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Dear Friends,
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Yes, spring is already here... but activities were already blooming at the Azerbaijan Center since January 2015 started!
Commemorations, art exhibitions, soccer and chess tournaments, music nights, cultural events and holidays celebrations brought together Azerbaijani and several international communities to showcase Azerbaijan in Texas.
This first quarter was also the time for another milestones in educational cooperation between Azerbaijan and Texas with the visit of the President of the University of Houston to Baku.
In the field of business and networking initiatives, we are proud to have initiated and made possible the connection between MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston and the National Oncology Center of Baku and to witness the International Scientific Conference of Oncology kick-off in Baku in March 2015.
We are very grateful to our volunteers and sponsors
for making
more than a dozen of events possible and successful
Thank you for your interest in our organization - make sure to send us any feedback on how we are doing at [email protected].
Don't forget to click on the active links to learn more about specific activities.
Happy reading!
Irada Akhoundova, CEO
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Stay Connected and Keep Spreading the Word!
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Culture, Arts & Azerbaijani Diaspora
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Because the culture of a country is nothing without its people, we believe that our Cultural and Azerbaijani Diaspora programs are intrinsically linked with one another. Take a look at our most recent events!
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Black January Commemoration
All across the world, Azerbaijanis and friends of Azerbaijan commemorated the 25th anniversary of the violent crackdown on demonstrators in Baku in 1990 referred to as the Jan. 20 tragedy, also known as Black January.
Read more...
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Annual Sister Cities of Houston Amateur Soccer Tournament
On January, 31st and February 7th, 2015, the Sister Cities of Houston organized their annual Amateur Soccer Tournament aimed at increasing global cooperation at the municipal level and promote cultural understanding. Read more...
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Khojaly Commemoration 1992-2015
On February, 18th 2015, the Azerbaijan Center with the support of its amazing volunteers organized an event in its facility commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre that occurred in Azerbaijan on February 25th & 26th 1992. Read more...
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"Talents of Azerbaijan" - Ella Leya
That evening, the spotlights were on four talented guests with that little something in common: their country of birth, their land, their Azerbaijan:
Ella presented us her first novel "The Orphan Sky" and made all the guests travel and (re)discover the streets of Baku, Azerbaijan. Read more...
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"The Center of the Universe"
A music night celebrating all women
Alina Uddin, Ukrainian pianist and Oleg Sulyga, violinist of the Houston Grand Opera from the International Russian-Speaking Professionals Network in partnership with the Azerbaijan Center celebrated all women of the world
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International Women's Day Potluck in cooperation with ATA Houston
The American Turkish Association of Houston and the Azerbaijan Center gathered on International Women's Day for a potluck celebrating all women and as a symbol of Azerbaijan-Turkey friendship.
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2nd Annual Chess Tournament
in memory of Vugar Gashimov
This year, the event went international with players originally from at least 5 different countries and, as always, we were happy to welcome all ages. Supportive family members, representatives of Azerbaijani diaspora as well as local chess fans were among the attendees at Center64.
Read more...
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Novruz Concert at Goldberg B'nai B'rith Senior Citizens Housing
Novruz celebrations started on March 18th 2015. Our volunteers and talented Azerbaijani artists, Kamiyar, singer and Nargiz Jeffus, pianist, organized a small concert for the seniors who lived and worked in Azerbaijan to celebrate Novruz with the community while savoring baklavas.
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2015 Novruz Gala at Cafe Caspian celebrating Spring!
Novruz gathered many Azerbaijanis and friends of Azerbaijan from Turkey, Holland, the United States and many more in during our annual Novruz Gala.
DJVolkano and singer Kamiyar, on the rhythm of Azerbaijani music, made all the guests dance and celebrate together while sharing the spirit of Novruz.
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Read more about our 2015 Novruz celebrations... |
Education
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President of the University of Houston's visit to Baku deepens cooperation with Azerbaijan
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After over a year of cooperation enabled by the Azerbaijan Center between Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and the University of Houston (UH). It was UH's turn to visit BHOS in Azerbaijan. The visit of UH's delegation was the opportunity to meet with several educational institutions in Baku.
Let's continue building bridges of knowledge between Texas and Azerbaijan!
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| Professor of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences visits the University of Houston |
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It was the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences' turn (ANAS) to visit the University of Houston (UH) after a first introduction in Baku in January 2015. Prof. Ibrahim Guliyev, Vice-President, Scientific Deputy Director; and Professor, Geology and Geochemistry had the pleasure to meet with Petroleum Engineering specialists from UH and the Office of Global Strategies and Studies.
This meeting, facilitated by the Azerbaijan Center, was another step towards deeper cooperation between ANAS and UH.
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Business & Networking
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| MDAnderson physicians in Baku for the International Scientific Conference of Oncology |
On March 14-15th, 2015, the International Scientific Conference of Oncology (ISCO) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan at the Four Seasons Hotel. The conference brought together internationally acclaimed oncologists, local and foreign experts to discuss recent advancements in treatment of liver, larynx, thyroid and breast cancer, and pediatric oncology.
Read more...
Today, the Azerbaijan Center is very proud to showcase the result of a long term collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
"Baku is a beautiful city and a lot of progress is going on. [...]
I hope that we can continue collaborating in the efforts to eradicate cancer."
MD Cesar Nunez
MD Anderson to the Azerbaijan Center
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Citizen Diplomacy & Government Relations
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Sister Cities International Diplomatic Gala in Washington, DC
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Mrs. Irada Akhoundova &
Former Congressman Jim Moran (VA-08)
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The 2015 Sister Cities International Diplomatic Gala was attended by Mrs. Irada Akhoundova, CEO of the Azerbaijan Center and President of Houston-Baku Sister City Association. The gala was a great opportunity to meet with diplomats, members of Congress, municipal officials, and business and community leaders during this formal reception.
Over 30 Ambassadors were present including the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America, Mr.&Mrs. Elin Suleymanov.
The Gala is a celebration of the work that sister city programs do to further the mission of the Peace Through People.
More pictures...
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UPCOMING EVENT
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Azerbaijani movie screening at 48th Worldfest-Houston
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The Azerbaijan Center is pleased to collaborate with
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
along with Houston-Baku Sister City Association, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington DC and Azerbaijan Film Studio in Baku, Azerbaijan to present the new film of Director Asif Rustamov:
DOWN THE RIVER
A poignant drama from Azerbaijan which takes a look a the competitive world of Scull Team Rowing. Roslan is one of the sculling team's most promising young players, however his Father, the team coach, is harsh and very hard-edged especially towards his son. When a tragedy occurs, Roslan's Father is overcome with challenging emotions.
USA PREMIERE SCREENING - NOMINATED FOR A REMI AWARD
In Azerbaijani with English subtitles.
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Get involved with the Azerbaijan Center
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We're just like you. We're teachers, business executives, parents, retirees, students...you name it. But the one thing we all have in common is our dedication to change. And the more volunteers and people truly involved we have, the bigger impact we can all make.
Together.
Contact us
to learn more about what it means to be a volunteer.
"
Be the change you want to see in the world.
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~ Mahatma Gandhi ~
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...to connect
the world!
Each and everyone of you can be an ambassador of the Azerbaijan Center because the more you let your network know about us, the more we can grow as a community and accomplish our goals!
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We're all in this together. And sharing ideas is a great way to help us build stronger bridges between Texas and Azerbaijan.
An idea for a new project?
Let us know!
-> Call: (713) 523 0598
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Volunteer!
The work you do and the things you accomplish when you volunteer have a huge impact on our local community and our global projects.
JOIN THE TEAM!
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