Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On May 2, a presentation ceremony was held for the “Milli Dadlar” (“National Flavors”) project and the online platform with the same name, prepared through the initiative of the State Tourism Agency (STA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in cooperation with the Azerbaijan National Culinary Center under the STA and the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

The event was attended by the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Fuad Naghiyev, staff members of the Presidium administration of ANAS, its scientific institutions and organizations, representatives of the State Tourism Agency, and members of the media.

Before the event started, the participants laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev situated in the Presidium building of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Opening the ceremony with an introductory speech, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that the national cuisine of Azerbaijan is an integral part of our national culture with rich historical roots, reflecting the daily life, customs, traditions, worldview, and lifestyle of our people. He highlighted the special importance of preserving, systematically studying this rich cultural heritage, promoting it worldwide, and passing it on to future generations.

He mentioned that in recent years, there has been joint cooperation between the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan on archaeological excavations, and today’s event will contribute to the expansion of joint scientific and practical activities in the field of culinary.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli underlined that the study of Azerbaijan’s rich culinary culture has already begun at the Institute of History and Ethnology and the Institute of Folklore of the Academy. He pointed out that new departments will be established within these institutions on this matter using internal resources and our culinary heritage will be comprehensively studied from historical, folkloric, and ethnographic point of view and the results of these studies will be promoted by the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan at both national and international levels. The head of ANAS mentioned that, in order to carry out the work in this direction, it is planned to organize conferences and presentation ceremonies, as well as to prepare relevant publications, through the joint organization of the structures.

The President of ANAS also underlined that other nations attempt to appropriate elements of our national culinary culture and present them as their own. He emphasized that through scientific research and promotional efforts, Azerbaijan’s culinary and cultural heritage will be protected on an international scale.

“Our joint activity and the presentation of the “National Flavors” platform is an important step in the implementation of President Ilham Aliyev’s consistent policy aimed at developing the tourism sector in our country, as well as promoting and studying Azerbaijanism, and our national spiritual values. This reflects the contribution of our scientists and the State Tourism Agency to that policy.”-he added.  

Then, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev emphasized that the primary goal of the project is to preserve, promote, and pass on examples of national culinary to future generations.

 “One of the main areas of activity of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the promotion of our national culinary and the recognition of our traditional cuisine. As you know, this issue remains under constant attention of the country’s leadership. I would like to express my gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for their support in this regard. Over the years, we have implemented various projects in this field, many of which are still ongoing. One of them is the “National Flavors” project, which has been jointly developed over a long period by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the National Culinary Center. The goal of this project, and the online platform “National Flavors”, is to preserve the national culinary belonging to our people, to revive forgotten ancient dishes, and to pass it on to future generations.”-he said

Fuad Naghiyev emphasized that ensuring a scientific approach and accuracy were key priorities in the project’s implementation. As a result, close collaboration with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was carried out. The composition, cooking techniques, history, and cultural significance of the national dishes were scientifically substantiated based on ANAS’s data and recommendations, establishing a reliable and sustainable scientific foundation.  

Following his speech, the Head of the Gastronomy Department of the State Tourism Agency, Sakina Asgarova, presented the “National Flavors” online platform.

The Deputy Director of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, PhD in Philology Afag Ramazanova, Head of Department at the Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor Ilhama Mammadova and Senior Researcher at the same institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences Solmaz Maharramova, also delivered speeches at the event. They spoke about the significance of studying Azerbaijan’s national cuisine and emphasized the importance of the newly presented “National Flavors” online platform.  

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

© All rights reserved. When using news, it is necessary to refer to www.science.gov.az.