Every year the Heydar Aliyev Foundation organizes at Gulistan Palace New Year celebrations for distinguished pupils of middle schools, orphans brought up in children’s homes and boarding schools, children deprived of parental care, as well as those from refugee and IDP families.

Hundreds of children gathered at the Palace on January 3.

In the beginning of the event, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation red out a congratulation message by President of the Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, MP, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva:

The message reads:

“Dear children!

Two days ago we marked the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Our great leader Heydar Aliyev used to love children so much, and considered attention and taking care of them as necessary. Devoted to this tradition, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has organized a wonderful festivity for you. Like last year, this year we also would like all of you to feel the great joy of these holidays. Among 3 thousand participants of the celebration are children being brought up in children’s homes and boarding schools of our Republic, those from refugee and IDP families as well as its best pupils.

Dear kids, this wonderful day, I extend my heartfelt greetings, hugs and congratulations to all of you. I wish all of you that the year 2006 remain in your memory as full of joyful events.

We are making efforts for you always to feel attention and care. In response, you should try to be worthy children of your Motherland. Make us happy with your accomplishments in education and good deeds.”

Later, a documentary film about meetings of founder of independent Azerbaijan, great leader Heydar Aliyev with children was demonstrated. The national leader Heydar Aliyev’s “your future task is to safeguard Azerbaijan, continue created traditions and enhance the glory of the Motherland” addressed to little residents of the country, was heard as a call for tomorrow’s builders of our state to grow into its worthy citizens.

The event then was continued by performances by actors playing the brave heroes of fairy tales, by clowns and jugglers as well as dancers who the children themselves joined later. They left the celebration with gifts and unforgettable impressions of the event.