On August 31, the Baku Book Center hosted an event for representatives of Azerbaijan’s creative and intellectual circles, including popular writers, poets, musicians, scientists, and artists. Guests were introduced to the activities of the Baku Book Center, as well as the various projects and events organized by the Center. In her welcome address, Gunel Rzaeva, Executive Director of the Baku Book Center, expressed deep gratitude to First Vice President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for her support in establishing the Center. She emphasized her hope that the Baku Book Center will play a key role in educating younger generations and fostering a love of reading among people of all ages. Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, spoke about the Foundation’s cultural initiatives and its long-term efforts to encourage young people to engage with education and literature. He highlighted the significant role of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva in the creation of the Baku Book Center. “For a long time, we wished to create a high-profile book center in Baku that would unite different publishers. I believe we have achieved this goal,” he said, adding that the Center will be of interest to everyone. Alakbarov also emphasized that the Baku Book Center is accessible to all, including people with physical disabilities. The Center features a reading hall on the second floor, an area for visually impaired visitors, dedicated zones for literary and cultural events, a children’s area, and an educational area for researchers and scientists.

“A Window into the World”

Addressing the audience, Anar, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan and national writer, praised the establishment of the Baku Book Center and stressed the importance of books in human life. Comparing the Center to a window opening into the world, he said, “I would like to spend my whole life here because I have found all the books I have never read.”

“Reading People Will Always Live”

Chingiz Abdullayev, Secretary of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan and national writer, also praised the creation of such a center. “Our future, policies, economy, army, and even the Karabakh issue all start with the book. Without books, there is nothing. The reading people will always live,” he said, emphasizing that the development of modern Azerbaijan is rooted in education. Participants of the event then watched a video presentation about the Baku Book Center.

About the Baku Book Center

Created under the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Baku Book Center aims to increase public interest in reading. It offers bestsellers in Azerbaijani and other languages, art albums, tourist guides, music books, and sheet music. The Center also features publications by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The Baku Book Center hosts a variety of events to encourage reading, including presentations, book signings, meetings with famous writers, poets, and musicians, masterclasses, reading days, and language courses.

A Place to Relax and Explore

The Center also provides spaces for visitors to spend their free time comfortably. Coffeemood Café, located on the first floor, offers a scenic dining area where guests can browse books and magazines. Interactive touchscreens provide information about books and new arrivals. Additionally, the Center houses the “I Love Baku” souvenir store and stamps shop. The Baku Book Center's website is available in three languages and includes an online bookstore, while new arrivals and events are regularly updated on Facebook and Instagram.