Ganja takes up role as CIS Cultural Capital 2017

Ganja, March 18, AZERTAC Azerbaijan's second largest city, Ganja, has hosted a ceremony as the city is assuming its new role as a Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 2017. Participants of the event included head of Ganja City Executive Authority Elmar Valiyev, a delegation led by chair of the Intergovernmental Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation of Member States of CIS, Russian President's special envoy for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvidkoy, Azerbaijani state and government officials, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin, as well as local and foreign guests. Participants of the event first laid flowers at a statue of the national leader at the Heydar Aliyev Center. Elmar Valiyev highlighted the history and culture of Ganja. “Ganja is today one of the cultural centers, which contributes to Azerbaijan`s rapid development.” He expressed his confidence that Ganja will successfully fulfill its mission as a Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States.