Baku: The opening ceremony of the ‘OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025’ was held in Baku in collaboration with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and organized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The ceremony included a special video presentation highlighting the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, in his opening remarks, underscored the festival’s goals as a platform for dialogue, partnership, and innovation among creative professionals from across the Islamic world. The event aims to foster collaboration to boost cultural diplomacy and integrate creative industries globally. The festival is expected to host over 300 international participants from more than 40 countries and attract over 5,000 visitors. It promises to significantly contribute to the expansion and development of relations among participants in the creative industries while offering visitors a range of creative and innovative solutions.
The OIC Assistant Secretary-General and the organization’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Tariq Ali Bakheet, expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his support in strengthening Islamic solidarity. He highlighted the festival’s importance as a venue for unity, dialogue, and cultural rapprochement among OIC member states.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to participate in initiatives fostering Islamic solidarity and promoting shared cultural values. He praised Azerbaijan’s efforts in cultural diplomacy and its contributions to cultural interaction regionally and globally.
Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hanno, recognized Azerbaijan’s role as a hub for cultural preservation, creativity, and cooperation within the Islamic world.
Other distinguished speakers, including Libya’s Minister of Culture and Cognitive Development, Mabrouka Toghi; Palestinian Minister of Culture, Abdullah Salim Hamdan; and Turkish Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister, Nadir Alpaslan, appreciated Azerbaijan’s contribution to strengthening Islamic solidarity. They portrayed the festival as a platform to showcase the Islamic world’s diversity, creativity, and progressive cultural policies, fostering unity, heritage appreciation, and interfaith dialogue.
The artistic program included the Azerbaijani national dance ‘Yaylig,’ performed by Ibrahim Babayev (tar), Parviz Mammadov (piano), and Vafadar Ramiz (percussion). The ceremony concluded with the composition ‘Shusha’ by Azerbaijani composer Kubra Karimli, performed by singer Aisel (Aysel Mammadova), accompanied by balaban player Fagan Alasgarli. After the performances, organizers and official guests toured the exhibition stands. The festival will run until December 11.