Tehran – A meeting to discuss the expansion of cultural ties between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the Ministry of Culture in Baku, including the Joint Culture Week and Daily Organization.
The event was attended by Iran’s Islamic Cultural Organization (ICRO) and senior cultural representatives in Azerbaijan, Irna reported on Saturday.
During the session, Abdolreza Rashed, representative of ICRO’s regional and international relations development, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cultural relations between the two countries.
“Just as the presidents of both countries have committed to strengthening bilateral relations, cultural authorities must also devote their efforts to achieving these shared goals,” he said.
He further explained that ICRO is responsible for strengthening and coordinating cultural relations worldwide. The development of cultural exchange is of paramount importance as a foundation for expanding cooperation across other sectors.
Rashed has identified the main objectives of the conference, as it explores the organization of Culture Week between Iran and Azerbaijan. He proposed that these cultural weeks would initially be held in both countries’ capitals, allowing for the experience of accumulation before expanding the programme to other cities.
Rashd also announced that Tabriz city officials have expressed their readiness to hold Azerbaijan Culture Week. He also suggested that beyond Tabriz, Aldabil and Urmia, other Iranian cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad would be considered potential hosts for Azerbaijan’s cultural week.
He also outlined the diverse components planned for Culture Week, including handicrafts, traditional art, music, film, theater, performing arts and animation, cultural technology and creative industries, calligraphy, miniature art, fashion, cuisine, literature and other cultural topics.
He proposed to visit cultural facilities in Baku, Ganja and Naktiban to assess potential venues and resources. Rashd also highlighted the Shahrian Conference held in Tabriz, and invited Azerbaijani researchers, writers and enthusiasts of Iranian poets. Additionally, he invites Azerbaijan cultural delegations to visit selected Iranian cities and cultural sites, suggesting that the final implementation document for Culture Week will be signed in Tehran.
Farid Jafarov, deputy director of international relations at the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, has expressed that Azerbaijan is ready to hold a week of joint culture and daily reference to the signing of President Azerbaijan’s recent visit and memorandum of understanding of cultural exchange.
He emphasized the importance of retaining these events at the highest level, deepening bilateral cultural relations.
Jafarov also highlighted Azerbaijani’s interest in hosting Azerbaijani cultural eras in Tehran, Tabriz, Aldabil and Urmia, and highlighted plans to feature concerts, theatrical performances and traditional Azerbaijani dances in Iran.
Hussein Muradov, Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, and Culture in Azerbaijan, emphasized the importance of cooperation in film and traditional music, and emphasized that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is organizing the international Mugam music competition in Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, both parties agreed to adjust the exact dates of the cultural week, establish rules and regulations, and consider potential limitations. The timing of the cultural week is set after Nowruz 1405 (March 2026), with Iran and Azerbaijan each scheduled their own events.
The session concluded with a detailed review of the logistic arrangements and plans for Iran and Azabaijan Culture Week, which aims to promote close relations through a common cultural celebration.
sab/