The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan with the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy and the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The meeting began with the performance of Azerbaijan’s national anthem by Abuzar Manafzade, an award-winning conductor and composer, followed by the presentation of a thematic video. Among the attendees were Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Italy, Rashad Aslanov; Minister of Culture, Adil Karimli; Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, Fuad Muradov; Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Gunay Efendiyeva; and numerous distinguished cultural figures.
In his speech, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli highlighted that the participants of the meeting are outstanding individuals in various fields of culture, who not only excel in their achievements but also contribute to the promotion of Azerbaijani culture and uphold national identity regardless of where they reside.
“The role of our compatriots living abroad in promoting Azerbaijani cultural values globally is invaluable. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, a comprehensive cultural policy is being implemented to systematically promote our cultural heritage abroad and establish international cultural ties,” the Minister emphasized in an interview with the AZERTAC news agency.
Adil Karimli noted that the meeting in Rome serves as a foundation for the planned Forum of Azerbaijani Cultural Ambassadors in 2025. He also stressed the importance of launching new projects and creating a unified platform to enhance collaboration among Azerbaijani cultural figures and students pursuing education in prestigious universities worldwide.
During the event, speeches were delivered by prominent individuals who promote Azerbaijani culture and arts globally. Their significant role in showcasing the richness of Azerbaijani heritage to the world was widely acknowledged. This meeting is considered a key step in passing down Azerbaijani cultural heritage to future generations and promoting it on an international scale.