Lachin, November 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: The closing ceremony of the “CIS Capital of Culture – 2025” was held in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, marking the conclusion of a year rich in cultural exchange and regional cooperation. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin district.
In his opening remarks, Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin district, underscored the significance of the occasion for the city. He described 2025 as a transformative year for Lachin, defined by vibrant cultural activities and enhanced international engagement.
Mammadov noted that close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund had laid a solid foundation for future cultural and public partnership projects, reinforcing Lachin’s role as an emerging cultural hub.
Addressing the ceremony, Polad Bulbuloglu, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliament’s Culture Committee, highlighted the value of selecting non-capital cities with deep cultural and historical roots as CIS cultural capitals. He emphasized that Lachin’s nomination was initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, expressing gratitude to the head of state on behalf of the committee.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Farid Jafarov, stated that the designation of Lachin as the CIS Cultural Capital of 2025 stands as clear evidence of the restoration and revitalization of cultural life in the country’s liberated territories. Jafarov noted that more than 15 multi-dimensional cultural events had been held in Lachin over the year, significantly contributing to the city’s cultural resurgence and establishing it as a dynamic platform for regional cooperation.
The ceremony concluded with an artistic program, celebrating the cultural achievements and renewed vibrancy of Lachin throughout the year.
