POLITICS
Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attends inauguration of monument to Prince Vladimir in Astrakhan VIDEO
Baku, December 20 (AZERTAC). Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva has today attended a ceremony here to unveil a monument to Prince Vladimir.
The representatives of the Azerbaijani delegation and Astrakhan oblast first laid flowers at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev.
The event was attended by the officials of the Azerbaijan and Administration of Astrakhan oblast, as well as members of the Parliament, representatives of the Astrakhan’s Azerbaijani community and local residents.
Governor of the Astrakhan oblast Alexander Zhilkin noted the monument to Prince Vladimir was erected on the initiative of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
He noted that this project was not the first one implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Astrakhan.
Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva addressed the event.
Mrs Leyla Aliyeva thanked the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill for awarding her the 3rd class Order of Princess Olga.
"It is great honor and pleasure for me. Today, the inauguration of the monument to Prince Vladimir has a special meaning for us. The representatives of different peoples as well as religions have always lived in peace, friendship and harmony in Azerbaijan for many years. The tolerance in Azerbaijan is not an aim, but a lifestyle. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation attaches a special attention to this issue in its activities,” Mrs Leyla Aliyeva noted.
Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva said Azerbaijan and the Astrakhan region maintain close relations.
“A number of joint projects were implemented in Astrakhan. A regional department of the Azerbaijani Youth Association in Russia operates in Astrakhan. The Astrakhan branch of the association is one of the most active bodies of the AMOR," Mrs Leyla Aliyeva said.
The event continued with the consecration of the monument.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the monument was held on September 12, 2012 with participation of an Azerbaijani delegation led by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.
A bronze 4-meter high monument was made stands on a granite pedestal. The monument was mounted on the initiative of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The author of the architectural composition is People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, honorary member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts Natig Aliyev. Authors of the monument are Astrakhan Architect Alexander Fedorchenko and Sculptor from Moscow, People's Artist of Russia Andrei Kovalchuk.
The monument was dedicated to the 1025th anniversary of adoption the Christianity in Russia and the 455th anniversary of Astrakhan.