Iran, Azerbaijan set to revive joint cultural weeks after wartime hiatus
Iran will press ahead with plans to revive joint cultural weeks with the Republic of Azerbaijan after wartime disruptions delayed bilateral programs, Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi said on Saturday in Ardabil, describing the two neighbors' shared civilizational heritage as the foundation for deeper cultural engagement.
Salehi said Tehran and Baku were moving to translate recent high-level agreements into practical cultural exchanges, pointing to a newly drafted cultural exchange program and media cooperation accords reached following the two presidents' meetings.
"Historical, civilizational and linguistic bonds between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan provide the roadmap for stronger relations between our governments and peoples," he said. "These capacities must be put to use through careful planning."
He said preparations to bring back the countries' joint cultural weeks were being pursued "seriously" after several initiatives were postponed because of the war, signaling a renewed push for cultural diplomacy between the neighboring states.
Salehi said the recently drafted framework for cultural exchanges and bilateral media agreements had opened "significant opportunities" to expand people-to-people contacts and deepen official cooperation.
Beyond the international agenda, the minister announced a three-year cooperation agreement with Ardabil Province covering cultural, artistic, media and religious affairs.
He described the accord as a practical blueprint for coordinating national cultural programs with the northwestern province, whose close linguistic and historical links with the Republic of Azerbaijan have long made it a gateway for cross-border cultural interaction.
Salehi also welcomed the launch of Ardabil's first Provincial Cinema Council, saying greater investment in creative content and cultural infrastructure would help strengthen the province's artistic landscape.
The minister is visiting Ardabil on July 24-25 to inaugurate cultural and arts centers and take part in events marking Ardabil Week, a program showcasing the province's historical heritage and cultural identity.