Baku, 21 February, P.Imanova

On 21 February the participants of the VIII International Winter School of Multiculturalism “The Literary-Artistic Sources of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” visited Baku International Centre of Multiculturalism (BICM).

The participants of the project, which involves the students from the leading universities of 16 countries in the world, met with the Chair of the Board of Trustees of BICM, Academician Kamal Abdullayev and the Head of the Department of Interethnic Relations, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Pointing out the successful implementation of the important projects associated with the maintenance and advocacy of multicultural traditions in our country, K.Abdullayev spoke of the Azerbaijani state’s policy of multiculturalism and its achievements in this field. K.Abdullayev, who said that the international winter and summer schools of multiculturalism are held at President Ilham Aliyev’s initiative, pointed out the maintenance and development of multicultural traditions as one of the guidelines of the Azerbaijani state policy. As a target of our state, important projects are being implemented in this line, important steps are taken to build close relations and sincere ties of friendship between the Azerbaijani students and their foreign peers.

It was noted that the aim of the international winter and summer schools of multiculturalism organized twice a year is to enable the students studying Azerbaijani multiculturalism to see their theoretical knowledge with their own eyes in our country where multicultural and tolerant values are maintained.

K.Abdullayev, who said that the course “Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” is taught by BICM at foreign universities in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Indonesia, Russia, Georgia and other foreign countries, stated that the significance of this course is extremely great in the study of the Azerbaijani language, culture, literature, art, socio-political situation, all the truth related to our country. Further, the students of these universities are invited to our country to familiarize themselves with the multicultural ambiance in Azerbaijan and the organization of the school of multiculturalism for the 8^th time is the visual proof of it.

K.Abdullayev said, “Our aim is to see that the close relations between the Azerbaijani and foreign youth continue further after the winter and summer schools are over. I hope that these relations and the sincere friendly ties will further continue. I would like you, young people, love my motherland Azerbaijan like your own country. The participants of winter and summer schools can build their relations with Azerbaijan in future through our Centre.”

The Chair of the Board of Trustees said that the students attending the summer and winter schools have established “The Club of Azerbaijan’s Young Friends” at the Centre and wished the youth to join that Club.

Etibar Najafov, who spoke at the meeting and stated that numerous international events held in Azerbaijan are the sign of development of multiculturalism and traditions of tolerance, and that great attention is attached to this field in our country. He gave information on the program, the closing ceremony of the VIII International Winter School of Multiculturalism and mentioned about the meetings with the participants during their trip.

The participants from Greece, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Nepal, Georgia, Africa, Serbia, Japan and other countries spoke of the program of the winter school and expressed their satisfaction from the conditions created for them, thanked the Azerbaijani government and BICM. The visitors, who are leaving with pleasant impressions of the places they have been in the frames of the trip, emphasized the hospitality of our nation.

Further, the participants of the Winter School got answers to their questions.

It should be mentioned that the Winter School is being attended by the students from such countries as Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Serbia, India, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Japan, Spain, Tajikistan, Greece, Portugal, Russian, Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of San Tome and Principe, Brazil. The participants of the Winter School listened to the lectures on the multicultural state, tolerant ambiance, ethnic-religious diversity in Azerbaijan, the peaceful co-existence of the representatives of different nationalities, diverse confessions in our country.