On May 8, the opening ceremony of a memorial hall dedicated to the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist-scientist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva was held at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Created through the joint initiative of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, the hall was designed as an exhibition space reflecting the rich lives and achievements of Heydar Aliyev and Zarifa Aliyeva. 

The opening ceremony featured speeches by Deputy Ministers of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Saadat Yusifova and Murad Huseynov, Director of the Museum Shirin Melikova, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Culture Committee Polad Bulbuloghlu, People’s Artist Omar Eldarov, and Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union Farhad Khalilov. In their speeches, they particularly emphasized the exceptional services of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in strengthening Azerbaijani statehood and promoting culture and the arts. It was noted that the scientific achievements and high moral values of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva occupy an important place in the spiritual memory of the Azerbaijani people. The speakers also stressed that presenting their rich legacy through contemporary exhibition methods plays a significant role in preserving national memory and visually conveying the roots of Azerbaijani statehood traditions to younger generations.

As part of the event, a concert program featuring works by Azerbaijani and world composers beloved by the National Leader was presented by Honored Artist and Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies Ilham Nazarov and People’s Artist, Professor Ulviyya Hajibayova.

The memorial hall dedicated to National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist-scientist, Academician Zarifa Aliyeva offers an artistic perspective on the lives and activities of these two great personalities through works by outstanding representatives of Azerbaijani fine arts. The exhibition features “Elegy” (1988–1989) and “Bust of Heydar Aliyev” (2012) by People’s Artist and prominent sculptor Omar Eldarov.

The hall also includes important artworks such as “Portrait of National Leader Heydar Aliyev” (1998) by People’s Artist Tahir Salahov and “Portrait of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva” (2000) by Oktay Sadigzadeh.

An important part of the exhibition consists of rare photographs and archival documents depicting the National Leader’s meetings with Azerbaijani cultural and artistic figures, as well as his participation in exhibitions and events at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Among these materials are his speech at the creative evening of prominent composer Arif Melikov (1995), his visits to exhibitions by People’s Artists Toghrul Narimanbayov and Maral Rahmanzadeh, and his meeting with world-renowned musicians Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya.

Through a monitor installed within the exhibition, museum visitors will also have the opportunity to view video materials and documentary footage highlighting various meetings between the National Leader and cultural figures.