani National Pavilion’s concept. 

Then photos were taken.

Thereafter, President Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony of hoisting state flags at “Milan Expo 2015” International Exhibition.  State anthems of Italy and Azerbaijan were performed and stage flags hoisted. 

General Director of “Milan Expo 2015” Antonio Pasquino delivered a speech. 

Then President Ilham Aliyev addressed the ceremony. 

After the speeches, the Head of our State and the First Lady became acquainted with the Italian National Pavilion at the exhibition. 

President Ilham Aliyev wrote his heartfelt words in the Guests Book at the ItalianNational Pavilion. 

 X X X 

Foundation of the Azerbaijani National Pavilion at “Milan Expo 2015” was laid in July 2014. In general, preparation and construction works in the pavilion continued during 18 months. Organizational works on the Azerbaijani National Pavilion have been carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Center. With general area of 1800 square metres, the national pavilion praises Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage, rich ecological potential, richness of flora and fauna, and rare biodiversity, which accords with today’s slogan of the exhibition. A task force comprised of up to 300 local and foreign specialists had been  established to realize this project. 

Three biospheresbuilt at the pavilion personifies Azerbaijan, which has managed to maintain its environment and ancient culture in harmony, and protect them. Wavy wooden walls of the pavilion are a symbol of the wind inherent in Azerbaijan, and the cultural and creative flow, always circulating here.  The pavilion “Azerbaijan. A Treasure of Biodiversity” created for  “Milan Expo 2015” reflects the unique natural and cultural places of this land playing the role of a bridge between the North and South, the West and East. The biosphere called “The Crossroads of Cultures” takes visitors to the most significant natural biodiversity and cultural places of the country. The second biosphere – “Biodiversity” is devoted to the country’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. The structure in the centre of this biosphere personifies a pomegranate tree – Azerbaijan’s symbol of richness. Another biosphere is called “Innovationsand tradition”. Here, there is a figure of a tree with branches directed to the sky. This shows, symbolically, Azerbaijani people’s loyalty to traditions, at the same time, a country looking forward to the future. 

The first floor of the pavilion is called “Symphony of Sounds”. Here, information about Azerbaijan’s history, culture and geography is presented. On the second floor, information about the climate, landscape and biological diversity is delivered in the “Symphony of Sounds”. On the third floor entitled “Symphony of Tastes”, information and samples about the national cuisine and organic foodstuff are presented. On this floor, in the sections “Discover Baku” and “Personalities of Azerbaijan”,  visitors may acquaint themselves with our country and people in an interactive mode through photos, maps, and portraits of Azerbaijanis representing different spheres. At the same time, 9 climate zones existing in Azerbaijan and our country’s being cited one of the 25 biodiversity places of the world have been reflected in our national pavilion. Moreover, various video materials related to Azerbaijan’s music and  pearls of cinematography, traditions and art are demonstrated on the monitors installed at the pavilion. On the fourth floor – the terrace - of the pavilion,there is a restaurant. National cuisine and various concert programmes are presented here. 

In the IDEA-Biodiversity Park created in the pavilion’s yard, information about the activity of IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Awareness) Public Union and various environmental projects are presented and entertaining programmes arranged. 

Works done towards protectingthe biodiversity and solving environmental challenges in Azerbaijan,ensuring rehabilitation of national natural resources and protection thereof, as well as implementation of local and international environmental projects have also been reflectedin the interior design of the pavilion. Various scenarios have been made to date to shoot documentaries on the abovementioned directions. The scenarios basically cover works carried out towards foodstuffs, agriculture, ecological resources, natural landscape, social development, export and infrastructure, culture, art, protection of environment, and preventing spread of GMO products. These video films will be shown at our national pavilion as long as the exhibition continues, and will virtually acquaint visitors with our country. 

On the eve of the preparation for “Milan Expo 2015”, photo and video shootings of rich biodiversity, rare landscapes, natural resources  existing in various regions of Azerbaijan, as well as historical monuments located in different districts of the country were  done. For this purpose, repeated trips to Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Lankaran, Yardymly, Shamkir, Sheki, Gabala, Shabran, Guba, Siyazan, Khyzy, Shirvan, Absheron and other towns and districts were undertaken from April 2014 to February this year. 

Direct contact with Baku – “Mirroring Baku”, which is the first project of its kind among the participating countries -  was established at our national pavilion. At the entrance of the national pavilion, a mirror-shapedmonitor provided with a wavy seat, being as tall as a human, has been installed. Such a monitor has been installed in Baku, before the Heydar Aliyev Center. Both these monitors are interrelated and can have contact with each other. People becoming acquainted with the pavilion see the place before that monitor installed in Baku, by standing before the monitor in the pavilion. And residents  of Baku, guests of our city too gain a chance to see the Azerbaijani pavilion and its visitors. Called “MirroringBaku”, this project ensures connection between Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan – a bridge between the East and West- and thousands of visitors of the exhibition. 

Holding of various presentations is planned during 6 months at a pavilion designed on a special concept.  After Milan Expo 2015 comes to an end, the Azerbaijani pavilion is expected to be dismantled and rebuilt again in Baku and given for visitors’ use. 

According to the opinion of “Milan Expo 2015” Organizing Committee, Azerbaijan is among those countries that have, in a shortest time span, met the requirements set for participating states in the preliminary stage of the preparation and assembling process, and performed presentations associated with the content and design of the pavilion. At the same time, the foreign press and Italia’s leading mass media informed that Azerbaijan was the leader in completion of construction and design works. Official delegations of various countries and leadership of the exhibitionnoted that the Azerbaijani pavilion was considerably distinguished from others, and were completely in line with the subject chosen. Due to these achievements of our country, Armenia refused to participate in “Milan Expo 2015”. 

“Milan Expo 2015” International Exhibition has been operating since 1 May.  145 countries are participating in this exhibition held under the slogan of “Feedingthe Planet, EnergyforLife”. Only 54 out of these countries, including Azerbaijan, is represented by a national pavilion. Other countries participate in the exhibition with only a stand. The exhibition will continue until 31 October. 

“Expo” World Exhibition is also famous for the number of visitors and its scale. Until the exhibition arranged in Milan started its operation – till the 1May – over 11 million tickets had been sold. Over 1 million visitors came to the  Azerbaijani National Pavilion since 1 May. 

The “Expo” World Exhibition has been held since 1851. This exhibition is considered the third biggest international event by the number of visitors coming from around the world, after Olympic Games and football world championships.