On September 12, another Honey Festival was held in Kalbajar district at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, APA reports.
The festival was jointly organized by the IDEA Public Union, the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kalbajar district, the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrarian Procurement and Supply OJSC, and the Azerbaijan Beekeepers Association.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kalbajar district, Bashir Hajiyev, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, officials of state institutions, and local residents attended the event.
Prior to the event, the delegation familiarized themselves with the construction work being carried out in the district. Bashir Hajiyev provided representatives of the diplomatic corps with detailed information about the large-scale restoration, reconstruction and improvement work carried out in Kalbajar district after its liberation from occupation.
It was stated that comprehensive measures are being implemented in the district to create modern infrastructure, ensure socio-economic development, reconstruct villages and towns, and ensure the return of the population to their native lands.
The festival then began with the performance of the National Anthem and a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our lands.
The main purpose of the festival is to promote Azerbaijani honey and its geographical branding, support local beekeepers, expand opportunities for access to local and foreign markets, as well as contribute to the development of tourism by promoting the history, nature and summer pastures of Kalbajar, increase interest in agritourism, ecotourism and rural tourism, and promote the region’s music, dances, cuisine and national-cultural heritage.
A total of 34 beekeeper farmers from the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, as well as other regions of the country, who have branded their products, participated in the Kalbajar Honey Festival. Participants of the “Young Beekeeper” project, implemented at the initiative of the IDEA Public Union to promote environmental entrepreneurship among young people, also exhibited their products at the festival. The display of honey and other beekeeping products produced by beekeepers, as well as innovative approaches and technologies applied in the field of beekeeping, attracted the interest of visitors.
Visitors, including representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, viewed various types of honey and beekeeping products presented by beekeeper farmers and received information about the production process and quality indicators. They exchanged views with beekeepers on seasonal productivity and sales opportunities.
Special Representative of the President in Kalbajar, Bashir Hajiyev, stated that under the leadership of the head of state, large-scale restoration and reconstruction work is being carried out in the liberated territories, settlements are being rebuilt, and our compatriots are returning to their native lands. He noted that beekeeping, one of Kalbajar’s ancient agricultural traditions, continues to develop today, and it is commendable that beekeepers are presenting their products at the Honey Festival. Bashir Hajiyev emphasized that he believes the festival will become a tradition and expand from year to year, contributing to the promotion of Kalbajar’s agricultural, tourism and economic potential both domestically and internationally.
Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov stated that, as part of the restoration and reconstruction work being carried out in the liberated territories under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, broad opportunities have been created for the development of agriculture, including beekeeping in Kalbajar. The fact that the seasonal relocation of 148,308 bee colonies belonging to 3,396 farmers to the district was permitted in 2026 is an indication of the interest in beekeeping. Minister Majnun Mammadov added that the products displayed in Kalbajar and the work of beekeepers demonstrate that beekeeping has great potential in Azerbaijan, and the main goal is to develop this potential, increase the quality and competitiveness of local beekeeping products, and turn Azerbaijani honey into a nationally produced product recognized internationally: “I believe that as a result of state support and joint efforts, Azerbaijani honey will further strengthen its position in both domestic and global markets in the coming years.”
A video prepared about the return to Kalbajar was then screened at the event.
The festival continued with a concert program.
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