Rabat-Baku educational twinning, a bridge for promoting intercultural dialogue & heritage preservation

Princess Lalla Hasnaa,President of the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Rabat,who is currently paying a visit to Azerbaijan,visited the “Educational Complex 132–134” secondary school in Baku on Wednesday,as part of the educational twinning project between schools in Rabat and the Azerbaijani capital.

In an address during the visit,Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev expressed his honor at welcoming the Moroccan Princess to this prestigious educational institution,which has produced renowned public figures,scientists,and prominent cultural personalities.

This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the school’s history,under the sign of cultural exchange,shared values,and educational collaboration,he said,noting that the twinning program,implemented in partnership with the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Rabat,reflects a shared commitment to global citizenship and mutual understanding through education.

He further stated that the twinning program would allow young people to discover,preserve,and celebrate cultural heritage as a key component of their identity and a bridge between the two cities.

For her part,Educational Complex 132–134 Director Aygun Milkayilova emphasized that this twinning project would make a significant contribution to turning cultural heritage into a shared value,while fostering intercultural dialogue. She underlined the importance of this collaboration in laying the groundwork for deeper mutual understanding and lasting cooperation among younger generations.

This twinning project is part of the “I discover my heritage” program,recognized by UNESCO as a reference in the field of heritage education,and aims to strengthen the spirit of exchange,understanding and cultural dialogue between young people.

Princess Lalla Hasnaa then visited the school’s history Museum,and attended musical performances by the young Atila Garib,who sang the song “Azerbaijan”,and student Abid Chalabiyrv,who paid tribute to Rabat’s musical heritage by performing “Chams El Achiya” on the Kamancha,a traditional Azerbaijani musical instrument. She also followed an Azerbaijani folk dance “Cengi”.

She later on visited a 7th grade class where she followed a presentation on the Azerbaijani education system and the inclusion of arts and cultural education in the pedagogical system.

The presentation highlighted the linguistic and cultural bridges with Rabat,as exemplified by the word “müəllim” (teacher),as well as the richness of shared links and the importance of intercultural dialogue in education.

Princess Lalla Hasnaa visited a second classroom where she attended “I discover my heritage” workshops,an accommodation of the educational program of the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat to the cultural context of the city of Baku.

She then visited an exhibition by the school’s students on the most emblematic monuments of the cities of Rabat and Baku.

These works,combining artistic expression and heritage awareness,reflect the richness of intercultural dialogue and the attachment of young generations to their authentic cultural heritage.

This Thursday,Princess Lalla Hasnaa hosted a tea ceremony in Baku in honor of Azerbaijani women personalities from the realms of culture and arts.