Azerbaijan’s Lachin hosts official opening ceremony of CIS Cultural Capital 2025

The city of Lachin hosted a landmark cultural event on Tuesday as it officially opened its term as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Cultural Capital for 2025. The celebration drew around 100 officials and guests from six CIS member states, marking a significant step in the cultural revit

A Symbolic Moment in a Rebuilt City

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture Adil Karimli underscored the symbolism of Lachin’s selection, referencing both its natural beauty and deep cultural roots. “The word ‘Lachin’ means ‘falcon’ in Azerbaijani,” Karimli noted. “Like a falcon soaring among the high mountains, this city embodies strength, resilience, and cultural wealth.”

Karimli highlighted Lachin’s historical role as a cultural hub, known for its poets, musicians, and particularly its Gasimushshaghi carpets, a unique contribution to Azerbaijan’s world-renowned carpet weaving tradition. He also praised the city’s culinary heritage, calling its cuisine “a work of art in itself.”

International Participation and Recognition

Among the distinguished speakers were:

Nurlan Seytimov, Deputy Secretary-General of the CIS

Polad Bulbuloghlu, Co-chairman of the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund

Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the President in Lachin

Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation

During the ceremony, Shvydkoy formally presented the “Union Cultural Capital” Certificate to Masim Mammadov, confirming Lachin’s new cultural status under the CIS framework.

Artistic and Diplomatic Dimensions

Artistic collectives from seven countries took part in the festivities, underscoring the cross-cultural collaboration that defines the CIS Cultural Capital initiative. The event is expected to catalyze a yearlong calendar of cultural exhibitions, performances, and educational activities throughout Lachin.

Broader Implications

Lachin’s hosting of this event holds strategic significance for Azerbaijan, showcasing the country’s efforts to rebuild and reintegrate territories regained during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The cultural capital designation provides a platform for presenting restoration projects, including the Aghoghlan Temple, and reasserting Lachin’s historic and cultural identity on the international stage.

This marks a pivotal chapter in Lachin’s modern narrative — from a region marked by conflict to one recognized for its cultural richness and potential for regional diplomacy.

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