Category: Azer News

As part of the Berlin Science Week 2025, Azerbaijani curator and Deputy Chair of I-opener e.V., Zuleykha Ibad, presented a two-part international program titled “Beyond Now: How to Think Like a Forest When You’ve Been Raised by Screens,” which integrates art, science, and ecological thinking, Azernews reports.

“The opening of the festival took place on November 1 at the Berlin Museum of Natural History (Museum fr Naturkunde) and was a key event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Berlin Science Week. The event brought together partners, researchers, and participating organizations, providing a platform for large-scale scientific and cultural dialogue. Representatives of scientific institutions, curators, musicians, and guests from various fields participated in the first meetings and discussions,” said Zuleykha Ibad to Trend Life.

The first part of the program took place at the Mahalla Berlin space and gathered more than 500 visitors over two days. Artists Vincent Jondo and Benjamin Klo explored themes of ecology, memory, and perception through various visual approaches:

Vincent Jondeau combined 19th-century botanical illustrations with photographs of endangered plants, highlighting how nature is gradually becoming invisible.

Benjamin Claux connected microscopic images of meteorites with textiles and digital video, exploring the links between ecological issues and cosmic imagination.

The second part of the program was held at the AirBerlin Alexanderplatz Project Space. It featured a panel discussion with 45 participants on the topics of ecological time, responsibility, and the collaboration between art and science. The discussion included contributions from Oliver Juan, Enrique Torres, and Vincent Jondeau, with Zuleykha Ibad as the moderator. Special attention was given to the ability of art to create emotional and visual access to scientific topics.

The “Beyond Now” program is seen as another significant step by I-opener e.V. in promoting ecological issues through art and fostering sustainable dialogue between different fields of knowledge.

The Azerbaijan National Art Museum will host the concert program “Under the Magic of Painting – from Baroque to the Present Day” on December 2 as part of the “Music in the Museum” project, Azernews reports.

The faculty and students of the Instrumental Performance Department of the Musical Art Faculty of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts prepare the program.

The concert will feature performances by students Sunbul Safarli, Nargiz Safarli, Nushaba Rustamova, Hamaya Bakhyshova, Ryavana Musayeva, Ulviya Taghiyeva, Sevda Abbasova, Aynur Akhadova, Roya Ahmadova, Aysel Gafarova, Dilber Islamova, Nazrin Asgarli, Agha Babazade, Leyla Iskenderova, Jamila Huseynzade, Turkan Mustafayeva, Busat Yusifzade, Musa Musayev, Yahya Rzayev, and Ulvi Taghirov, who will perform together with their instructors – Mirkhalid Mammadzade, Zaur Mammadov, Gunel Guliyeva, Leyla Parlanova, and Aydan Vazirowa. The concert will be hosted by student Kimya Jafarli.

The program will include unforgettable works by world-renowned composers, from the Baroque era to the present day.

This musical evening will allow the audience to discover the subtleties of classical music and immerse themselves in a unique atmosphere.

Founded in 1937, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush.

The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.

These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has sent a congratulatory letter to Romanian President Nicu?or Dan, Azernews reports.

“Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to your entire people, my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of Romania.

We attach great importance to the development of friendship and cooperation with Romania, our friend and partner. Today, we are pleased with the expansion of the Azerbaijan-Romania bilateral cooperation agenda, built on good traditions and solid foundations, as well as with the enrichment of our fruitful joint activities with new content in the trade, economic, energy-particularly green energy-cultural, humanitarian, and other fields, alongside the strengthening of our strategic partnership.

I am confident that the traditional friendly relations between our countries and our fruitful cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, will continue to expand through our joint efforts in the interests of our peoples, and that our strategic partnership will further deepen.

On this festive day, I extend my best regards to you and wish the friendly people of Romania everlasting prosperity and well-being,” reads the letter.

The Director-General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed al-Malik, and the Chairman of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will visit Baku to participate in the international conference on “Developing the Artificial Intelligence Index in the Islamic World,” Azernews reports.

The event, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Education, in partnership with ICESCO, will take place on December 8-9 at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The “Artificial Intelligence Index in the Islamic World” document, developed to measure the development trends of artificial intelligence on a scientific basis, will be presented for the first time at the Baku conference.

The conference aims to strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence in the Islamic world and discuss the ethical, social, and economic impacts of artificial intelligence.

