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On December 30, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation arranged a traditional festivity for children at Buta Palace on the eve of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year holidays.

Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event.

Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the festivity took place at Buta Palace, decorated to special taste and given at children’s disposal. This year too, a fairy tale-like environment was created at Buta Palace to make children happy.

Following Mehriban Aliyeva’s initiative, festivities are arranged each year, on the eve of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year, for inmates of children homes and boarding schools, children with impaired health condition and those from martyrs’ and IDP families, as well as for pupils distinguished in education and groups from local child institutions operating in Azerbaijan.

The festivity started with demonstration of a video footage talking about meetings of national leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva with children, as well as care and attention shown by them towards the young generation.

Attendees of the festivity were presented a programme prepared in a new format. As was each year, this time too, children gathered around Mehriban Aliyeva, their biggest patroness. Mehriban Aliyeva shared children’s joy, talked with them.

In a music composition prepared for the festivity, child groups too performed with an interesting programme, along with professional masters of art. Characters enlivening heroes of children’s beloved animation films made a good impression on the participants. Small scenes, playful and cheery songs and dances made the festive event more colourful.

Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the festive event:

- Respected parents, esteemed teachers, dear children!

I welcome all of you. It is very pleasing for me to be here today together with you. We have been together at various events and festivities over the course of this year. I am very happy to bid farewell to the year 2015 together with you.

The year 2015 will remain in our country’s history with new achievements and victories. However, in 2015, our country and people faced also some grave events. Our citizens who died on May 19 during the tragic fire, our industry workers who died on December 19 at Guneshli oilfield, our soldier who perished while performing their duty before the Homeland - all these events made every Azerbaijani citizen grieve and feel sorry.

Let us remember those perished with a minute’s silence. Allah rəhmət eləsin!

God save Azerbaijan and the people of Azerbaijan! God save us from tragedies and bad events!

Dear Friends, looking at the year nearing the end we can say that one of the memorable events of this year were the first European Games – first in the history of Europe’s Olympic Movement – held in Baku, Azerbaijan. You know that we made preparations for these Games for a very short time span and held them on the highest level. The people of Azerbaijan once more proved to the world its unity and hospitality. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the pepole of Azerbaijan for the support provided to each sportsman, the hospitality shown towards every guest. At the same time, we all tried to support our national team, our sportsmen. Our sportsmen showed courage and strength and, as a result, our national team took the 2nd place among 50 countries. This is, of course, a great victory. I am sure there are future Olympic, world and European champions among you. Therefore, I invite you to do sport. I invite you to study well, be well educated. I say these words every year. It is obvious that Azerbaijan’s future will be in your hands. Therefore, to receive good education, be well educated is the most important and great duty of yours.

I know that nowadays children are more attracted to computers, and this too is very good. On Internet, you can receive much information. However, looking at you, I want to ask you to read a book. Since books, i.e. belles-letters, both Azerbaijani belles-lettres and those of the world treasure’s will be very useful in your life, and no computer is capable to replace a book. For this reason, you should read as much books as possible. You will discover a completely new world to yourselves. Of course, first of all I wish you sound health. I want you to grow up healthy and well-educated and make your parents, teachers, all of us, the elderly happy.

Dear friends, on the eve of this holiday, I would once more like to congratulate you on the upcoming World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year from the bottom of my heart. We, together, bid farewell to the year 2015 and welcome the year 2016. I am sure 2016 will bring new achievements and successes to our country. Today, our country is facing new calls. As it has always been, wisdom of the people of Azerbaijan, its unity will enable us to overcome all the challenges we may face. Happy New Year. Thank you very much. 

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At the end of the festivity, each participant was presented a holiday gift from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Lasting three days, the festivity was attended by over two thousand children and pupils.