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.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in Baku, as the two countries look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.
The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform, initiated by Azerbaijan, was held in Bonn, Germany this week.
Azerbaijan continues the process of evacuating Azerbaijani citizens and foreigners from Iran, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MFA), along with the embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the consulate general in Tabriz.
The official opening ceremony of the 'Azerbaijan' residential complex, constructed by Azerbaijan in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, was held on Thursday and was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until September 15 due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
A 32°C heatwave expected to grip England has been made a 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change, according to a rapid scientific analysis released Thursday.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on International Multimodal Transportation.”
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in Baku, as the two countries look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until September 15 due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Russia intends to withdraw from its long-standing agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, citing that relevant internal procedures are currently underway.
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
Azerbaijan and Poland discussed closer cooperation in digital tax reforms and innovation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the IOTA General Assembly in Baku.
A 32°C heatwave expected to grip England has been made a 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change, according to a rapid scientific analysis released Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment