Millions of our compatriots live in various countries around the world. They operate in different directions.
Azerbaijanis abroad also represent Azerbaijan through their socio-cultural initiatives, organizational efforts, and personal achievements. Recently, the activities of our compatriots have influenced the social environment of the countries they live in, making a significant contribution to the international recognition of Azerbaijan.
The project “Voice of the Diaspora”, launched by Modern.az website, brings this very topic into focus. Within the framework of the project, interviews with Azerbaijanis living abroad will be presented, providing extensive information about their daily lives, their efforts to preserve our culture, their creative initiatives, and their public activities.
The project will reflect both their personal stories and nuances related to the general picture of the Azerbaijani diaspora.
The main goal is to introduce our society to the activities of Azerbaijanis in various countries, to highlight their successes, and to increase public awareness about the diaspora.
At the same time, through these articles, people in our country will gain a more comprehensive understanding of our compatriots abroad, and their awareness of the scope of our diaspora's activities will increase. This is because, most of the time, our society is unaware of the activities of our compatriots who show dedication for Azerbaijan abroad. With this project, we will also provide encouragement to our compatriots abroad.
The first presentation of our project is dedicated to the young Azerbaijani, Toghrul Aliyev, who is actively working in Italy. Currently residing in Genoa, Toghrul Aliyev works in the marketing and public relations department of an international shipping and logistics company.
He was among more than 100 young Azerbaijanis who participated in the VI Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth, organized jointly by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Khankendi from August 3-9 this year.
Our interlocutor first spoke about the distinctiveness of the Italian lifestyle. He noted that while being relaxed in daily life, free from stress, and leaving everything to time initially posed difficulties for him, he later adapted to it:
“In October 2021, I went to Italy to study. I had previously lived in Turkey. However, it was the first time I had come to a country with significant linguistic, religious, and cultural differences. There were few Azerbaijanis in Genoa, so I had no opportunity to connect with compatriots, and my information about the city was very limited. I gradually began to learn everything through my own experience. Initially, I had language difficulties. Although Genoa is an international logistics city, Italians are not very open to foreigners and other languages; they have certain stereotypes in this regard. At 21, I had to learn the language to work with them here.
Furthermore, I encountered more bureaucratic problems. This is because we are accustomed to solving everything practically and quickly; our practical intelligence is superior. Therefore, the slow pace of work here, the patience of Italians, and their culture of waiting taught me patience as well. Entering Italian culture teaches you to adapt to a slower pace of life. As a young person raised in a culture with extensive practical opportunities, this was a serious challenge for me. Even the most basic tasks took days, sometimes even months. However, over time, I began to enjoy it. Italians are long-lived people. I believe the lifestyle here plays a role in that.”
"When Italians learned I was Azerbaijani, they asked many questions about our country."
“In the area where I lived, I found few people who had information about the South Caucasus. Ordinary people had even less knowledge about our country. After they learned I was Azerbaijani, they asked me many questions about our culture, region, and language. I always tried to give comprehensive answers to their questions. I thought that the person in front of me would be receiving information about my country and region for the first time. I always felt this responsibility and tried to form an objective, comprehensive, and detailed opinion about Azerbaijan in them.
I believe I was successful in this. Because my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who learned about Azerbaijan from me for the first time researched very positive and interesting facts about our country and discussed them with me. Some of my friends even have classical Azerbaijani music in their playlists now. Middle-aged Italians always ask me about mugham; I have sent them videos about it, and they always say they really like our music.”
"My manager hung the Azerbaijani flag in his office."
“I believe music is a universal concept; even if the words are not fully understood by others, its melody and tones form opinions in people about that country, its people, and its values. That is why I always specifically emphasize our music when talking about Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani music is an unparalleled treasure, and I have always tried to promote our superior ethnic identity through our music. We have always received positive feedback from this. Here, I let people listen to the music of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Niyazi, Muslim Magomayev, and Gara Garayev; they are very impressed, and after that, I start talking about Karabakh, the roots of the music, history, and our national-spiritual values. This approach seems to give them a chance for practical experience related to Azerbaijan.
Also, when I come to Azerbaijan, I ask my mother to bake shakarbura and pakhlava, and when I return to Italy, I treat my friends and colleagues to these sweets. They repeatedly ask me to bring shakarbura and pakhlava every time I return from Azerbaijan.
When I return, I also have special gifts related to Azerbaijan for my friends. Whatever I can present about our country, I give them as gifts to my friends. I even gifted the Azerbaijani flag to my manager on my day off. Because the harmony of our flag's colors, and the beauty of the crescent and star, attracted him; our flag is still hanging in his office.”
"The Azerbaijani education system and the Italian education system are completely different."
“Education in Italy, at all levels, is primarily a face-to-face system directly focused on the student's personal opinion. Methods such as written exams, tests, etc., common in Azerbaijan, are used as little as possible, and are generally not used at all in universities. Students sit face-to-face with professors and discuss the given topic. Even if you provide memorized answers from a textbook in exams here, your result will not be considered acceptable. Students are asked how they can implement this in practice with various examples. It is difficult to finish an exam with one question, as answers often lead to further questions. Sometimes exams can last up to 1 hour. I remember entering an exam at 08:30 and leaving at 6 PM.
“ERASMUS + was the most important step in my educational life and initial career steps. Joining this program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was thanks to this that I learned to study different cultures, meet people, work, and at the same time operate in a competitive environment and compare national-cultural values with other cultures,” noted the diaspora activist we interviewed.
"Wherever they may be, I would definitely recommend all young people to pursue education."
