Promoting the Development of a National Culture in Azerbaijan

 Encouraging Goodwill and Prosperity of the Country

By Dr. Fuad Mammedov, President, “SIMURG” Association of Culture of Azerbaijan  

"SIMURG” Association of Culture of Azerbaijan, the first non-governmental organization of Azerbaijan , was created in April 1990 the perspective that civil society assists to the construction in the country of a democratic society and a lawful state. The activities of the Association, in partnership with numerous academies, ministries, and organizations, have been recognized both nationally and internationally.  “SIMURG” is currently preparing to convene the Fourth Congress, planned in October 2006, culminating 15 years of its creative effort.

The mission of the Association is to promote democratization and modernization of a national culture, achievement of stable social development, development of peace culture and international cooperation, and integration of the country to the civilized world community.  

“Simurg” is an ancient symbol of kindness and revival to a new life in Azerbaijani mythology. The symbol of Simurg is closely connected with an ancient Eurasian myth about an eagle like bird, which was the first to bring to the earth the sprout of the “tree of life” from the sky or from the holy mountain. Simurg is one of the semantic synonyms of the eight-pointed star, an ancient symbol of gods’ good will and the prosperity of the country, accepted both in the East and in the West as the universal symbol of new, eternal life.  

The basis for the philosophy and activities of the Association is the concept of culture as that of a creative life and activity of the person. The Association brings together, on a voluntary basis, more than 600 individuals and more than 40 collective members, most of which are non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Among the members of the Association are many academicians and professors with international recognition, specialists, women and talented youth.  

“SIMURG” has established several important projects, including projects on working to overcome poverty, formation of a new social-cultural policy, preparation of sisters of mercy and businessmen, culturological education of the population, exploration and spreading of the world experience of state development, development of Azerbaijan peace culture, democracy and civil society, and others. Since the beginning of 1990s, more than ten thousand citizens, including scientists, specialists, leaders and members of NGOs, and people from all levels of the Azerbaijani society have gained new knowledge through more than 230 conferences, seminars and trainings under the common name of “culture and society.”  

With the aim of assisting the development of the social-culture policy, culture of democratic management, democratization and modernization of the Azerbaijani society, a number of concepts and practical suggestions were developed by the Association for the government. In this effort, many works in history and theory of paternal and world culture, which disclose the essence, advantages and opportunities of democratic culture, were published, numerous specialists in the “School of Management and Business” and the “School of Sisters of Mercy” were prepared through special courses on culturology.  

The Association has published eight books and collections, many scientific and scientific-educational articles, devoted to historical problems, and the theory of world culture, stable human development, social-culture policy, management, culture, peace culture, international affairs and others. Publications of the Association serve as textbooks for students and senior pupils, leaders and members of NGOs, municipals and trade unions of the republic, and a wide audience of citizens of the republic. Culturology, Culturology as a Way to Effective Life Activity, Assistance to Formation of a New Cultural Policy in Azerbaijan , What Does the Peace Culture Mean? are just a few among the many published monographs, books, textbooks, and collections.                                                              

Purposeful social activity sponsored by the Association promotes development in the republic high spiritual culture as a priority, first of intellectual, ethic, administrative and lawful culture, democratization and modernization of national culture, confirmation of peace culture and cooperation, and dialogue of cultures of the West and the East. This helps to disseminate scientific knowledge about history, theory and practice of world culture and civilization, formation of democratic thinking and lifestyle of people. It also shows, based on the experience of democratic countries, the historical advantages of democracy as a social-political system.

In 1996, to support the formation process of NGOs as an important institute of democracy, the Association held the first consultative process and seminar in the republic which formed the base for the formation of the third sector in Azerbaijan. Over the following years, the Association provided scientific consultative and organizational assistance in the creation of the National Form of NGOs in the republic. Trainings on fundraising were provided for NGOs of Azerbaijan. The Association also created the Society of Culturologists and the International Forum of Civil Society Culture, intended for the coordination of the NGOs’ efforts, state and business structures, and to achieve stable development, peace and safety in the South Caucasus.

The Association aims to develop international cultural connections. Many internationally known scientists, specialists, diplomats and other public figures are international honorable members of the Association. Also, in order to assist to promote creative activity, high spiritual culture development, and social progress of world civilization, and to acknowledge the activity of known scientists and public figures aimed at spreading peace culture, democracy and civil society, the Association founded the “SIMURG” Honorable medal in 2004. The first “SIMURG” medals were awarded to Dr. Chung Hwan Kwak, Chairman of WANGO, Mr. Taj Hamad, Secretary General of WANGO, and Mr. Maksud Aliyev, an academician and the first Vice President of “SIMURG”.