Ilham Aliyev reviewed the Heydar Aliyev Museum at the Heydar Aliyev Center

A museum of Heydar Aliyev has been established at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have reviewed the museum and the work done at the Center.

The opening of the Heydar Aliyev Museum at the Heydar Aliyev Center on the eve of the 90th birthday anniversary of the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people and outstanding statesman Heydar Aliyev has been an important step towards perpetuating the memory of the brilliant personality. Every exhibit of the museum, which represents a high-level display of the life and activity of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and his rich heritage, confirms yet again that history is driven forward by the ideas and deeds of men of genius. In essence, the fate of the great leader is not just a life of one individual. It is the history of Azerbaijan of the second half of the 20th century. The history created by the nationwide leader has become a chronicle of salvation, development and national progress. The materials displayed at the museum also show that thanks to the Herculean efforts of Heydar Aliyev, the founder and creator of the independent state of Azerbaijan, ideas such as statehood, Azerbaijanism, secularism and modernity have become an integral part of the system of values of our society and formed the backbone of the existence and development of modern Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev created a mechanism for the transition to a democratic society in Azerbaijan, successfully coped with such a historic mission as the establishment of the rule of law and civil society. By his concept based on the factors of a strong state, an efficient economy and a free man, the great leader wrote the golden pages of the history of the independent Azerbaijan.

A number of exhibition halls of the museum demonstrate the richness of Azerbaijan’s history and culture. A wealth of information is displayed about the different periods of the country’s history. Ancient patterns of material culture are also exhibited.

First, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed the cars the great leader used during his leadership of Azerbaijan from 1969 to 2003.

The Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Anar Alakbarov, said that special attention in establishing the museum, which is intended to perpetuate the memory of the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people, was paid to the description of different periods in the history of Azerbaijan, as well as the life and work of great leader Heydar Aliyev. The information available at the museum is presented to visitors in an interactive way. Interesting facts about nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev at the three-storey building of the museum are presented with the aid of photo and video material. The museum is noted for its form and content. Materials are presented in two parallel contexts here. Along with nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev’s life from 1923 to 2003, visitors are also informed about important events that occurred in Azerbaijan’s public and political life in the fields of culture, economy and sport. The sections of the museum "Life in pictures", "Public and political life of Azerbaijan" and "Our statehood, heritage, achievements" provide a virtual demonstration of various aspects of the great leader’s activities both in Soviet times and during the years of independence. This further enhances the originality of the museum. Sound information on each topic is given in Azerbaijani and English languages.

The President and his wife were informed that one of the most interesting sections of the museum based on cutting-edge technologies is the multimedia room, which describes the great leader's meetings with leaders of different countries. When you touch the images of countries on the globe, photos of President Heydar Aliyev with the heads of other countries and the gifts presented to the great leader appear in the background. The gifts proper are exhibited as well. Also exhibited are the military and civilian clothes of the nationwide leader, as well as his desk. Valuable exhibits include medals the nationwide leader received in different years. Distinguished for its design and the application of state-of-the-art technology, the museum blends very well with the modern style of the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The Heydar Aliyev Center has implemented a number of projects for the residents and visitors of Baku to study and promote the history, customs and traditions, ethnic and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. It operates exhibitions on various subjects. There is an exhibition “Masterpieces of Azerbaijan” at the exhibition halls section of the Center on the first floor.

It demonstrates unique exhibits reflecting the inexhaustible natural resources, centuries-old history of the country and its cultural heritage. This exhibition is of interest as a modern interactive means of studying the history and culture of Azerbaijan. One of the most important features of the exhibition is that it describes all the periods of the history of Azerbaijan and displays items related to different areas of Azerbaijani culture. For instance, the exhibition displays unique samples of ancient crafts, in particular the Azerbaijani carpet weaving school. Particularly interesting is the demonstration of copper products. Ancient Azerbaijani musical instruments are presented in a quite interesting way – by means of sounds.

The exhibition displays traditional national clothes and old coins. Quite interesting for visitors are sacred books of different religions represented in Azerbaijan, a country known as the space of tolerance.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva visited the exhibition hall "Mini-Azerbaijan".

It was noted that this project is of particular importance from the point of view of promoting the historical and architectural monuments of Baku and regions of the country. Currently, models of 24 historical and architectural buildings are exhibited as part of the project. Visitors are provided with information and interesting facts about each building and its architectural style. "Mini-Azerbaijan" is a valuable project enabling residents and visitors to obtain information about the history and national architecture of Azerbaijan. Models of 21 other architectural monuments of Azerbaijan will be made in the future.

It was indicated that as part of a joint project the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation had prepared publications dedicated to the 90th birthday anniversary of the nationwide leader.

The President and his wife were informed that the exhibition hall "Welcome to Azerbaijan" was among the Center’s projects intended to promote Azerbaijan. It provides a virtual tour of the country. This exhibition reflects history, culture, art and nature of Azerbaijan and has many interesting features.

Another hall describes Azerbaijani culinary art through the language of photos. This is one of the Heydar Aliyev Center’s most important projects, as it perpetuates Azerbaijani traditions, popularizes our culture in the world and serves to promote world culture in Azerbaijan. The works of famous American photographer Peter Lippman, who lives and works in France, provide a tour over the rich world of Azerbaijani customs and traditions.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed the second conference hall established at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The total area of the second conference hall, located in the "Auditorium" section, is 1,811 square meters, while the height is 7.8 meters. The hall is intended for various events of national and international importance.

The Center also operates a café. The building has a landscaped area consisting of natural ornamental trees and flowers. In addition, there are different interactive kiosks, which provide visitors with information about the Center, ongoing events and various projects.

President Ilham Aliyev praised the work done and wished the Center’s team every success.