Aliyev presents Istiglal Order to artist Farhad Khalilov

First report · 14:40Latest update ↑

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presented the Istiglal Order to People’s Artist Farhad Khalilov on October 23.

“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Farhad Khalilov and said:

“Dear Farhad, I sincerely congratulate you on your upcoming anniversary. I wish you good health and new achievements.

For many years, you have delighted our people with your art and earned great respect in society. Your works are displayed in various parts of the world. You depict the beauty of Azerbaijan and introduce our country to the world. I would like to express my special gratitude for this. You have played a major role, particularly during the years of independence, in presenting Azerbaijan as a modern country rich in talent. At the same time, you have trained young artists and nurtured a new generation. They, too, draw inspiration from your works and demonstrate their talent.

For nearly 40 years, you have also served with distinction as chairman of the Union of Artists. You are very active in the public life of our country. You have a strong civic stance on all issues, and our people know this well. Those who know you hold you in high regard and speak warmly of you, including me. We have known each other for more than 50 years, and whenever we meet, we have always felt great warmth. The Azerbaijani state highly appreciates your work. You have received several high state orders — the Shohrat, Sharaf and 1st Class Labor orders. Today, on the eve of your anniversary, I am awarding you the Istiglal Order, one of our state’s highest honors. Allow me to present it to you.”

The head of state presented the Istiglal Order to Farhad Khalilov.

President Ilham Aliyev: “Congratulations.”

Farhad Khalilov: “Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you. When I designed the image of this order, I never thought I would receive it.”

President Ilham Aliyev: “You designed it yourself. You are its creator.”

Farhad Khalilov then said: “Mr. President, allow me to express my deep gratitude to you for this recognition and for the recognition shown by our state. Thank you. I have truly tried throughout my life to remain loyal to our country and do everything I can, and I will continue to do so. I would also like to say that we have not met for quite some time. So, speaking sincerely, I have missed you a little. I take the opportunity to write to you from time to time. But today I want to tell you here that Azerbaijan has proved to the whole world in a short time that it must be reckoned with. This is truly extraordinary. Until quite recently, people did not know Azerbaijan or where it was.”

Emphasizing that President Ilham Aliyev had fulfilled National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s wish by liberating the country’s lands from occupation, and that the head of state was successfully continuing the National Leader’s policy, the People’s Artist said: “The Victory achieved in the 44-day war and your interviews showed the world what Azerbaijan is and who Azerbaijan is. This is truly unimaginable. Your experience is a quality that comes from nature. Of course, our National Leader, a great statesman, paved this path. He always took an interest in you, even when you were young.

My affection for you is boundless. I wish you good health. You look very well. Your main ally is Mrs. Mehriban. Your being together and this partnership, in which you complement each other, is truly something that comes naturally. I wish you and your wonderful children good health.”

Speaking about Leyla Aliyeva’s creative work and saying that her works had been warmly received, Farhad Khalilov said: “Leyla and I were in Ashgabat, and I sincerely told her there that these were the works I liked most. She really creates beautiful works. Mrs. Leyla spoke there very beautifully and simply about love and affection. It was fantastic! She also showed her works. I wish good health and success to Mrs. Arzu and Heydar. I am very glad to meet you today and see you so energetic and well.”

President Ilham Aliyev: “Thank you, Farhad. Thank you for your kind words. You spoke about the National Leader. Of course, he has always been an example and a role model in my life. I have always tried not to disappoint him through my work. I should also note that our fathers worked together for many years and held senior positions in Azerbaijan at the time — you could say they were two of the three leaders — and they also had a very sincere friendship. You remember this, and so do I. I was a teenager then, and you were a young artist. These traditions sustain us. Loyalty to our great leaders and continuing their work is a great honor. I am sure their souls are at peace today. Azerbaijan is free, and our lands have been fully liberated from occupation. Their children have each reached great heights in their own fields. I can say that each has reached the highest level in their field. So a great history connects us — family ties, a consistently warm relationship and mutual respect. Regardless of the times, this is a great treasure. I love you wholeheartedly. I have always held you in great respect as a great artist, a wonderful person and someone who expresses and defends his views. I wish you good health, too. You also look very well, mashallah. I hope you will always remain energetic and continue to delight our people with your art as a wonderful person and artist.”

Farhad Khalilov: “Thank you very much.”