On 15 February the participants of the VI International Winter School of Multiculturalism “Dialogue Among Civilizations: New Challenges” held by President Ilham Aliyev’s recommendation and organizational support of Baku International School of Multiculturalism returned from Gabala to Shamakhi. In the conference hall of the hotel “Shirvan” they listened to the lectures “The Political and Legal Bases of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” by the Acting Executive Director of Baku International Centre of Multiculturalism Ravan Hasanov and “The Literary-Artistic and Philosophical Sources of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” by the Head of the Department of Analytics of the Centre PhD Rashad Ilyasov.

The lecturer Ravan Hasanov who said that though multiculturalism has been formed in Azerbaijan as a result of historical development, its political foundations were laid by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and it has been successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev today, pointed out Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the UNO, OSCE, EU and the Organization of Islamic Solidarity after it gained its independence. He emphasized that Azerbaijan, which has joined over 50 international documents related to ethnic-national minorities and religious confessions, has reflected them in its internal legislation. He noted that the norms ratified in the frames of the cooperation with international organizations and reflected in international documents have been fixed in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and related legislation acts and are of special importance in the maintenance of the multicultural ambiance in the country. The violation of these norms generates responsibility in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Article 18 (Religion and State), Article 21 (State Language), Artcile 25 (Right to Equality), Article 44 (Right to National and Ethnic Identity), Article 45 (Right to Use Native Language), Article 48 (Freedom of Consciousness) of our Constitution, which is the basic document of legislation, play the part of a guarantee in the maintenance of ethnic and cultural, linguistic and religious diversities.

Referring to the creative works of different world-known poets and philosophers of Azerbaijan, PhD Ravan Hasanov described and analized their multicultural and tolerant thoughts in his lecture. During the lecture the ideas of multiculturalism in Azerbaijani literature and philosophical view were interpreted on the basis of examples and quotations. Azerbaijan’s rich heritage in this field has made its contribution to the world civilization and multicultural environment from the perspective of historical, literary-artistic and philsophical thinking.

Following the lectures, the students’ questions were answered. Thorough information was provided in answer to the questions by the students – Annissatul (Indonesia), Muhammad Ehsan (Afghanistan) and others on intercultural conflicts, the ways of dissemination of the literary-artistic sources of Azerbaijani multiculturalism in our country, the impact of the multicultural values in the works of Nizami, Fizuli on the current state and other issues.

In the afternoon the students visited the village of Ivanovka resided by the Molokans in the district of Ismayilli and met with the indigenous people. The participants of the International School of Multiculturalism got information on the history of the village and the Molokans’ lifestyle, everyday life. It was stated that the village of Ivanovka was founded by the Russians deported to the Caucasus in 1847 under the Czar. According to the latest statistics, the population of the village is over 3 thousand people. The village is said to be named in honour of its founder Ivan Pershin.

Ivanovka is the only village in Azerbaijan where there is still a collective farm. About 1000 farms have been registered in the collective farm founded in 1930. The products manifactured in Ivanovka, which is known for its natural foods and drinks, are sent to many areas of the Republic for sale. All the products including the dairy products and food products prepared under best hygenic conditions as well as butter, the Ivanovka bread and drinks  are among the products demanded not only in the village but in all corners of the Republic. Although the residents of Ivanovka are completely Russians, one can notice the Azerbaijani customs along with their ancient Russian traditions in their customs and traditions.

The performances of “Ivanovka Folklore Group” were warmly applauded by the participants of the VI International School of Multiculturalism.

Запись The Participants of the VI International Winter School of Multiculturalism in the Village of Ivanovka, Ismayilli впервые появилась Baku International Multiculturalism Centre.