Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva

Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Good-Will Ambassador and Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Mehriban Aliyeva, is celebrating her birthday on Aug. 26.

Mehriban Aliyeva was born into a famous family in Azerbaijan. Her father, Arif Pashayev, is an academic at the National Academy of Sciences and holds a PhD in physics and mathematics, professor. He is the Rector of the National Academy of Aviation in Baku. Her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva, was an orientalist, PhD in philological sciences, professor, and director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences, and a specialist in Arabic literature.

Mehriban Aliyeva graduated from Secondary Public School No. 23 in Baku, in 1982, receiving a gold medal for the successful completion of her studies. A few months later she was admitted to the Nariman Narimanov Azerbaijan State Medical University, and later continued her studies at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, from where she graduated with an honorary diploma in 1988. Mehriban Aliyeva worked at the Moscow Scientific Research Institute for Eye Diseases in 1988-1992.

In the mid-1990s, Mrs.Aliyeva established the Friends of Azerbaijani Culture Foundation, which she currently heads and which publishes the "Azerbaijan-IRS" (Azerbaijan-Heritage) magazine in three languages, including Azerbaijani, English and Russian, to widely publicize Azerbaijani culture. Thanks to this publication, Azerbaijan was presented in the international arena not only as a country rich in oil and gas, but also a nation that has created a masterpiece in many areas - in music, architecture, fine and applied arts.

Mehriban Aliyeva heads the Heydar Aliyev Foundation since the very date of its establishment on May 10, 2004. The Foundation’s goal is to study the rich heritage of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, to grow up new generations in the spirit of his ideas of national statehood. The priority directions of the Foundation are education, health, culture and social sectors. It covers assistance to children devoid of parents, recreation and improving logistics base of orphanages and boarding schools.

"Our greatest achievement, the biggest success over these seven years was winning of the confidence and respect of the Azerbaijani people. Taking the advantage of this tribune, I would like again to assure everyone that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will further be ready to continue to work for the present and the future of Azerbaijan. I am deeply grateful to everyone, every organization - both public and non-governmental agencies supporting and assisting us along the way, and international organizations that established relations and cooperation with us," Mrs. Aliyeva said at a solemn ceremony at the Buta Palace to mark the 88th birthday anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and seventh anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The status of First Lady and working for the Foundation enable Mehriban khanum to regulate the work, expand the scale of projects and draw extra resources for their realization.

To popularize and promote Azerbaijani culture, Gabala has recently hosted numerous visitors from all over the world at the International Music Festival for the next time upon the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation pays special attention to the publication of music albums of prominent Azerbaijani singers. The Foundation reprinted the "Ekhlagi-Nasir" book of the world-renowned thinker, great scholar, who had an encyclopedic knowledge, Nasreddin Tusi, in the Latin alphabet, prepared a photo album "Azerbaijan" and a Russian version of the Gabusname publication that is popular in many Turkic countries, presented a multimedia collection "Azerbaijani Mugam" and the "The World of Mugam" publication. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation held premiere of Intizar opera under its International Music Project.

Museum of Modern Art was opened in Baku upon Mehriban Aliyeva's initiative.

The Foundation has also successfully implemented many projects outside Azerbaijan through its representations in other countries. Thus, "Dialogue of cultures in a globalizing world" Forum was held in Baku in June upon the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Vice President Leyla Aliyeva.

The Foundation participates in the restoration of universal cultural monuments. Thus, the Foundation restored two monuments included in the World Heritage List, damaged with time and by climatic conditions, in the park of Versailles Palace in Paris. The Foundation allotted financial aid to repair stained-glass windows of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Furthermore, many mosques, synagogues and churches were restored in Azerbaijan.

Paris hosted a ceremonial event marking the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan's restoring its independence and a presentation of the "Azerbaijan" book on Feb. 17, 2011 at the initiative of and with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Mehriban Aliyeva and France’s Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand attended the event.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijani embassy in France held celebrations in Paris on April 18-21 in accordance with the Azerbaijani President’s decree "On the twentieth anniversary of the restoration of state independence of Azerbaijan". An exhibition of carpet was held at the UNESCO residence on April 19. The exhibition demonstrated rare specimens of the Azerbaijani carpet art that become known in Europe from the 16th century, attracted the attention of art lovers and survived to the present day, including rare gems of the Karabakh carpet school. The UNESCO residence also hosted a concert of young talented performers.

