A panel session titled "Museums and Heritage Sites as Spaces for Intercultural Dialogue" was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 28 as part of the seventh World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.
The Ministry of Culture told Report that Sabina Hajiyeva, head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the ministry, highlighted Azerbaijan's centuries-long role as a meeting point for different religious traditions and cultures.
"In our country, you can find churches, synagogues and mosques very close to one another. This is evidence of our multicultural environment," she said.
Nicole Dowd, deputy director of the National Museum of Asian Art, discussed the role of art discussions and cultural festivals in increasing interest in the museum community.
Amina Malikova, director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, emphasized that national museums reflect not only history but also peoples' aesthetic thinking and artistic practices developed over time.
Nasser Al Darmaki, vice president of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), spoke about the organization's cooperation with communities, academic circles and cultural institutions, including the British Museum, the Smithsonian Institution and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
Other speakers also addressed museums' role in intercultural dialogue.
The session concluded with the speakers answering questions from the audience.