The opening ceremony of "Nakhchivan, the Capital of Islamic Culture-2018" events has been held in Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theater.

Prior to the event, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture of Algeria Azzedine Mihoubi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Historical and Cultural Heritage of Guinea Sanosi Bantama Sou, Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Culture of Tajikistan Shamsiddin Shodibe, Uzbek Culture Minister Bakhtiyor Sayfullaev, Secretary General of the International Turkic Culture Organization Dusen Kaseinov, President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Akif Alizade and others put flowers at the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

The event participants then visited Heydar Aliyev Museum and viewed the exhibits highlighting the great leader's life, political and statehood activities.

Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov handed a painting of Hachadagh to Director General of ISESCO Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and a painting of Batabat to Secretary General of the International Turkic Culture Organization Dusen Kaseinov.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vasif Talibov said: "Nakhchivan was proclaimed as the Islamic Culture Capital for 2018 during the 6th conference of Culture Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in October 2009 in Baku. The decision to select Nakhchivan as the Capital of Islamic Culture is a historic event."

The chairman of the Supreme Assembly declared a series of events to be hosted by Nakhchivan in the capacity of the Capital of Islamic Culture-2018 open.

Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri said: "We are greatly honored to be with you at this wonderful event. Nakhchivan`s selection as the Islamic Culture Capital is a historic occasion. First of all, I would like to thank President of the Republic of Azerbaijan His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev. He greatly contributes to his country and at the same time to Islamic initiatives. I would also like to sincerely thank Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov."

Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev said: "Historically recognized as one of the most important cities of the Near East and the Middle East, Nakhchivan has played a unique role in preserving centuries-long accomplishments of Islamic culture."

Nakhchivan State Philharmonic concluded the event with a concert.

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The same day, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly Vasif Talibov hosted an official reception for participants of the opening ceremony of "Nakhchivan, the Capital of Islamic Culture-2018" events.

AZERTAC