The evening of Azerbaijan was held at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow on May 17 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence of Azerbaijan. The event was organized upon initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. First Ladies Mehriban Aliyeva, of Azerbaijan and Svetlana Medvedeva, of Russia attended the event. The event included presentation of the "Azerbaijan" book, which is one of the most successful projects of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Mehriban Aliyeva is committed to use all available opportunities to enhance the efficiency of humanitarian programs, which target benefiting the Azerbaijani people.

One of the priorities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is to draw the international community's attention to the realities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The projects in this direction include the publication of a collection of "Karabakh Realities" booklets, reflecting the history of the Armenian aggression, books entitled "War and Our Cultural and Historical Monuments" and "War Against Azerbaijan: Targeting Cultural Heritage", recounting Armenian destruction. Moreover, the Foundation has held events and photo and video exhibitions in various countries on the Khojali genocide.

In August 2004, Mehriban Aliyeva became a designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for promoting national literature and the musical heritage of Azerbaijan. Two years later, she was conferred with the title of ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Goodwill Ambassador for extensive and selfless activity in various fields, including inter-cultural dialogue, attention to children in need of special care and support for improving living conditions and education.

To be ambassador for such authoritative international organizations is a very honorable and responsible mission. Both UNESCO and ISESCO are non-political institutions, as is written in their charter. And at the same time, this is an international arena in which Mehriban Aliyeva represents her country.

This is an opportunity to introduce modern Azerbaijan and its people with the most profound historical and cultural roots, and to inform the world about the achievements of national art, music, and literature.

Mehriban Aliyeva's task as goodwill ambassador is to show the opportunities of the Islamic world through science, culture, and education and to demonstrate how the West and the East, two very different civilizations, could be interesting and helpful to each other.

In 2005, the First Lady was awarded the order of the "Ruby Cross" from the International Charitable Foundation "Maecenas of the Century" for her public support and charity activities, considerable contribution to the support of educational and cultural institutions and strengthening friendships between the peoples of Russia and Azerbaijan. The World Health Organization (WHO) awarded Mehriban Aliyeva "for the exceptional services in protecting and strengthening the health of mother, child and family". For her charitable activities and the outstanding achievements in services to the highest ideals of humanity, Mehriban Aliyeva was honored "Gold Heart" International award in 2007.

Mehriban Aliyeva's broad activity has not been limited with the above said. Mehriban Aliyeva was elected the President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation in 2002, demonstrating herself as an excellent organizer. Her authority has played a crucial role in making decisions on holding the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2003 and 2004 and the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in 2005 and European Championship in 2007 and 2009. The Azerbaijani national rhythmic gymnastics team has gained international recognition, and Azerbaijani gymnasts take the leading places at international events.

Mehriban Aliyeva received a PhD in Philosophy in 2005. In the same year, and in 2010, she was elected a member of Azerbaijani Parliament.

The Azerbaijani President signed an order on May 5, 2009 to award Mrs. Aliyeva the Heydar Aliyev Prize for the productive activities in the country’s socio-political and cultural life.

Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the Grand Commander`s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Polish Republic Sept. 14, 2009. Mehriban Aliyeva received this Order for her contribution to development of friendly ties between Azerbaijan and Poland.

Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded with Order of Legion of Honor by French President's order dated Feb.10, 2010.

Mrs. Aliyeva was awarded the Mozart Gold Medal by UNESCO on July 30, 2010, in recognition of commitment to the promotion of tangible and intangible heritage of humanity, a continuing effort to promote intercultural dialogue, a significant contribution to enhancing cultural diversity and dedication to the ideals and objectives of this organization.

Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the "Service to the Turkish world" prize of the Foundation of Turkish World Writers and Artists (TURKSAV) on June 2, 2011. Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded for the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's humanitarian programs for refugees and IDPs from the Armenia-occupied lands, as well as for her contribution to preserving and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijani Turks, who are the part of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world.

Mehriban Aliyeva has been awarded the Crans Montana Forum’s Gold Medal on June 24, 2011. The Medal is awarded by the Crans Montana Forum on exceptional occasions and by special decision in recognition of successful achievements in favor of a more Humane World. Rewarding of Mrs. Aliyeva with the Gold Medal Crans Montana Forum is another evidence to that her multilateral activities in the field of culture, science, education, health, social and other spheres, is in the focus on an international scale.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has initiated Azerbaijan’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan participated in the contest only four times, and the country’s representatives have always been among the leaders of the competition. In May, the young singers from Azerbaijan, Eldar and Nigar won "Eurovision-2011". President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to appoint Mrs Aliyeva Chairman of the Organizing Committee to hold Eurovision Song Contest in Baku in May in 2012.

Mrs. Aliyeva has two daughters, Leyla and Arzu, a son, Heydar, and two grandchildren, Mikayil and Ali.