President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Astara.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the center and reviewed the conditions in it.
It was indicated that a major period in the development of Astara District and all other Azerbaijani districts is associated with nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev. The return of great leader Heydar Aliyev to political administration in the country has played an important role in the development of Astara and the rest of the republic. The people of Astara District will always remember the contributions of the nationwide leader to the motherland and the people, and measures are taken to perpetuate his memory. The Heydar Aliyev Center in Astara facilitates the study of the great leader’s vast heritage and address a whole epoch in the history of Azerbaijan.
President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the construction of the Heydar Aliyev Center, which is built in an ingenious architectural style, started in January of this year. There is a bust of the great leader at the entrance to the two-storey building.
While on the first floor, the head of state examined the stands with photos and materials documenting various periods of the great leader’s meaningful and diverse political activities, and watched a video on a wide-screen display.
President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the section on great leader Heydar Aliyev’s life and activities contains pictures of his childhood and youth, the large-scale work on the socioeconomic development of the republic that was carried out under his leadership in 1969-1982. Also demonstrated here are materials documenting the great leader’s creative activities in the public, political, social and cultural life of the country after return to political administration in Azerbaijan on persistent demands of the people in 1993. Particularly valuable are pictures documenting Heydar Aliyev’s meetings with representatives of the public and workers at different periods of leadership in the republic. Also on display are the pictures featuring the ingenious leader’s care for education, culture, healthcare, sport, army construction and the implementation of his oil strategy.
Then, on the second floor, the head of state was familiarized with a chess studio, the studios of graphic and decorative applied arts, and an electronic library.
It was indicated that the electronic library has 3,500 books. Using the 20 computers available here, readers can also access 11,416 electronic books of the electronic fund of the National Library. The electronic catalogue enables the search among 149,983 books using a bibliographic index. It is also possible to find the electronic version of almost 500 books published in Latin script according to a Resolution signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2004. The “European Libraries” electronic catalogue provides access to libraries of 48 countries. It is possible to establish contact with foreign libraries using the site of the National Library.
The decorative and applied arts studio will be producing miniature carpets. Carpet-weaving courses for young people will also be organized here, as 20-30 young people can study the secrets of this ancient craft every day. It was stressed that this would contribute to the development of carpet-weaving in Astara. Children will be taught the games of chess and draughts at the chess studio. It will also host various competitions. The Center has a studio of graphic arts, enabling young people to explore their talents. The Center will play an important part in expanding young people’s world outlook, knowledge and skills.
President Ilham Aliyev left a note in the book of distinguished guests.
The head of state expressed his satisfaction with the work done.