The event will be attended by education ministers from 10 ICESCO member countries, international experts, representatives of government agencies, and a total of around 150 participants.

Within the framework of the conference, discussions will be held on the role of artificial intelligence in the education system, and a final declaration will be adopted on “Developing the Artificial Intelligence Index among ICESCO member countries.”

‘We attach great importance to the development of friendship and cooperation with Romania, our friend and partner,’ said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his congratulatory letter to President of Romania Nicu?or Dan on the occasion of his country’s national holiday, Azernews reports.

In his letter, President Ilham Aliyev noted, ‘Today, we are pleased with the expansion of the Azerbaijan-Romania bilateral cooperation agenda, built on good traditions and solid foundations, as well as with the enrichment of our fruitful joint activities with new content in the trade, economic, energy-particularly green energy-cultural, humanitarian, and other fields, alongside the strengthening of our strategic partnership.

I am confident that the traditional friendly relations between our countries and our fruitful cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, will continue to expand through our joint efforts in the interests of our peoples, and that our strategic partnership will further deepen.’

An event of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will be held in Baku from December 9 to 11, Azernews reports, citing the State Civil Aviation Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

It is worth noting that the Agency has already begun preparations for the gathering.

The agency stated that, during the financing process, the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision dated November 4, 2008 – which approves the ‘Rules for Allocating and Spending State Budget Funds for International and National Events Held by State-Funded Organizations, as well as for Receiving and Servicing Delegations and Officials from Foreign Countries’ – will be taken into account.

The second meeting of the Mapping Working Group of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in Baku on December 2-3, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

According to the Ministry, the gathering will bring together representatives of geodesy, cartography, land management, cadastre, remote sensing, and geographic information systems institutions from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Trkiye, as well as observer states Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Azerbaijan will participate in the session with delegates from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Geodesy and Cartography Agency under the Ministry, and specialists from other relevant state bodies.

The meeting will review the implementation status of the goals set during the Working Group’s first session, held on September 30-October 1, 2024, in Ankara. Participants will also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the field of mapping, outline new objectives, and examine opportunities for their practical implementation.

The event, taking place ahead of World Environment Day and the World Urban Forum (WUF13), both scheduled to be held in Baku in 2026, reflects Azerbaijan’s consistent efforts to enhance collaboration in geodesy, cartography, and geographic information systems, while advancing environmental protection and sustainable management initiatives.

The annual forum of ADA University alumni living abroad was held this year at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin, bringing together graduates, university leadership, diplomats, and partners for a wide-ranging exchange of ideas, Azernews reports.

Dedicated to the ‘Year of Constitution and Sovereignty’, the event was jointly organized by ADA University, the ADA University Foundation, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany, and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, with support from Kolin Azerbaijan.

Opening the forum, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev stressed the importance of uniting ADA graduates in Europe, noting that the knowledge and experience Azerbaijani youth acquire abroad plays a critical role in representing the country’s intellectual potential globally. He highlighted that the achievements of ADA graduates in diverse fields reflect the university’s high educational standards and international outlook. The ambassador added that such initiatives strengthen Azerbaijani-German relations and help build long-term cooperation among alumni.

ADA University Vice-Rector Gunay Ziyadova delivered a detailed presentation on the university’s latest innovations, academic advancements, and future development plans. She underlined that ADA continues to progress in education and innovation, with its global alumni network playing an essential role in this growth.

Rector of ADA University, Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, addressed the event as the keynote speaker, emphasizing that graduates-regardless of where they live-remain an integral part of the university’s mission. He encouraged alumni to actively participate in collaborative initiatives, stressing that such engagement creates new opportunities for both graduates and the institution.

The forum continued with a panel discussion moderated by Zohra Asadova from ADA’s Alumni Affairs Department. ADA graduates Mashdi Aliyev, Fidan Eminli, Sabira Imrani, Aydin Javadov, and Jamila Talibzadeh shared their professional journeys, academic experiences, and perspectives on how ADA’s values shape success across sectors. Participants also exchanged views on global trends, emerging challenges, and the evolving needs of international job markets.

Now a well-established tradition, ADA University’s alumni forums bring together graduates in various countries each year, contributing to stronger networks, closer cooperation, and new joint initiatives within the global ADA community.

Azerbaijani karateka Irina Zaretska has claimed a bronze medal at the 27th Karate World Championships, Azernews reports.

Competing in the 68 kg weight category, she secured the bronze by winning her bout for third place.

