International Forum of Young Poetesses report

Great Silk Way International Youth Union organized the International Forum of Young Poetesses on June 8-11, 2017. This year, the forum was dedicated to Khurshidbanu Natavan - one of the best lyrical poets of Azerbaijan. She was daughter of Mahdiqoli Khan, the last ruler of the Karabakh Khanate, and was most notable for her lyrical Ghazals.

International Forum of Young Poetesses is an international project implemented by the “Great Silk Way” International Youth Union and its member organizations. The Forum is aimed at creating a space for young and talented artists from the countries, historically connected with cultural bounds of the Silk Road, for self-expression, exchange and discussions on common challenges.

The 1^st Forum was held on 26-28 April 2013 in Baku with participation of young poetesses from 20 countries. 2^nd Forum also held in same city on 12-15 March 2014. The project was awarded as The Best Cross-Border Project 2013 in the category of “Culture” implemented in the Eastern Partnership region, within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Initiative’s Congress on 1-3 October, in Lublin, Poland

Salaam Global Foundation nominated Ms. Hajar Farhadi to participate in the forum.

In the opening ceremony attended by Azerbaijani officials, ambassadors and literature lovers, Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan National Assembly Youth and Sport Committee and Chairman of GSWIYU, Fuad Babayev, Head of Youth Department in Azerbaijan Youth and Sport Ministry and Farhad Hajiyev, Executive Director of Azerbaijan Youth Foundation made speech and then poetesses delivered poets in their native languages.

After the opening ceremony poetesses participated in workshops with Azerbaijani poets Nigar Hasanzadeh and Leyla Sharifeva was held in Nizami Ganjavi Museum of Literature.

Visiting Baku historical monuments and meeting with president of Azerbaijan Poets Association were also among programs.

Great Silk Way” IYU is an international non-commercial organization established to coordinate the activities of youth organizations and to represent and protect their common interests. The main aim and the scope of activities of the organization is promoting the intercultural and interreligious dialogue, create mutually beneficial collaboration, as well as to spread the idea of usage of the potential of youth for sustainable development among the Silk Road countries.

Young people from 28 Silk Way countries established the "Great Silk Way" International Youth Union, during the 1^st Great Silk Way International Youth Congress, on June 27-29, 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.