Princess Lalla Hasnaa fosters cultural ties between Morocco and Azerbaijan

Friday 09 May 2025 - 09:20

Morocco’s Princess Lalla Hasnaa, President of the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, hosted a special tea ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she gathered influential women from the cultural and artistic spheres. This event, held on Thursday, highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening ties between nations.

The tea ceremony was attended by some of Azerbaijan’s most esteemed figures, including Chafing Mammadova, a prominent theater and film actress, and Fidan Hadjieva, a celebrated opera singer and mezzo-soprano. Their presence underscored the event’s significance in fostering a collaborative spirit among women leaders in the arts.

Also present were Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and Shirin Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Fine Arts. Both women play vital roles in preserving and promoting Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage. The event was further supported by Nouzha Alaoui, Secretary-General of the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, and Aïcha El Boukhari, wife of the Moroccan Ambassador to Baku.

This gathering not only celebrated the artistic contributions of women but also reflected a shared commitment to cultural preservation and leadership in the arts across Morocco and Azerbaijan.

In a gesture reaffirming Morocco’s dedication to cultural diplomacy, Princess Lalla Hasnaa met with Azerbaijan’s First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva, earlier in the week at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headquarters. Their meeting emphasized the importance of ongoing cultural collaborations between the two nations.

On Sunday, the Princess attended the Azerbaijan International Carpet Festival, where she was honored as a guest by notable cultural and civic leaders. Her visit to a secondary school in Baku further exemplified Morocco's commitment to educational partnerships linking Rabat and Azerbaijan's capital, fostering deeper connections through shared cultural experiences.

These events collectively illustrate Morocco’s belief in the transformative power of culture to build enduring relationships. By bringing together leading Azerbaijani women from the arts and heritage sectors, Princess Lalla Hasnaa has reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, emphasizing that culture serves as a bridge between peoples, transcending the realms of politics and economics.