Meanwhile, Asiman Gurbanli (84 kg), however, lost his bronze medal match and ultimately finished in fifth place.

The 27th Karate World Championships brought together 378 karate fighters from 86 countries.

Irina Zaretska has competed for Azerbaijan since 2015. She earned a silver medal in the women’s +61 kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Zaretska is a three-time World Karate Champion in the women’s 68 kg division, winning gold in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

She has also claimed two gold medals in this category at both the Islamic Solidarity Games (2017 and 2022) and the European Games (2015 and 2023).

Asiman Gurbanli is an Azerbaijani karateka who claimed the gold medal in the men’s kumite +84 kg category at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus. He also earned a bronze medal in the men’s +84 kg event at the 2021 World Karate Championships held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In 2023, he won one of the bronze medals in the men’s +84 kg event at the European Games held in Poland.

Founded in 1994, the Azerbaijan Karate Federation is a full member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the European Karate Federation (EKF).

Over the past few years, Azerbaijan’s karate fighters have been the winners of the prestigious international tournaments, European and World Championships.

The list of strong national karate fighters includes five-time World Champion Rafael Aghayev, European Champions Abdulkarimov Parviz, Aghasiyev Jeyhun, Madadov Rustam, Ildirimzade Fayyaz, Aliyev Niyazi and Asiman Gurbanli, bronze medalist of European Championship Ilaha Gasimova, Atayev Amal, Jafarov Yusif, Atamov Shahin, Huseynov Rashad and others.

Aktau, the Caspian Sea jewel of Kazakhstan and the 2025 “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World”, concluded a year filled with cultural and artistic festivities with a spectacular gala concert at the People’s Arena, Azernews reports citing TURKSOY.

During the event, the title of Cultural Capital was officially passed on to the historic city of Andijan in Uzbekistan for the year 2026.

The year-long program, proclaimed by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), came to a close on November 28, 2025, with a grand ceremony attended by senior state officials, artists, and thousands of culture enthusiasts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Trkiye, Turkmenistan, and other regions of the Turkic World.

Featuring around 250 performers, the closing ceremony transported the audience through an unforgettable artistic journey showcasing the cultural richness and diversity of the Turkic World.

Opening the event, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva, emphasized that Aktau had truly earned its prestigious title. She highlighted that more than 30 international events, including theatre, opera, film festivals, and academic gatherings were held throughout the year:

“The city of Aktau has honourably fulfilled this historic mission and completed it with remarkable success. Festivals on the Caspian shores brought together hundreds of artists from seven countries and more than 100,000 spectators. This demonstrated the strength of our shared cultural bond. May the cultural flame ignited in Aktau shine just as brightly in Andijan in 2026,” she said.

She also mentioned decisions made at TURKSOY’s 42nd Term Meeting regarding the digital transformation of the organization, stressing the importance of digitizing cultural heritage and promoting creative industries.

Representing the Elders of the Turkic World, Binali Yildirim, Chairman of the Elders’ Council of the Organization of Turkic States, conveyed greetings from Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and underscored the strategic significance of culture.

Calling Kazakhstan a pillar of stability in the Turkic World, Yildirim stated:

“Roads, bridges, and ports are physical structures, but culture defines the identity and destiny of a nation. Our cooperation in culture is the strongest guarantee for the future of the Turkic World. We are building bridges, and it will be our youth who cross them to shape our shared future.”

He also announced that, following the vision of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a major gathering of intellectuals, scholars, and cultural figures of the Turkic World will be organized under the Council of Elders in 2026.

TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev expressed deep appreciation for the successful events hosted by Aktau throughout the year, calling the city not just a venue but a true meeting point for the Turkic World:

“Throughout the year, we witnessed the richness of our shared culture and the heartfelt closeness of our related peoples. In the coming years, our cooperation in cultural diplomacy and joint projects will only continue to strengthen. I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this success.”

A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial handover of the Cultural Capital symbol. Deputy Governor of Mangystau, Erbol Izbergenov, passed the emblem to Shuhratbek Abdurahmanov, the Governor of Andijan, which will hold the title in 2026.

Governor Abdurahmanov stated that Andijan is ready to present its ancient history and culture to the world in 2026 and expressed his happiness in undertaking this distinguished responsibility.

The ceremony concluded with performances of traditional Turkic melodies, messages of unity and solidarity, and a group photo to commemorate the event.