Exhibition in Baku highlights call to end violence against children

An exhibition promoting nonviolent approaches to child-rearing opened this week in the Azerbaijani capital, aiming to spark a public conversation around child protection and the importance of nurturing parenting, according to Report.

Titled “No to Violence,” the exhibition was organized by the Swedish Embassy in Azerbaijan and centers on the legacy of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, best known for her Pippi Longstocking series. The installation features excerpts from Lindgren’s 1978 speech “Never Violence,” in which she argued for raising children with love and respect, without the use of force.

The exhibition also includes visual works by Swedish illustrator Stina Wirsén, whose pieces underscore the emotional resonance of Lindgren’s words.

Speaking at the opening, Tobias Lorentzson, Sweden’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, framed the exhibition as part of a broader push to uphold children’s rights. The event was timed to coincide with International Children’s Day, observed annually on June 1.

“This day reminds us how vital it is to protect, support, and listen to children across the globe,” Lorentzson said. He noted that the ideas Lindgren expressed nearly five decades ago remain strikingly relevant today.

Also in attendance was Hijran Huseynova, chair of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s committee on family, women and children’s affairs. She noted that child welfare remains a cultural priority in Azerbaijan.

“We approach child-rearing with great care,” she said. “While we focus on education and development, the issue of violence against children remains deeply troubling and demands a clear-eyed."

PHOTO: Zaur Mustafayev