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On September 3, opening of the photo-exhibition named “Azerbaijan – the country of tolerance” by world-renowned photographer Reza Deghati took place in Paris with organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, mayor of the 1st Arrondissement of Paris Jean Francois Legaret said photos of Reza Deghati have always amazed art lovers. He noted that this exhibition has been dedicated to a very important topic – the topic of tolerance. Jean Francois Legaret thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for the support provided for the organization of the exhibition.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbeyov underscored that this event would serve to strengthening of the relations between the two countries, and said Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva has always supported cultural events. Saying that Reza Deghati's photos displayed at this exhibition clearly demonstrated the tolerant environment dominating in Azerbaijan, Elchin Amirbeyov noted that Azerbaijan was located at the crossroads of civilizations, and this exhibition perfectly showed the relations existing between different religions in our country.

The world-renowned photographer thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for the attending the event. He said there is a place in this complex world where religions and peoples are living peacefully-this place is Azerbaijan.

The organizer of the exhibition, Carla Aregoni, thanked Azerbaijan’s first lady for the support provided for the high-level organization of the exhibition, and everyone who contributed to it.

Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony. She talked about the books of Reza Deghati dedicated to Azerbaijan, and stressed the significance of these books in terms of promoting our country.

Well-known public and political figures of France, representatives of influential mass media, and art-lovers of Paris attended the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

Photos made by Reza Deghati in differentyears were displayed here. These photos acquaint visitors with the lifestyle and traditions of people related to different nationalities and religions living in Azerbaijan. Works by the well-known photographer at the exhibition show that different religious communities are living in Azerbaijan peacefully, respecting each other. One can see Azerbaijan’s nature, old traditions and daily life of common people on the photos. These photos bring to the attention of visitors the lifestyles in different regions of Azerbaijan, our historical places, and the contemporariness of our country with its old history.

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Official opening of the "Azerbaijani Village" takes place on famous Palais Royal Square before the Louvre Museum.

It is for the second time that the “Azerbaijani Village” takes place in Paris. The primary objective of organizing the village was to better promote Azerbaijan abroad, and ensure the regularity of such events of publicity nature both in France and its capital.

Addressing the ceremony, Mehriban Aliyeva told that both Parisians and also tourists coming to the city will have a chance to receive comprehensive information about our country. Thanking all who have made their contribution to preparation for and holding of this event, Mehriban Aliyeva underscored that cultural events dedicated to Azerbaijan have been held, recent years, not only in Paris, but also in other cities of France, and they arousedgreat interest. Noting that she attached great importance to the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and France, Mehriban Aliyeva said recent years these relations have been of strategic partnership nature, and said our countries have built successful cooperation in all spheres, and these relations are expanded further.

Mayor of the 1st Arrondissement of Paris Jean Francois Legaret said organization of such a high-level event in the centre of the French capital, before Louvre Museum, arouses more interest towards Azerbaijan. Highly appreciating the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s activity in this job, the mayor said such events would play an essential role in extending the cultural exchange between our countries.

Chairperson of the Friends of Azerbaijan Association in France Jean Francois Mansell congratulated Mehriban Aliyeva on such a high level event organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. He emphasized the first European Games held in our country and said this sports event demonstrated to the whole world Azerbaijan’s might. Jean Francois Mansell brought to attention that the holding of this sports holiday – a significant event in Europe’s life -was a great success of President Ilham Aliyev and chairperson of the Organizing Committee Mehriban Aliyeva.

While becoming acquainted with the Village, the guests watched the performance by the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble.

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Our country’s history, culture, folk art, traditions and national cuisine are demonstrated in the “Azerbaijani Village”. Called “Azerbaijan in the heart of Paris”, the village has been arranged with a unique design, surrounded by fortification walls. In the village, a wide network of carpet-making, pottery and other art products, national garments and music instruments related to Azerbaijan has been arranged.  Visitors have a chance to make themselves closely familiarized with the process of creating these samples of art in the “Workshop” section. Artisans from our country, making copper dishes, shebeke (lattices), carpets and other art samples, present Azerbaijan’s ancient and rich art traditions and their niceties to visitors.

Moreover, a photo-exhibition comprised of works by famous Azerbaijanis living in France and Frenchmen living in our country has been arranged in the village. Called “Azerbaijanis and Frenchmen: the history of acquaintance”, this exhibition praises the life of our country and people.

Stands demonstrating our national cuisine have been built in the “Azerbaijani Village”. At the same time, national sweets, drinks, and samples of folk art are presented in the stands related to various local companies operating in Azerbaijan. Delicious dishes of our national cuisine are made for the guests of the village. Publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation covering various spheres are presented in the village.

Concert programmes are arranged on a scene built in the “Azerbaijani Village”.

The “Azerbaijani Village” will function until September 9.

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Then a concert programme comprised of Azerbaijan’s ethno-jazz music was presented under the leadership of tar player Shahryar Imanov.