Honoring past, building future: Azerbaijani First VP’s impactful visit to Ganja

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, accompanied by her daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva, paid a visit to the city of Ganja, where she participated in several significant events and reviewed ongoing development projects. The trip underscored the importance of education, commemoration, and urban reconstruction in Azerbaijan's continued progress.

The visit began with a heartfelt tribute at the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev, where Mehriban Aliyeva and her daughters laid flowers in honor of his monumental legacy, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The ceremony was followed by a photo session with local residents, symbolizing the strong connection between the country's leadership and its people.

In the afternoon, Mehriban Aliyeva focused her attention on educational development, a priority of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. She visited secondary school No. 37 in Ganja, which is currently undergoing significant renovations funded by the Foundation. The school, originally built in 1969, was in dire need of repairs, and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation launched a comprehensive renovation project in September 2024.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Anar Alakbarov, along with the Head of Ganja City Executive Authority, Niyazi Bayramov, briefed the First Vice-President on the progress. The school’s reconstruction is expected to be completed by September 2025, in time for the new academic year. This initiative is part of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's broader commitment to improving educational infrastructure across the country.

Further highlighting the Foundation's focus on early education, Mehriban Aliyeva, accompanied by her daughter Arzu Aliyeva, visited nursery-kindergarten No. 40 in Ganja. The facility, built in 1967, currently accommodates 70 children, though it has the capacity for 120. Due to the deteriorating condition of the building, the First Vice-President gave instructions to ensure high-quality education and childcare at the institution. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been a leader in the development of preschool education, having implemented the "Development of Preschool Education Institutions" program since 2014.

In addition to her focus on education, Mehriban Aliyeva also reviewed the plans for the Ganja Memorial Complex, which is under construction to honor the memory of civilians who perished in the 2020 Armenian rocket attacks on the city. The memorial, covering 4 hectares, will include a museum and a multifunctional event space. The design of the complex symbolizes resilience and remembrance, with a spiral-shaped wall symbolizing the impact of the rocket strikes. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2025.

To recall, during the Patriotic War, the city of Ganja was subjected to multiple missile strikes by Armenia on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17, using various missile systems, including "Tochka-U," "Smerch," "SCUD," and others. These attacks resulted in 26 civilian deaths and the injury of 142 peaceful residents.

At the Perinatal Center of Ganja City United Hospital, Mehriban Aliyeva was briefed by the hospital’s director, Ilkin Ismayilov, about the services provided to expectant mothers and newborns in Ganja and its surrounding regions.

The Perinatal Center is a crucial healthcare facility, offering high-quality diagnostic, consultation, and treatment services. During her visit, Mehriban Aliyeva donated incubators and an ultrasound machine to the center, further reinforcing the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's continued focus on enhancing healthcare in Azerbaijan. Additionally, gifts were given to new mothers as a gesture of care and support.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has long prioritized healthcare, with initiatives such as “Highest Care for Children with Diabetes,” “For a Life Without Thalassemia,” and “Reconstruction and Construction of Medical Establishments” to ensure better medical care for citizens across Azerbaijan.

After her visit to the healthcare center, Mehriban Aliyeva and her daughters visited two significant religious sites in Ganja: the Shah Abbas Mosque and the Huseyniyye Mosque. The Shah Abbas Mosque, constructed in 1606, is one of Ganja's architectural jewels, reflecting the rich traditions of Azerbaijani medieval architecture.

Mehriban Aliyeva was briefed by Imam Isgandar Mammadov about the mosque’s history and its recent restoration efforts, carried out under the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev in 2008. During her visit, she received updates on further restoration works, which are set to preserve this important historical site for future generations.

Following this, the family visited the Huseyniyye Mosque, originally built in the 19th century and now requiring restoration. The First Vice-President instructed the necessary repairs and preservation measures to ensure that the mosque, an important part of Ganja’s heritage, is properly maintained.

Azerbaijan has long been known for its harmonious coexistence of various religious and ethnic communities. To further this spirit of unity, Mehriban Aliyeva and her daughters also visited the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church, a historic site built in 1887 in Byzantine style. The church, which has undergone several restorations over the years, continues to serve as an important place of worship and historical monument.

During the visit, the head priest, Varfolomey Denis Sotnikov, provided a detailed history of the church, emphasizing the collaboration between local Orthodox Christians and Muslims in its construction. Further repairs will be undertaken to maintain the church’s structure, ensuring its continued role as a symbol of interfaith cooperation.

Azerbaijan is committed to preserving its diverse religious and cultural heritage. Under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been instrumental in restoring mosques, churches, and synagogues across the country, including in the newly liberated territories.