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A presentation of ” Classic Czech Short Stories”, an anthology edited by Dr. Ivana Bozdechová from Charles University and Jaroslav Olša, Jr, has taken place in Baku.

The translation into Azerbaijani was carried out by Shabnam Asadova, a renowned translator.

The publication of the book in Azerbaijani by the “Elm v? T?hsil N?sriyyati” Publishing House represents an important step forward in the cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan.

In an interview with AZERNEWS, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Milan Sedlácek emphasized the significance of this publication for strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.

He highlighted that this was the first-ever translation of Czech literature into Azerbaijani, describing it as a “momentous step” towards building a stronger cultural connection between the two nations.

Q: How do you assess the significance of publishing the anthology for strengthening cultural ties between our countries?

A: As I pointed out during the opening ceremony, this is a truly momentous occasion, as it represents the first-ever translation of Czech literature into Azerbaijani.

I believe such events do not happen very often. I am very glad that we were able to dedicate three years to preparing this project.

In my opinion, this is an important step in the development of our political and economic relations.

Q: What contribution does your project make to the development of bilateral relations?

A: This anthology covers Czech literature from the 19th century to the present, which allows the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Czech literary tradition.

This is a very significant aspect for a single book. After reading it, the reader may become interested in the works of such authors as Karel Capek, Jaroslav Hašek, and other prominent Czech writers. This will give them the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and continue exploring further. If there is demand, we will continue to translate and publish new works.

It is also worth noting that this is not the second book in this series, as the first one was a collection of Azerbaijani short stories translated into Czech. This project was carried out by one translator, Shabnam Asadova.

The anthology includes Azerbaijani short stories. This project was completed three years ago, and now, as a continuation, we have presented this new anthology.

Q: What initiatives are being undertaken to further expand cultural ties between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, as well as in other areas?

A: One of the key steps, in my opinion, is the opening of the Azerbaijani House in Prague. This is a significant event for the development of cultural exchanges. I know that the director of the Azerbaijani House is actively working in this direction. Many cultural events are held at the Azerbaijani House, and, as is well known, culture is always closely linked to economic development.

When the economy prospers, successful businesses emerge that support culture.

We are actively working in this direction, and the economic ties are already showing positive results. I hope that based on this, we will continue to develop both cultural and educational projects.

Bilateral memorandums of cooperation have been signed between the National Libraries of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Azernews reports.

Trilateral memorandum has been signed involving the National Library of Azerbaijan, the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), and the National Library of Morocco. The documents were inked as part of the 11th Baku International Book Fair.

In his speech during the ceremony, the Director of the National Library, Professor Karim Tahirov, provided information about the library’s international cooperation. He highlighted that Azerbaijan has signed cooperation memorandums with the national libraries of 54 countries to date. Tahirov emphasized that these new agreements would create new opportunities for book and information exchange, the establishment of literature corners, the use of electronic resources, the exchange of expertise, exhibitions, conferences, and online services.

Ayhan Tuglu, Director of the National Library of the Republic of Turkiye, noted that the signed document would contribute to the development of cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli, stated that the signing ceremonies held within the framework of the international book fair would make a significant contribution to strengthening international relations in the fields of science, education, and culture.

Samira El Malizi, Director of the National Library of Morocco, remarked that libraries play a bridging role between nations, and the signed trilateral memorandum would open new opportunities for future joint projects, exhibitions, and scientific research.

With over 5 million books, manuscripts, and maps, the Azerbaijan National Library is considered one of the largest libraries in the Caucasus region. Since 1939, the library has borne the name of the eminent playwright Mirza Fatali Akhundov.

The library has an extensive collection of literature in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and other languages. It has collected and preserved national editions, works of Azerbaijani and foreign authors about Azerbaijan published abroad.

The National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, visited the National Library four times in 1995-1997 and donated nearly 300 books from his personal library.

In 2004, the Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library was granted the status of a national library by the decision of Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers.

