UNESCO hosts exhibition marking 900th anniversary of Azerbaijani architect
Paris show highlights medieval master Ajami Nakhchivani's legacy as anniversary enters UNESCO's 2024–25 commemorations
PARIS (MNTV) — UNESCO headquarters in Paris has opened an exhibition marking the 900th anniversary of the birth of Ajami Nakhchivani, a towering figure of medieval Azerbaijani architecture, as part of the organization’s 2024–2025 anniversary program.
The exhibition was organized with support from Azerbaijan’s National Commission for UNESCO and jointly mounted by the country’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO, the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO.
Speakers at the opening ceremony included Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev, UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation President Aktoty Raimkulova, National Commission for UNESCO representative Nigar Rahimli, and Honored Architect of Azerbaijan Rasim Babakishiyev.
Officials noted that Nakhchivani’s anniversary has been included in UNESCO’s List of Anniversaries for 2024–2025, describing the recognition as a further step in promoting Azerbaijani cultural heritage on the global stage.
Ajami Nakhchivani is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Azerbaijani cultural history and the founder of the Nakhchivan architectural school. Celebrated for blending mathematical precision with artistic imagination, he is best known for 12th-century masterpieces such as the Momina Khatun Mausoleum and the Yusif ibn Kuseyr Mausoleum.
Speakers also highlighted Nakhchivani’s influence beyond architecture, noting that his image has appeared in the visual arts. During an international symposium on Oriental carpet art in Baku in 1983, a carpet portraying the architect by renowned master Latif Karimov was donated to UNESCO.
Alongside paintings dedicated to Nakhchivani’s life and work, the event featured the presentation of a book published with support from the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan. Guests were also introduced to Azerbaijani national cuisine.
The exhibition at UNESCO headquarters will run through Dec. 19.
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