In honor of the Azerbaijani public figure Khurshidbanu Natavan, ICESCO and Heydar Aliyev Foundation are launching the ICESCO-Azerbaijan Natavan Excellence Award for best practice in promoting and profiling the best practice in the management and conservation of heritage assists in the Islamic World.
Effective conservation and management of heritage has a profound impact on people’s identity and guarantees future generation with a heritage to be proud of. Given the current concerns in the world caused by unsustainable developments, conflict and climate change humanity faces many challenges, which threaten the heritage of the world. Due to the rapid and numerous challenges, facing our heritage there is need for an environment, which encourages innovative and technologically sound thinking to ensure that our heritage provides for the current and future generations in the Islamic world.
The Award recognize and promote best practices in the conservation and management of tangible heritage and increase promotion and appreciation of the heritage in the Islamic world. It encourages excellent initiatives, which ensure remembering and celebrating the best of the heritage within our world. It aims to highlight the innovative practices in conservation and management of heritage in terms of skills used as well as social and economic impacts of the project on local communities.
The Award is for innovative individuals and organizations whose ideas are recognized to demonstrate an exceptional level of implementation, impact and public engagement to ensure conservation and management of the heritage in a sustainable way.
The award is named in honor of the Azerbaijani public figure Khurshidbanu Natavan, celebrating her charity, social activism, and philanthropy in safeguarding cultural heritage. Natavan, a prominent Azerbaijani poetess and philanthropist, played a vital role in preserving and promoting both tangible and intangible heritage in the 19th century. As the daughter of the last ruler of the Karabakh Khanate, she not only enriched Azerbaijani literature with her poetic works but also supported cultural initiatives, fostering artistic expression and community welfare. Natavan was instrumental in restoring historic structures, sponsoring local artisans, and promoting the rich musical, literary and other traditions of Karabakh. Her efforts in philanthropy and cultural preservation left a lasting legacy, making her a symbol of resilience and cultural pride in Azerbaijan.
Khurshidbanu left an eternal mark in the memories of the Shushavians. The springs built by Natavan from famous Shusha white stones were called «Natavan springs» and were also considered historical monuments under protection.
The Natavan Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage aims to highlight the best practices in conservation and management within ICESCO Member States. It encouraging the adoption of advanced methods and fostering collaboration among countries to preserve and enhance their heritage. The award also seeks to recognize and celebrate the contributions of exceptional individuals whose efforts demonstrate excellence in the safeguarding of cultural heritage.
The award is designed to recognize projects focused on the conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of tangible cultural heritage.
Engaged in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage through the development of effective policies, strategic planning, institutional leadership, or resource mobilization.
who have made an outstanding impact in the conservation, restoration, or management of cultural heritage. Individuals’ maybe, architects, conservators, curators, site managers, and other technical specialists whose work demonstrates exceptional quality, innovation, or influence in preserving cultural heritage.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been established on the grounds of the nation’s wish to express its esteem for the memory of Heydar Aliyev, who entered our history as a builder of an independent state, and the necessity of reflecting his rich moral heritage, underlining the importance for our country of the philosophy of Azerbaijanism and cultivating the national statehood ideas in our children.
Since its establishment in 2004, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been actively contributing to Sustainable development in the world by implementing various projects in Education, Public Health, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Environment, and other sectors. The Foundation has successfully led many initiatives in the cultural sphere, including supporting the restoration of numerous cultural heritage sites and monuments in Azerbaijan and around the world. It has undertaken restoration projects in countries such as Italy, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and many other locations, aiming to preserve cultural and historical heritage.
