http://www.pakobserver.net/200908/28/news/world05.asp
First lady of Azerbaijan nominated for award of "Great woman of XXI
century"
FIRST lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation,
UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was nominated to
the award of "Great Woman of the XXI century". The candidacy was nominated by
Atis Bankas, professor of Toronto Royal Conservatory, Artistic Director of
Music Niagara and the Niagara International Chamber Musical Festival, Nina
Kogan, professor of Moscow Conservatory, Vice President of "Silk Road"
Committee of the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival, Laureate of
International Competitions, Ismayil Hajiyev, President of the "Silk Road"
Committee of the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival, chief
coordinator and artistic director of Toronto Silk Road Chamber Orchestra and
Virginia Mainprize, Managing Director of the Niagara International Chamber
Music Festival, who applied to Mr. J.M. Evans, President of American
Biographical Institute.
A qualified physician, Mehriban Aliyeva is actively engaged in the areas
of culture, education and sport. Since 1995, through her charitable foundation
"Friends of Azerbaijan Culture" she has helped to increase knowledge of her
country`s cultural wealth, while working to ensure its conservation at national
and regional levels through such manifestations as festivals, exhibitions,
cultural events and concerts. Mrs. Aliyeva has initiated the establishment of a
Mugham Center in Baku in order to promote the traditional classical music of
Azerbaijan. Mugham is a form of Azerbaijani folk music.
At the international level Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has initiated the
large-scale cultural event in Niagara - "Days of Azerbaijani Mugham", which
became an exciting event in the cultural life of North America. Mrs. Aliyeva
was the initiator and inspirer of the opening the Committee of " Silk Road"
within the organizational structure of Niagara Festival, the purpose of which
is to promote the great music and cultural heritage of the countries lying on
the ancient Silk Road, as a symbol of spiritual unity and understanding of
humanity. Upon her recommendations the Ministry of Culture, Embassy of
Azerbaijan in Canada, Governmental Committee on relations with the Diaspora,
and other relevant organizations in Azerbaijan supporting annually the
sponsorship of Niagara International Festival for the realization of this very
important event, which serves a convergence and integration of the cultural
riches of the East and West.
Given all these merits and achievements the Niagara Festival honored Mrs.
M. Aliyeva with the highest award of the festival "World Golden Rose Award"
which is an ancient symbol of a human pursuing a high spiritual and
evolutionary mission to the convergence and integration of world cultures and
civilizations in order to achieve universal peace and prosperity throughout the
world.
Mrs. Aliyeva has also received many prizes and awards both from the
leadership of UNESCO and ISESCO as well as from many other prestigious
international organizations for her special services to the global culture, in
establishing a permanent cultural and political dialogue between the
civilizations of East and West. In her role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs.
Aliyeva supports the Organization's activities for the safeguarding of
intangible cultural heritage, especially oral traditions and expressions,
performing arts and traditional craftsmanship.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been funding reconstruction of religious
monuments across the country since 2006. Last year a mosque in Buzovna,
catholic and orthodox churches in the country were reconstructed as part of the
"Azerbaijan-Home to Tolerance" project. Eminent women, including Queen
Elizabeth II, mother Teresa, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were
awarded the title of "Great Woman of the XXI century".
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