The building of the library is no less impressive. The library’s fa?ade is decorated with the statues of eminent poets and writers like Nizami Ganjavi, Mahsati Ganjavi, Uzeyir Hajibayli, Shota Rustaveli, Alexander Pushkin and many others.

The scope of the library’s activities is constantly expanding. In 2005, on the basis of legal copies received from publishing houses and printing companies, the library published the yearbook “Books of Azerbaijan” for 1990, 1991, 2000, and 2001.

Over the past years, the National Library has signed a memorandum on bilateral mutual cooperation with about 80 libraries.

In 2021, the Culture Ministry and Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library launched a joint campaign, “Let’s go to Garabagh with a book”, to restore libraries in the Garabagh region.

A large number of books were donated to the Garabagh Book Fund by a number of international organizations working in the field of culture, Turkic-speaking countries, famous foreign and local authors, publishers, and printing houses.

In 2025, Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) as w officially signed between the National Libraries of Tajikistan and Azerbaijan during a ceremony held in Dushanbe.

The agreement was inked by the director of the Azerbaijani National Library, Karim Tahirov, and the director of the Tajikistan National Library, Farzalizada Jumakhon.

This memorandum provides a framework for enhanced collaboration between the two institutions, emphasising the exchange of books, publications, and other cultural materials to foster mutual understanding and strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations.

It also sets the stage for joint activities and projects aimed at promoting literacy, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting scholarly research.

Azerbaijani boxer Subhan Babayev has kicked off the U-19 European Championship with a win, Azernews reports.

The national team member competing in the 60 kg weight category eliminated Luka Crnogorac (Croatia) in the round of 16.

The boxer defeated his opponent with a score of 3:1 (29:27, 28:27, 29:27, 28:28, 27:29).

Babayev will face Simonas Puniskis (Lithuania) in the quarterfinals. The bout is scheduled for October 4.

It should be noted that the European Championship will conclude on October 9.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been chosen multiple times to host major boxing events.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, which was the first youth tournament to serve as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.

The country also hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the primary qualification event for the London 2012 Olympics.

Google has cut more than 100 design jobs, according to recent reports. Employees from the “quantitative user experience research” and “platform and service experience” teams within the cloud technology division, along with staff from several other departments, were laid off earlier this week, Azernews reports.

These roles typically involve using data, surveys, and other analytical tools to understand user behavior and influence product design decisions. The report also highlights that some cloud technology development teams have been reduced by as much as half, with a significant portion of the layoffs affecting employees based in the United States.

Some employees were reportedly given until early December to secure another position within Google. These layoffs come as part of broader organizational changes linked to the company’s increased focus and investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Just last month, Wired magazine revealed that over 200 contractors working on AI projects like Gemini and AI Overviews were also let go.

The report further pointed out underlying tensions related to wages and working conditions. Some insiders believe that the layoffs were partially intended to quell growing protests over low salaries and job insecurity.

Earlier this year, in February, Google also laid off staff from its cloud technology division, stating the need to concentrate on areas deemed ‘critical to our business and ensuring our long-term success.’

These cuts reflect the tech giant’s strategic pivot towards AI-driven innovation, which is reshaping how products are developed and delivered. However, the challenge remains balancing rapid technological advancement with maintaining employee morale and trust-a delicate act that many companies in Silicon Valley are currently navigating.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and atomic technologies, Azernews reports.

The talks were held between Chairman of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov.

The meeting focused on exchanging expertise in the regulation and oversight of the atomic industry, ensuring nuclear and radiation safety, environmental monitoring, and the handling of radioactive materials.

Both sides also discussed training and upskilling specialists, diversifying cooperation prospects, and introducing modern nuclear technologies.

‘Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are brotherly nations, united by long-standing ties and a shared commitment to the safe and peaceful development of nuclear energy. We are determined to continue exchanging expertise and strengthening our cooperation, which will benefit both our countries and the wider region,’ said Satkaliyev.

