There was a Conference in Moscow on December 17th – held at the Moscow State International Relations Institute (University) (MSIRI (U)) of Russian Foreign Ministry - to mark the 85th anniversary of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan. The event was organized by the Russian Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation & the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia, with the support of the Autonomous Republic’s Supreme Assembly.

Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu came to Moscow to attend the event, and congratulated the Autonomous Republic on the anniversary – expressing thanks to the MSIRI (U) for their management of the event. The Ambassador underscored the significance of the Anniversary. He said the Conference was initiated by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Head of the Foundation’s Moscow Office Leila Aliyeva, and the Embassy supported the initiative. 
 
The Ambassador mentioned that the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan - an integral part of Azerbaijan – was the birthplace of Heydar Aliyev, and thus holds a special place for the country of Azerbaijan. Polad Bulbuloglu made mention of Nakhchyan's diligent care of the cultural monuments of all nations and creeds, and not only those of Turks, Azeris, and Muslims. 
 
The Ambassador went on to mention that celebrating this Anniversary of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan in Moscow is especially significant, since Russia is not only a big neighbor but also a strategic partner to us: ‘A substantial Azeri diaspora lives in Russia and works for the prosperity of Russia. This diaspora takes a keen interest in the current affairs of Azerbaijan. In Russia there are many of Nakhchyvan origin’. 
 
Mrs Leila Aliyeva – the Head of the Russia Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation - mentioned the significance of marking the anniversary of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan in Moscow: ‘The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan is celebrating the eighty-fifth anniversary of its founding.It's a date which is widely marked in Azerbaijan. Today we mark this anniversary in Moscow with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. We are especially grateful to the leadership of the Moscow State International Relations Institute for providing us with this oportunity’.  
 
‘This anniversary is greatly valued by the people of Azerbaijan – and we're justly proud of it. Building relations based on mutual understanding and respect arises directly out of knowing our cultural and historical roots, our traditions, our present-day life realities of present time and the successes we have made” said Mrs Aliyeva.
 
Leila Aliyeva spoke with great warmth about Nakhchyvan's history, traditions and its contemporary life. ‘Nakhchyvan is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan. Its history dates back for many millenia, a land rich in ancient artefacts. I'm sure much will be said today about Nakhchyvan’s nature, history and its present development. You'll also hear about some of the difficulties this autonomous republic has faced, the hard tests that people of Nakhchyvan have honourably weathered, and about the valuable contributions it has made to the destiny of Azerbaijan. All of us know of the fame of legendary Azerbaijanis from Nakhchyvan. Today you'll find out more about the present-day aspect of Nakhchyvan – come and see this ancient land, take a breath of its fresh air, revel in its grand mountains, experience a living legend.. Nakhchyvan is a mysterious place where the Prophet Noah was buried’. 
 
The Conference program included the following lectures: ‘Socioeconomic development of Nakhchyvan’ by Tarana Guliyeva, Deputy Premier of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan; ‘Outstanding persons from Nakhchyvan in the history of the Russian state’ by the historian Professor Rudolf Ivanov; and ‘The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan in regional policy’ by Aleksandr Karavayev, Deputy Director General of Post-Soviet Studies Center by Moscow State University. 
 
Elmira Akhundova MP, the well-known writer and publicist, and author of the multivolume study ‘Heydar Aliyev - Personality and Time’, gave a talk provisionally titled ‘Nakhchyvan saved Heydar Aliyev, Heydar Aliyev saved Azerbaijan’. Mrs Akhundova discussed the main phases of the political life of national leader Heydar Aliyev during 1990-1993, his subsequent return to Nakhchyvan, and his arrival in Baku to save the state. She additionally outlined about the role and heritage of Heydar Aliyev today.   
 
The organizers and guests of the Conference had the chance to enjoy a photo exhibition about the anniversay of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan, as well as a documentary on Nakhchyvan. The celebrations concluded with a concert by well-known cultural figures and artistic performers of Nakhchyvan.