Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Sabina Hajiyeva: Azerbaijan attaches special importance to protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage

28 October 2026 15:36 (UTC +04:00)

Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, along the historic Silk Road, Azerbaijan has been a meeting point of various civilizations, cultures, and religious traditions for centuries, APA reports.

Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, said this during a panel held as part of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku.

The Head of the State Service emphasized that 143 museums operate in Azerbaijan, 44 of which are under the Ministry of Culture. More than 1.2 million exhibits are preserved in these museums.

Sabina Hajiyeva highlighted the initiatives of First Vice-President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva aimed at protecting and restoring cultural heritage in Azerbaijan and abroad: “These projects demonstrate that the protection of cultural heritage can transcend national, cultural, and religious boundaries and become a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, promoting mutual respect, understanding, and international cooperation.”

According to the Head of the State Service, the restoration of churches, mosques, and other cultural heritage sites in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as the Vagif Poetry Days and the “Kharibulbul” International Music Festival held in Shusha, serves to transform historical sites into vibrant spaces for cultural expression and dialogue.

Sabina Hajiyeva added that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the protection and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage within the framework of cooperation with UNESCO and ICESCO.

She emphasized that museums and cultural heritage sites should not merely introduce the past but should also strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to building a more inclusive world.