The opening ceremony of the “OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025” was held in Baku with the partnership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the organization of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The ceremony featured the screening of a special video reflecting the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli highlighted the goals of the festival, which serves as a vital platform for dialogue, partnership, and innovation among creative professionals from across the Islamic world, fostering collaboration aimed at boosting cultural diplomacy and integrating creative industries globally. The minister noted that the event, which is expected to host more than 300 international participants from over 40 countries, as well as more than 5,000 visitors, will make a significant contribution to the expansion and development of relations among all participants operating in the creative industries, while also presenting visitors with a variety of creative and innovative solutions.

The OIC Assistant Secretary-General and the organization’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Tariq Ali Bakheet, expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his unwavering support in strengthening Islamic solidarity. He emphasized the festival's role as a venue for unity, dialogue, and cultural rapprochement among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to actively participate in such initiatives that serve to foster Islamic solidarity and promote shared cultural values. He lauded the steps taken by Azerbaijan in cultural diplomacy, as well as its contribution to cultural interaction on both regional and global scales.

Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Egypt's Minister of Culture, highlighted Azerbaijan's crucial role as a hub for cultural preservation, creativity, and cooperation within the Islamic world.

Other distinguished speakers, including Libya’s Minister of Culture and Cognitive Development Mabrouka Toghi; Palestinian Minister of Culture Abdullah Salim Hamdan; and Turkish Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Nadir Alpaslan, highly appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution to strengthening Islamic solidarity, portraying the festival as a platform to showcase the Islamic world's rich diversity, vibrant creativity, and progressive cultural policies, fostering unity, heritage appreciation, and interfaith dialogue.

The next part of the artistic program featured the performance of the Azerbaijani national dance “Yaylig,” performed by Ibrahim Babayev (tar), Parviz Mammadov (piano), and Vafadar Ramiz (percussion).

The final artistic presentation of the ceremony was the composition “Shusha” by Azerbaijani composer Kubra Karimli. The musical piece was performed by singer Aisel (Aysel Mammadova), accompanied by balaban player Fagan Alasgarli.

Following the performances, the organizers and official guests toured the exhibition stands.

The festival will run until December 11.