Rabat – In a gesture that reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, Princess Lalla Hasnaa met with Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on Monday at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation headquarters in Baku.
The two women, both at the helm of institutions dedicated to heritage preservation, discussed ways to strengthen ties between their countries through shared cultural values.
Lalla Hasnaa, who leads the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Rabat’s Cultural Heritage, arrived in Baku accompanied by a high-level Moroccan delegation. Among them were Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid; Morocco’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohamed Adil Embarch; and Lalla Nouzha Alaoui, Secretary General of the Rabat heritage foundation.
On the Azerbaijani side, First Lady Aliyeva, who presides over one of the country’s most active cultural institutions, was joined by her daughter, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as Executive Director Anar Alakbarov and presidential advisor Mukhtar Babayev.
The atmosphere of the meeting was filled with mutual respect and a shared desire to build lasting cultural bridges.
Discussions touched on heritage preservation, cultural education, and potential collaborations between Moroccan and Azerbaijani institutions.
The two sides expressed a strong interest in deepening cultural exchange and encouraging dialogue through exhibitions, restoration efforts, and joint initiatives.
On Sunday, Princess Lalla Hasnaa visited the Azerbaijan International Carpet Festival in Baku. Held in the old city of Icherisheher, the festival draws attention to the enduring legacy of Azerbaijani carpet weaving. The art has long stood as a symbol of identity and cultural memory.
The encounter in Baku not only reflected the important the role of cultural diplomacy but also placed two influential women at the center of a growing partnership between Morocco and Azerbaijan, one rooted in shared heritage, and guided by a vision for the future.
