Ganja-European Youth Capital 2016: fostering youth participation and cultural diversity
The election of Ganja as the European Youth Capital is quite natural and logical because Azerbaijan is one of rare countries in the world holding membership both at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Council of Europe.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said in a letter addressed to participants of the Ganja European Youth Capital 2016 project.
“Ganja, which is home to the master luminaries, prominent scientists and public figures, is famous for its rich history, unique monuments and spiritual culture. As a result of measures taken in recent years, the face of this historic city has significantly changed, and its infrastructure has been thoroughly refreshed. Ganja has become a city well intervening antiquity and modernity as well as oriental style architecture and Western modernism organically,” the president said.
Aliyev noted that achievements in youth policy, close cooperation of national youth organizations with relevant international platforms as well as organization of events of regional, continental and global scale at the highest level played an important role in awarding the city such a prestigious title.
Dozens of European youth cameback in Azerbaijan’s beautiful corner of Ganja to join the grand opening of the project.
Ganja, becoming the eighth European Youth Capital, will focus this year on its five priorities, including volunteering, youth employment, social cohesion, active participation and education.
During the year, the country’s second-largest city will showcase its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life and development through a multi-faceted program.
Visitors from a number of European countries including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria and others, as well as representatives of a variety of international organizations, youth, sports and culture departments made a city tour, visiting many sightseeing of Ganja.
The opening ceremony of the "Ganja European Youth Capital" project was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on May 4.
Azerbaijani President's Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, heads of central executive bodies, representatives of the European Youth Forum, members of the Network of European Youth Capitals, as well as the representatives of international organizations attended the event.
Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov, addressing the event, underlined significance of choosing Ganja as the youth capital of Europe for the city and youth.
After the event, opening of the House of Youth was held. The fourstorey House of Youth, built in the Heydar Aliyev Park in Ganja has been equipped with a conference room, gyms and rooms for various circles.All conditions have been created there for the effective organization of the leisure time of the youth. During two days the delegations
visited the Mehseti Gan- javi Center, dedicated to the first Azerbaijani poetess, first chess player, first renowned female musician and composer born in Ganja in 1089.
The representative of the European Youth Forum Laura Lubonova noted that it’s her first visit of Ganja.
“I visited the museum of Mehseti Ganjavi. I was very pleased to see the cultural center that bears a woman's name, because I am a feminist myself. Upon returning home I will tell my friends about this outstanding woman,” she said.
The guests also visited Nizami Ganjavi’s Mausoleum, the 12th century greatest representative of the Eastern Renaissance, displayed the quintessence of world literature and philosophy in his immortal work “Khamsa” (Five). The work which includes five poems of the national poet who lived in late 12th and early 13th century,has kept its relevance to date, and underlined that the poet's eternal ideas are guiding the mankind.
The unique manuscripts of his works are stored in well-known libraries and museums in many cities of the world, including Baku, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Tashkent, Tabriz, Tehran, Cairo, Is
tanbul, Delhi, London, and Paris.
The guests got acquainted with military history, lifestyle, culture and traditions of Ganja by visiting the Ganja Gates of the Fortress Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography.
Vice-President of the Moldavian Youth Council Carolina Dodon underlined the beauty and rich history of the city.
“You have to appreciate and love it. Moldova is also a beautiful country. I do not see any difference between the youth of both countries. Two years ago I was in Baku. Baku is active and bustling city. Ganja, in turn, is the city of fairy tales: a quiet, nice, with a rich history. The buildings are very beautiful, harmonious. It’s pleasant to walk along the streets,” she said.
European guests also went to the National Park to see the pearl of Azerbaijan’s nature Goygol. Located some 384 kilometers of the capital Baku, Goygol is the adornment of Ganja region.
A large mountain lake surrounded by the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus was formed as a result of a devastating earthquake that destroyed the Kapaz Mountain in the 12th century.
A representative of the project "Cluj-Napoca - European Youth Capital 2015",Tamas Szabo, said that it’s his first visit to Azerbaijan.
“Since it’s my first visit, everything seems to me very interesting. One feels that the city and suburbs are very well developed in terms of economy and infrastructure. I love the mountains, but because of the fog could not see them. So I need to come here again,” he emphasized.
A concert of national and foreign singers was held at Ganja’s main square on May 5, within the framework of the project.
Guests of the city and residents enjoyed performances by the worldfamous national mugham singer,Alim Gasimov, national ensemble “Natiq Ritm” and well-know Alexandra Stan and Ingrid, who performed the national masterpiece song “Sari Gelin”.
Ganja, with its ancient history of more than 4,000 years, is home to four universities, four colleges and 34 student organizations and youth NGOs. Sport is also developing in the city, as now it has an Olympic Complex with its modern sports equipment and infrastructures. About 30 percent of the city’s population is young people.
The city was also the capital of Azerbaijan, when the country first declared its independence in 1918, thus playing a leading role in the history of the country.