The two-day European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen concluded with a number of notable moments for Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev held meetings with several European leaders, engaging in both political and economic consultations. Alongside discussions on bilateral relations, there was also an exchange of views with European Union leadership regarding Azerbaijan-Europe ties.

Among the most significant meetings was the encounter with French President Emmanuel Macron. In recent years, relations between Baku and Paris have been strained, with Azerbaijan strongly criticizing the biased approach of certain French politicians in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as well as France’s colonialist undertones in global politics. French officials condemned this posture as a response; meanwhile, they have insisted that their position was ‘neutral.’

Despite this tension, there have been visible efforts in recent months to ease relations. Importantly, the disagreements were mostly political-economic cooperation, while occasionally affected, largely remained stable. Trade figures from January to August illustrate this: Azerbaijan exported goods worth $46,318,400 to France, while French exports to Azerbaijan stood at $159,398,940. According to the State Customs Committee’s data, this figure is nearly the same as in previous years, and France continues to be one of the leading trading nations in the EU.

The Aliyev-Macron meeting in Copenhagen signaled that both sides were interested in restoring relations. It is likely that the initiative came largely from the French side, which appears to have recognized that its previous missteps brought no benefit. France understands that worsening ties with Baku would undermine both its political influence and economic interests in the South Caucasus. It’s important to remember that we are already at the start of a quite ideal period in the region, and Paris wouldn’t wish to be one of the parties that misses this opportunity.

Azerbaijan’s growing influence-particularly after the Washington Agreement-has further elevated Baku’s role on the European stage. European leaders have openly congratulated President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the achievement, while also expressing their intention to strengthen ties with Azerbaijan. Even Macron, long accused of siding with Yerevan, has taken steps to improve relations.

This shift reflects a broader reality: Azerbaijan has become an indispensable player in regional and Eurasian affairs. The opening of the Zangezur corridor and progress in connectivity projects such as the Belt and Road initiative strengthen Europe’s access to alternative routes, reducing dependency on Russia. At the same time, Baku holds a unique position as the only actor capable of mediating with Trkiye and other Turkic states to facilitate the transport of Central Asian energy resources to the West.

For this reason, European leaders increasingly view President Ilham Aliyev as a key guarantor of regional stability and energy security. His participation in the EPC summit in Denmark serves as yet another indicator of Azerbaijan’s growing international weight.

It is also worth recalling that relations between Azerbaijan and France were once at a high point, particularly during the presidencies of François Mitterrand and Nicolas Sarkozy, and even in the early years of Macron’s rule. Azerbaijan has contributed to French cultural heritage projects such as the renovation of the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral, while French energy companies like Chevron have long been active in Azerbaijan’s Caspian energy sector.

The Copenhagen meeting, set against the backdrop of ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace efforts, could therefore mark the beginning of a new era in French-Azerbaijani relations. France remains one of the leading powers in the EU, and for Azerbaijan-committed to strengthening ties with European states-relations with Paris retain strategic importance.

The 9th meeting of the Coordination Committee between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Germany’s energy company Uniper was held recently.

Azernews reports, according to a statement from SOCAR that the meeting opened with remarks from SOCAR Vice President Elshad Nasirov, Uniper SE’s Chief Commercial Officer Karsten Poppinga, and Germany’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Dr. Ralf Horlemann.

Following the opening speeches, SOCAR Vice President Ziba Mustafayeva delivered the keynote address.

The speakers highlighted the ongoing success of the long-term and mutually beneficial partnership between SOCAR and Uniper. They emphasized the strategic importance of their joint projects in strengthening Europe’s energy security. Special attention was given to the continued efforts to expand cooperation between the two companies across various areas.

Presentations were also delivered on key topics including the SOCAR-Uniper partnership, the current status of the Southern Gas Corridor, European energy policy and emerging trends, energy transition, sustainability, decarbonization, public relations, and human resources strategies. These sessions sparked constructive discussions among participants.

