An opening ceremony for the Azerbaijan House was held in the village of Kawashra, Lebanon, marking a significant step for the Azerbaijani community in the region. Kawashra is known as one of the prominent Turkic villages in Lebanon and was visited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye in 2010. According to the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the ceremony began with a visit to the monument erected in memory of the martyrs of the Karabakh war in Kawashra.

The event officially commenced with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Lebanon, followed by a moment of silence to honor the memory of the martyrs. Speaking at the ceremony, Khaled Ismail, the head of the Azerbaijan House in Lebanon, emphasized the importance of this cultural center for the Turkmen community. He stated that the opening of the Azerbaijan House provides an opportunity for Turkmens to learn about Azerbaijani history, literature, and culture. “We are grateful to the Azerbaijani government for creating this opportunity,” he added.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, Vagif Seyidbayov, congratulated the attendees on this notable event. He highlighted that the establishment of the Azerbaijan House in Lebanon would strengthen ties between Azerbaijan and Lebanon and serve as an important cultural bridge for the Turkmen community. “To date, 30 Azerbaijan Houses have been opened in 19 countries around the world. This is a clear example of the Azerbaijani state’s and President Ilham Aliyev’s care for our compatriots abroad,” Seyidbayov noted.

In addition, a cultural event was held in Kawashra to celebrate the opening of the Azerbaijan House, featuring artistic performances that highlighted Azerbaijani culture.