France, Strasbourg, June 23 / Trend , A.Maharramli/
The charity action held in Strasbourg on June 22 will favor strengthening of the French-Azerbaijani relations, Azerbaijani Member of Parliament and Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Department Ganira Pashayeva believes.
"Organization of this event in Europe's political capital is too important. I think this event will be a successful step in further deepening of the relations between France and Azerbaijan," Pashayeva said.
The parliamentarian said that some cultural events on Azerbaijan took place in Strasbourg under the organizational support by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. As part of them, the Children's Choir of Azerbaijan and Children's Symphony Orchestra gave a concert in the Strasbourg Cathedral on the occasion of the Republic Day on May 28 in 2008. Thus, she said representatives of the Muslim country gave a concert in the Strasbourg Cathedral for the first time. Moreover, organizing concerts in the cathedral is only permitted in exceptional cases, Pashayeva said.
Speaking about activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Pashayeva noted that the foundation which launched its activity on May 10 in 2004 and is led by Azerbaijani First Lady, Good Will Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva implements large-scale projects in different fields to develop Azerbaijan. The Foundation's representations successfully operate in several countries, the parliamentarian said.
Pashayeva said the international community appreciated the conference on increasing women's role in intercultural and interconfessional dialogue which was held upon Mehriban Aliyeva's initiative in Baku. Today's ceremony is also a result of attention, paid to a dialogue amongst cultures and religious confessions, she believes.
Pashayeva also noted the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's assistance in restoring religious monuments in Azerbaijan. Thanks to the Foundation's financial support, the Baku Orthodox churches have undergone repair and restoration work, as well as assistance was rendered to construct Jewish children's educational and cultural center, Pashayeva said.
"The Foundation focuses on restoring not only Muslim religious and historical monuments, but also monuments of other religions and cultures. This is a clear indicator of a high level tolerance traditions of Azerbaijani people," the member of the parliament said.
As part of the charity action held in Strasbourg on June 22, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation presented its aid earmarked for repair of five medieval stained-glass window of the Strasbourg Cathedral.
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