The meeting also underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the areas of communication and corporate social responsibility.

At the conclusion of the event, SOCAR and Uniper signed a new Cooperation Program covering the years 2025-2026.

The collection “Shebeke” by the famous Azerbaijani designer Gulnara Khalilova has been successfully presented at Turkistan World Craft Fest-2025, held in the city of Turkestan, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports.

The festival took place as part of the opening of the “Craftsmen’s Village” in Turkestan.

The “Shebeke” collection, inspired by traditional Azerbaijani stained glass art, became a true highlight of the festival. This collection, which combines modern design elements with national art, generated significant interest.

“The Craftsmen’s Village is envisioned as a center for cultural tourism and education in the field of crafts. It will preserve and pass on traditional technologies to future generations. The main goal is not only to showcase the rich traditions of handicraft art but also to strengthen cultural ties between Turkic-speaking nations,” said Gulnara Khalilova.

Participants in the festival included representatives from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Tajikistan, Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. Each presented unique handmade items reflecting the culture and craft traditions of their country. The main focus was on ceramics, textiles, works in carpet weaving, and jewelry-making. The event also featured presentations of traditional technologies, craft fairs, workshops, gastronomic zones, and folklore performances.

Gulnara Khalilova is the head of the Azerbaijan National Costume Center, a member of the Eurasian Association of Ethno-Designers, a Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, and the founder of the Cizgi brand.

Her collections have been successfully showcased at Fashion Weeks and international events in the USA, the UK, Sweden, Austria, Romania, Turkiye, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Norway, Serbia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and other countries.

On October 2, a ceremonial event was held to announce the results of the 7th Baku International Architecture Competition, Azernews reports.

Head of the Baku Media Center, also participated in the event.

Elbay Gasimzada, the Chairman of the Board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, stated that the Baku International Architecture Competition had been held for the 7th time since 2013.

He recalled that in the first competition, more than 100 projects from 20 countries were presented. He continued, saying, “We decided to continue this tradition and repeat it every two years. The number of participants has been growing year by year. In this competition, 270 projects from about 40 countries were presented. This competition is one of the 5 most prestigious competitions of the International Union of Architects. The jury has always consisted of 5 members, 4 of whom are internationally recognized foreign experts from the International Union of Architects. The competition, held in seven categories, is quite reputable.”

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli mentioned that, within the framework of the Baku International Architecture Competition, many renowned architects from around the world gather every two years in our capital to participate in solving the most important issues and contribute to the development of this field.

“President Ilham Aliyev provides sustainable and comprehensive support for the development of architecture. First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva is a patron of Azerbaijani culture. Mehriban Aliyeva gives special attention to architecture as an essential part of culture and contributes to the preservation, restoration, and transfer of cultural heritage to future generations. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and the head of the Baku Media Center, Arzu Aliyeva, also closely support cultural projects and are, in general, the closest friends of cultural figures and architects,” the minister added.

Then, the members of the competition’s jury were awarded the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan’s highest award, the academic Mikayil Huseynov Commemorative Medal.

Following that, the results of the competition were announced. The top three winners in each category were honored.

The event continued with an artistic program.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his official social media accounts regarding 3 October – Turkic States Cooperation Day, Azernews reports.

The post reads: ‘3 October is Turkic States Cooperation Day.

It was on this day in 2009 that the Organization of Turkic States was founded in Azerbaijan’s ancient land of Nakhchivan.

I wish to sincerely congratulate the Turkic world on this significant day.

The Turkic world is our family!

Over the past 16 years, our organization has strengthened, achieved greater global influence, and expanded its membership.

The Organization of Turkic States has made a significant contribution to strengthening cooperation between our countries in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, and to further consolidating solidarity among the Turkic peoples.

Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to strengthen the unity of the Turkic world. Our brotherhood is eternal!’.