“Education is the main power in life, because an uneducated person is weak and faces more problems. The primary reason for this stems from an inability to understand people and the world, and to be free. Because education is freedom, power, and ability. Therefore, this is my initial recommendation. Furthermore, if they have the means – and here I am not just talking about financial means, because I myself was not born into a family with very high financial means. However, my family made sacrifices to provide me with certain opportunities for my education. For this, I am always grateful to them. If I had the opportunity to say something to families, I would say that some things can be sacrificed, but education should not be sacrificed for anything – studying abroad would be even better. But one should not simply think "I want to study abroad" and pursue that path. They should visualize the person they want to become and pursue education in the country and field that will open up opportunities for them, wherever they see themselves developing. Simply thinking "I want to study abroad" leads to a waste of time. An individual should focus on opportunities that will contribute to the person they want to be in the future. This should be thoroughly researched, identifying which university in which country. They should strive to be the best wherever they go, in the country they are in. This is the most difficult part. Because when you go there, you are unfamiliar with the local language and national-spiritual values. They should not be discouraged by the initial difficulties they face; they should rely on their own strength and inner belief. If they combine their capabilities with the opportunities of the country where they are studying, very excellent results will emerge.”
"Just as every child is a mirror of their family, we are also a mirror of Azerbaijan."
“I have been living abroad since 2017. I first went to Turkey, and in two years, it will be 10 years that I will have completed a certain part of my youth abroad. As someone studying and working here, representing Azerbaijan abroad has been my greatest goal. Because wherever I am, I believe I am recognized more as an Azerbaijani than just as Toghrul.
Knowing this, with every action and word, in local and international symposiums and programs I participate in, and everywhere I speak, I have thought about how much further, higher, and as a country with multicultural values I can present our country as an Azerbaijani. My goal is this. Azerbaijan is represented abroad by Azerbaijanis, just as, as teachers say, every child is a mirror of their family, we are also a mirror of Azerbaijan. I know and believe this. The brighter and more illuminated I can keep that mirror, the happier I am. Because every foreign citizen who looks at it should see the most beautiful reflection there; in this case, by looking at it, they will get to know Azerbaijan in the best possible way.”
"Everyone considers the State Committee on Work with Diaspora as their support."
“As an Azerbaijani abroad, I participate in events related to special days held by the embassy here. I try to further strengthen my connections with Azerbaijanis here. I strengthen my ties with representatives of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora. I am regularly represented in meetings, projects, and all activities organized in the name of Azerbaijan.
We believe that in the coming days, we will succeed in opening an Azerbaijani cultural center in Milan, Italy. The State Committee on Work with Diaspora also has strong efforts here. The State Committee works very well with our compatriots abroad. Our requests are answered immediately. I have extensive connections with young Azerbaijanis living and studying in most countries. Everyone considers the State Committee on Work with Diaspora as their support. Of course, this is also perceived as our state's care for Azerbaijanis abroad.
I should also mention that I participated in the VI Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth held in the liberated city of Khankendi this August. The event, attended by over 100 young people from abroad, was a unique experience for us. This camp was an invaluable opportunity for networking among young Azerbaijanis living in different countries, gaining extensive information about our country, learning about the new realities created by the 44-day Patriotic War, and disseminating this information abroad. On behalf of myself and my friends, I extend my thanks to the organizers. The camp has placed a responsibility on us to engage in more serious activities. We will overcome all of these challenges.
To feel Karabakh, to sense its aroma, to see Shusha, Khankendi, was perhaps the most beautiful feeling I have ever experienced. I was proud on behalf of my nation, my people; I stepped onto Karabakh as a proud, victorious, and dignified Azerbaijani youth. During the years of occupation, I was a young person who always fought to articulate the truths of Karabakh, the pain and suffering endured by our people, and to convey them to the international community throughout my time living abroad. And now, that same young person was in Karabakh, right in Khankendi, Shusha, on Jidir Duzu! And in those moments of pride, my eyes welled up with tears, because the great and magnificent path taken by our dear martyrs, who opened this way for us and brought us to Karabakh, was right before my eyes. My throat tightened, and my eyes watered. We met with our veterans and the mothers of martyrs, and we had long conversations.
This camp was a turning point for me. Both from the perspective of strengthening my attachment to my homeland and reaffirming it within myself, and in terms of my personal development, and the increase of my knowledge and skills. At the same time, I must also note that this camp inspired me to work harder, to be more active, and to work with all my strength wherever my homeland's name is mentioned. It further strengthened my love, faith, and loyalty to my homeland and state.”
"All the experience I gained here is also for Azerbaijan."
“As young people who carry and love their homeland in their hearts, Azerbaijan is present in every part of my future plans. Naturally, I would like to work in Azerbaijan in the future. If I can serve our state and people in any field, contribute to its strengthening, development, and participate in its cultural and political activities, it would be a great honor for me. I must also note that it is better for an Azerbaijani youth to remain wherever they can represent their country better, superiorly, and with broader opportunities. Provided that they expand their activities in their chosen field and also make room for Azerbaijan. This is the basis of my activity and thinking. Wherever I am, I try to find an opportunity to work related to Azerbaijan. The State Committee on Work with Diaspora has also encouraged this. Not just me, but most young people think this way.”
Toghrul Aliyev's brief biography:
Aliyev Toghrul Teymur oglu was born on April 12, 2000, in Gabala. He received his secondary education at the full secondary school in Hamzali village, Gabala district. From the 8th grade, he continued his education at full secondary school No. 242 in Baku. He received his bachelor's degree in public administration and political science at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Karabük University in Turkey. In 2021, he was admitted to the master's program in security issues and diplomacy in international relations at the Faculty of International Relations and Political Sciences of the University of Genoa in Italy.
He completed his master's education in 2024. During his studies from 2021-2024, he completed internships three times as an intern in ERASMUS + internship projects at various companies in Lithuania, Poland, and the Netherlands.
