On 7 May 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Bulgaria hosted a commemorative event marking the 103rd anniversary of the birth of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.

The event brought together senior representatives of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ambassadors accredited to Bulgaria and members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of political, public, and academic circles, as well as members of the Azerbaijani community in Bulgaria.

Opening the event, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Bulgaria, Elmar Mammadov, underscored the exceptional historical role and enduring political legacy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in consolidating Azerbaijani statehood, safeguarding the country’s independence, and strengthening Azerbaijan’s standing within the international system.

In his remarks, Elmar Mammadov emphasized that in 1993, at a time when Azerbaijan was confronted with political instability, economic crisis, and the consequences of the occupation of 20 percent of its territories by Armenia — accompanied by a severe humanitarian situation involving hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees — Heydar Aliyev demonstrated exceptional statesmanship and strategic leadership by guiding the country from profound crisis toward political stability and long-term development.

The Ambassador further underlined that the signing of the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 represented a historic turning point in consolidating Azerbaijan’s independence and establishing the foundations for the country’s sustainable long-term economic development. Underscoring that the strategic course defined by National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being successfully advanced under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, he noted that major international initiatives such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Pipeline, the Southern Gas Corridor, and the Middle Corridor have made substantial contributions to strengthening regional connectivity, enhancing Europe’s energy security, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains.

The event also highlighted the significant contribution of Heydar Aliyev to the establishment and advancement of Azerbaijan–Bulgaria relations. Particular reference was made to the National Leader’s official visit to Bulgaria in June 1995, during which the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation was signed, creating the foundation for the institutional development of bilateral relations and long-term strategic engagement between the two countries. It was highlighted that this political framework was further deepened in subsequent years through joint declarations on strategic partnership signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, together with the Presidents of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev and Rumen Radev, which substantially expanded the scope and substance of bilateral cooperation.

Addressing the commemorative event, Ivan Palchev, the first Ambassador of Bulgaria to Azerbaijan, shared his reflections on the distinguished leadership qualities, strategic vision, and enduring contribution of Heydar Aliyev to the development of Azerbaijan–Bulgaria relations. He underscored that the policies pursued by Heydar Aliyev in support of regional stability, cooperation, and mutual trust continue to retain their relevance in the contemporary international environment. In this context, Ivan Palchev particularly emphasized that today’s world is in even greater need of visionary statesmen and national leaders such as Heydar Aliyev, whose political legacy and international achievements transcended national boundaries.

The event also featured remarks by Professor and geologist Georg Georgiev of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, a graduate of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University in the 1970s, who shared his personal recollections and longstanding ties with Azerbaijan. Recalling the hospitality and friendship extended by the Azerbaijani people during his years of study, Professor Georgiev noted that he has closely followed the country’s political and socio-economic development ever since. He highly commended the domestic and foreign policy pursued by Heydar Aliyev during the periods 1969–1982 and 1993–2003, particularly in relation to Azerbaijan’s modernization, the preservation of national and cultural values, the strengthening of state independence, and the country’s successful emergence from the profound political and economic challenges of the 1990s. He further emphasized Heydar Aliyev’s exceptional role in shaping the energy strategy of independent Azerbaijan and in attracting foreign investment to the country’s energy sector.

In his concluding remarks, Elmar Mammadov underscored that Heydar Aliyev attached special significance to Azerbaijan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, including its rich musical traditions, regarding cultural identity as one of the fundamental pillars of statehood and as a bridge fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding among peoples.

In this regard, the Ambassador underlined the particular symbolic significance of dedicating the inaugural event held in the Embassy’s newly established hall named after Shusha — the cultural capital of Azerbaijan — to the memory of Heydar Aliyev. He stressed that Heydar Aliyev consistently regarded Shusha not only as a historic Azerbaijani city founded by Panah Ali Khan, but also as a unique centre of national cultural and historical heritage. Recalling the National Leader’s well-known characterization of Shusha as “not merely a city, but a great historical monument,” as well as his statement that “without Shusha there is no Karabakh, and without Karabakh there is no Azerbaijan,” the Ambassador emphasized that the preservation and development of Shusha always occupied a special place in Heydar Aliyev’s state policy and national vision.

Highlighting the historic significance of the liberation of Shusha by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on 8 November 2020, Elmar Mammadov drew attention to the deliberate destruction of Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage during the years of occupation. He noted that, alongside restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Azerbaijan is currently implementing extensive reconstruction and redevelopment initiatives across the liberated regions of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including in the city of Shusha, while also reviving important cultural traditions such as the Kharibulbul Music Festival. The Ambassador also underlined that the draft peace agreement advanced on Azerbaijan’s initiative was initialed by the parties last year, constituting an important step toward the normalization of relations in the region.

Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding on twinning signed in 2022 between the cities of Shusha and Veliko Tarnovo, Elmar Mammadov highlighted that the planned establishment of the “Shusha Park” project in Veliko Tarnovo is expected to serve as a new symbol of the strategic partnership and expanding cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

As part of the commemorative programme, Bulgarian pianist Ana Lincheva presented a concert entitled “Musical Tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev.” The programme featured selected works by prominent Azerbaijani composers alongside distinguished examples of Azerbaijani folk music particularly admired by the National Leader, reflecting the richness of Azerbaijan’s musical and cultural heritage. The repertoire included “Alagöz” by Cahangir Cahangirov, the folk song “Küçələrə su səpmişəm,” “Qızıl üzük” by Tofiq Quliyev, “Baharlı yurdum” by Muslum Magomayev, “Qərənfil” by Vasif Adigozalov, “Qurban adına” by Said Rustamov, and “Həsrətindən” by Shafiqa Akhundova.

The commemorative event concluded with an official reception, during which guests were introduced to selected examples of Azerbaijan’s rich national culinary heritage.