In 2023, the 100th anniversary of the National Library of Azerbaijan was completed. According to the Decree “On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Library of Azerbaijan” signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, on June 24, 2023, the International Scientific-Practical Conference on “National libraries are the protector of the spiritual memory of peoples”, The 6th meeting of the Board of Directors of National Libraries of ECO member countries, as well as various presentations and round tables were held on September 20-22. The events were held with the participation of directors and employees of CENL member countries Turkiye, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Italy, Macedonia and other largest state, national and university libraries, as well as large and leading library managers and employees of the republic.
On September 20, the grave of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and the Alley of Martyrs were visited in the Alley of Honor and then the International Scientific and Practical Conference began its work in the National Library of Azerbaijan.
Director of the National Library of Azerbaijan, professor Karim Tahirov, announced the plenary session of the International Scientific-Practical Conference entitled “National libraries are the protector of the spiritual memory of peoples”. The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Adil Karimli, who gave an introductory speech, first greeted the guests on behalf of the employees of the Ministry of Culture and congratulated all the employees of the library, including the leadership of the National Library of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary. In his speech, the speaker brought to the attention of the event participants that the National Library plays a great role in the promotion of world culture as a whole.
The conference continued with reports, then the signing ceremony of memorandums on mutual cooperation was held between the National Library of Azerbaijan and the National Libraries of Pakistan, Russia, Lithuania, the Central National Library of Rome and Kliment Ohrid University and National Library of Macedonia (Skopje).
At the same time, the traditional and electronic book exhibition “Azerbaijani manuscripts in the world’s libraries” and digital copies and printed copies of the manuscripts of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi brought from the world’s national libraries took place.
Also, book exhibitions on the history of the National Library called “From the Golden Fund of the National Library”, “From our National Musical Treasure” and “Publications of the National Library” were opened.
The guests presented their gifts to the National Library on the occasion of the anniversary.