Gunay Afandiyeva, the President of the International Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation (TCHF), paid an official visit to Hungary. As part of the visit of the head of the TCHF, located in Baku, Azerbaijan, a film screening took place at the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. At the event, the Azerbaijani film “The unique pearl of Shusha” was screened. The first showing was attended by H. E. Ambassador János Hóvári, the Head of the Hungarian Representation Office of the Organization of Turkish States (OTS), as well as the project managers and the staff of the Office.
In his greeting, Tahir Tagli-Zadeh, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Budapest, recalled that his country is experiencing a busy, festive season, as three famous holiday dates in Azerbaijan also fall in May. The day of the victory over fascism, then the 100th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding historical figure Heydar Aliyev were commemorated on May 10, 2023. May 28 is the Day of the Republic in Azerbaijan.
János Hóvári emphasized that one of the most important aspects of cooperation between the Turkic world and Hungary is culture, heritage protection and the involvement of the younger generations. “The relations between Hungary and Azerbaijan have been continuously developing over the past ten years. The two countries are strategic partners of each other”. Ambassador Hóvári reminded that both countries have great historical political personalities. In Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev’s ten-year presidency stabilized the country, launched an economic boom and laid the solid foundations for the development of the modern Azerbaijani state.
Günay Afandiyeva first thanked Representation Office of the OTS for organizing the event, and also the University of the Reformed Church in Hungary that hosted the event. She said that on that day, those who interested could watch a film about the life of one of the most famous Azerbaijani poets and philanthropists living in the 19th century. She emphasized the life and work of Khursidbanu Natavan, born in Karabakh, Shusha, set an example for the citizens of Azerbaijan and other nations in terms of selflessness, love of one’s land and family, and commitment to knowledge and creativity. The Azerbaijani nation, which suffered a lot in the 19th and 20th centuries, draws strength from Natavan’s work. Shusha was declared the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan in 2021. Shusha holds the title of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for one year in 2023. Ms. Afandiyeva said that TCHF wants to set up a worthy memorial to Khursidbanu Natavan’s work. After screening the film, the Budapest Youth Turkic Ensemble performed a highly successful musical production.
During her busy program in Hungary, Günay Afandiyeva held several meetings with her Hungarian partners and participated in the official Republic Day ceremony of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Budapest where Sándor Lezsák, the Vice-Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament offered a ceremonial welcome.
