In the framework of boosting cultural cooperation between Egypt and Azerbaijan, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture Dr. Ashraf Al-Azazi took part on behalf of the Ministry of Culture in a symposium held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) as part of the activities of the 2026 Baku International Book Fair.
During the Symposium, Al-Azazi said in his speech that the Baku International Book Fair is an exceptional cultural event and a vibrant venue for human dialogue and cultural exchange among intellectuals and creative individuals from around the world. He added that discussing the ties between Egypt and the city of Shusha is not limited to examining geographically distant connections, but it involves tracking the paths of intellectual, spiritual, and artistic convergence that have been woven over centuries between the heart of the Arab world and the Pearl of the Caucasus.
Al-Azazi further underscored the scientific exchanges over decades and centuries as students and scholars from Azerbaijan and the city of Shusha visited Egypt’s academic beacons, foremost among them Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. During these scientific visits, they contributed to transfer Arabic language studies, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic jurisprudence, and Islamic logic, which enabled them, upon their return, to spread knowledge, preserve the teaching of the Arabic language, and document manuscripts and Islamic studies.
Al-Azazi added that the recent translation movement between Arabic and Azerbaijani has contributed to introducing Egyptian readers to the literary icons of Shusha through the Cairo International Book Fair, and vice versa. He also said that it is time to revive historic cities as beacons of coexistence and innovation while fostering practical and sustainable cultural partnerships.
Al-Azazi also said that Shusha’s distinctive architectural heritage blends authentic Islamic architecture with local and Caucasian traditions, reflecting the city's rich cultural identity and historical legacy.
The secretary-general concluded his speech by saying that the Egyptian Ministry of Culture is keen to boost cooperation and expand joint programs in literature, publishing, translation, arts, and heritage between the cultural institutions of the two countries. He also said that the Baku International Book Fair is an essential platform for promoting this vision, in the belief that culture plays a vital role in building sustainable partnerships and fostering dialogue among civilizations.
During his recent visit to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, Dr. Ashraf El-Azazi visited several pavilions at the 2026 Baku International Book Fair. The fair was held at Baku Expo Center hosted the fair, which saw extensive with wide participation from cultural institutions and Arab and international publishing houses. Al-Azazi also visited several international and Arab exhibition booths and reviewed the latest literary and intellectual publications.
The secretary-general also held a series of bilateral meetings with officials from Azerbaijan’s cultural sector and publishing industry, as well as representatives of participating institutions. During the meetings, they explored avenues of cultural cooperation and mutual translation projects between Arabic and Azerbaijani, enabling Egyptian and Azerbaijani audiences to deepen their knowledge of one another’s literary and intellectual legacy.
Al-Azazi added that the Supreme Council of Culture places immense importance on promoting knowledge exchange, encouraging joint publishing initiatives, and creating opportunities for writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures to participate in cultural events and conferences.
🖋️Source: The Official Page of the Ministry of Culture
