The Great Return – Shusha
2022
The Great Return – Shusha
In honor of Victory Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, CAN and the GPM (Center for Young Political Scientists) hosted The Great Return – Shusha, a cultural gala held in the heart of Oslo at Hotel Continental. This event marked a meaningful milestone in a broader initiative to share the rich cultural and historical heritage of Karabakh—particularly Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan.
The evening opened with a warm welcome to distinguished guests by the Chairwoman of CAN, Ms. Shervin Najafpour and Chairman of GPM, Mr. Ilkin Aliyev, followed by inspiring speeches from H.E. Mr. Fazlı Çorman, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Norway; Mr. Javanshir Mammadov, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mr. Mubariz Gadirov from the Youth Foundation of Azerbaijan; and Neha Ikram. Each speaker reflected on the power of cultural memory, the importance of identity, and the role of art in uniting communities across borders and generations.
The event continued with a moving classical piano performance by internationally awarded pianist Ayan Mammadli. Her performance offered a poetic tribute to the spirit of Shusha and the resilience of Azerbaijani culture through music.
Guests concluded the evening with a reception, where they shared warm conversations, traditional hospitality, and a collective appreciation for the values of heritage, return, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Project in collaboration with and supported by:
Opening Speech by Chairwoman of CAN, Shervin Najafpour
& Chairman of GPM, Ilkin Aliyev
Opening Speech by CAN Chairwoman, Shervin Najafpour
& GPM Chairman, Ilkin Aliyev
The event began with a moment of silence in honor of those who have shaped Azerbaijan’s history and cultural legacy. Ms. Shervin Najafpour, Chairwoman of CAN, and Mr. Ilkin Aliyev, Chairman of GPM welcomed the guests and introduced the inspiration behind the project. She emphasized the cultural importance of launching “The Great Return – Shusha” on the Victory Day, a symbolic moment for Azerbaijanis around the world. Ms. Najafpour also highlighted CAN’s ongoing efforts to promote cross-cultural dialogue and deepen the understanding between Azerbaijan and Norway through shared heritage and artistic expression.
Organized in collaboration with the Youth Foundation of Azerbaijan and supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Sweden, The Great Return – Shusha is part of a cultural initiative aimed at deepening understanding between Azerbaijan and Norway through art, history, and storytelling. The project also commemorates the 270th anniversary of Shusha—founded in 1752 by Panahali Khan—which was officially designated the “Year of Shusha” by President Ilham Aliyev in 2022, underscoring its national and cultural significance.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Ambassador Fazlı Çorman
Delivers Opening Remarks
Ambassador Fazlı Çorman Delivers Opening Remarks
Following the welcome, H.E. Mr. Fazlı Çorman, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Norway, delivered heartfelt remarks emphasizing the power of culture in rebuilding identity and fostering unity. He spoke about the enduring ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, and highlighted how music, education, and cultural exchange can preserve memory, heal communities, and strengthen regional understanding.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye
Mr. Atabəy Nəcəfpur
Counsellor Javanshir Mammadov
Highlights Cultural Legacy of Shusha
Counsellor Javanshir Mammadov Highlights Cultural Legacy of Shusha
Mr. Javanshir Mammadov, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Sweden, offered a thoughtful reflection on the cultural significance of Shusha and its role in the national consciousness of Azerbaijan. He emphasized the importance of initiatives like The Great Return – Shusha in preserving historical memory, fostering international understanding, and sharing Azerbaijan’s rich heritage with global audiences.
On behalf of H.E. Mr. Zaur Ahmadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, Mr. Mammadov also conveyed a heartfelt message, underscoring the symbolic power of culture in building bridges across nations and generations. His remarks highlighted how art and dialogue allow culture to transcend borders, becoming a living connection between the past and the future.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Mr. Mubariz Gadirov Shares Youth Perspective
on Cultural Heritage
Mr. Mubariz Gadirov Shares Youth Perspective on Cultural Heritage
Representing the Youth Foundation of Azerbaijan, Mr. Mubariz Gadirov spoke about the essential role of young people in preserving and promoting national heritage. He highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to empowering youth as ambassadors of culture and identity, both at home and abroad. Emphasizing the importance of projects like The Great Return – Shusha, Mr. Gadirov encouraged continued engagement, creativity, and dialogue to ensure that the legacy of Karabakh and Shusha lives on through future generations.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye
Ayan Mammadli
From the Heart of Shusha to the Spirit of Grieg
From the Heart of Shusha to the Spirit of Grieg
The evening reached an emotional high point with a stunning piano performance by Ayan Mammadli, laureate of international competitions and a student at the Anton Bruckner Conservatory in Austria. Her repertoire featured beloved Azerbaijani classical pieces, paying tribute to the spirit of Shusha and the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.
In a heartfelt gesture of cultural bridge-building, Ayan also performed “Morning Mood” from Peer Gynt by the renowned Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. This universally recognized piece, evoking themes of nature and renewal, created a beautiful musical bridge between Azerbaijan and Norway.
Her performance resonated deeply with the audience, uniting them through a shared appreciation of music’s ability to express memory, identity, and hope across cultures.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Mr. Talgat Zhumagulov & spouse together with Azerbaijani pianist Ayan Mammadli
Böyük Qayıdış – Şuşa
Böyük Qayıdış – Şuşa
Zəfər Günü münasibəti ilə Osloda rəsmi qəbul keçirilib. Norveçdə fəaliyyət göstərən “CAN” diaspor təşkilatı tərəfindən həyata keçirilən bu layihə Qarabağ regionunda baş verən hadisələrin tanıdılması ilə yanaşı, xalqımızın mədəniyyəti haqqında məlumatlandırma və yerli ictimaiyyətin onunla daha yaxından tanış edilməsi üçün işlərin aparılmasını nəzərdə tutur.
Oslo mərkəzində baş tutan layihənin açılış mərasimində burada akkreditə olunmuş diplomatik korpusun əməkdaşları, yerli siyasətçilər və müxtəlif siyasi partiya habelə, akademik və ictimai dairələrin nümayəndələri iştirak ediblər.
Layihə Azərbaycan Respublikasının İsveç Krallığındakı səfirliyinin dəstəyi ilə Gənclər Fondu tərəfindən maliyyələşdirilib.
Photo and video credit: © Ali Kazmi
Layihə tərəfdaşlarla əməkdaşlıq və onların dəstəyi çərçivəsində həyata keçirilmişdir:
CAN 