On April 18, 2024, an event was organized in the territory of the “Keshikchidagh” State Historical-Cultural Reserve in connection with the declaration of “April 18 International Monuments and Historical Places Day” and 2024 in the Republic of Azerbaijan as the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World”. The event was organized on the initiative of the State Service of Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan at “The peak named after Ilham Aliyev” located in the reserve area. The main purpose of the event is to expand the promotion of our cultural heritage, to draw attention to the restoration of ecological balance, to protect the environment, to enrich the atmosphere with oxygen, and to direct the attention of the public and the young generation to the protection and increase of greenery.
At the event, the Aghstafa District Executive Power, Gazakh-Tovuz Regional Culture Department, Education Sector of the Gazakh-Tovuz Regional Education Department for the Aghstafa region, Gazakh-Tovuz Regional Youth and Sports Department, YAP Aghstafa regional organization, the staff of the “Avey” State Historical-Cultural Reserve, Aghstafa young volunteers working in the district, intellectuals of the district and scientists who conducted scientific research in the territory of the reserve also participated.
The event started with the welcoming ceremony of the participants at “The peak named after Ilham Aliyev”. The guests first got acquainted with the exhibition of material-cultural samples and printed products discovered during archaeological excavations from Keshikchidagh mound valley.
Opening the official part of the event, Musa Mursaguliyev, the director of the reserve, spoke about the importance of this significant day. Mr. Seymur Orujov, the head of the Aghstafa District Executive Power, made a speech at the event and stated that on April 18, 2024, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP 29 will be held on the territory of the country in Azerbaijan, including a series of events in Aghstafa district. Also, Mr. Orujov talked about the works done in connection with the promotion of monuments and the importance of protecting monuments.
Later, the guests got acquainted with the caves located in the area and the frescoes reflected on their walls and ceilings. On the occasion of declaring 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World” and April 18 International Day of Monuments and Historical Places, 100 tree saplings were planted and watered in the “Almond Garden” built around “The peak named after Ilham Aliyev”. In order to spend their free time more effectively, the participants of the event set up camps, drew pictures reflecting the mysterious nature and historical monuments of the Keshikchidagh caves complex, performed songs, dances “Terekama” and “Uzundere” on their musical instruments.
The event ended with a concert program by the children of the Children’s Music School named after H.Arif in Aghstafa city. The event was filmed by television channels such as Azerbaijan Television (AzTV), Dunya TV, Inter AZ, Ses TV. During the event, Lala Yusifzadeh, deputy director of the “Keshikchidagh” State Historical-Cultural Reserve, gave an interview to TV channels about the main purpose of the event, and Zibeyda Hajiyeva, a participant of the event, gave an interview to TV channels about the impressions the event created on the guests.
