900th Anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani Commemorated in Ashgabat
As part of the Cultural Days of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan, an event dedicated to the 900th anniversary of the eminent Azerbaijani architect and founder of the Nakhchivan School of Architecture, Ajami Abu Bakr oghlu Nakhchivani, was held on 5 June at the State University of Architecture and Construction of Turkmenistan.
The event brought together the university’s leadership, faculty members, students, and distinguished guests.
Opening the event, Professor Karim Tahirov, Director of the National Library of Azerbaijan, described Ajami Nakhchivani as a great master architect who introduced a new direction to medieval Azerbaijani architecture and brought elegance, refinement, and dynamism to the architectural style of his era.
Professor Tahirov noted that, pursuant to a decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the 900th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani is being commemorated at the state level. He further highlighted that the anniversary had been included in the 2024–2025 programme of anniversaries recognized by UNESCO.
Participants then listened to a presentation entitled “Ajami Nakhchivani and Classical Azerbaijani Architecture” delivered by Rahiba Aliyeva, professor of the Institute of Architecture and Art of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.
The presentation emphasized the significant place occupied by Ajami Nakhchivani’s creative legacy in the flourishing of Azerbaijani cultural and intellectual thought during the twelfth century. Among the finest examples of his architectural genius are the Momine Khatun Mausoleum and the Mausoleum of Yusif ibn Kuseyir, both of which are regarded as masterpieces of the Turkic-Islamic architectural tradition. These monumental structures are distinguished by their sophisticated composition and outstanding aesthetic perfection.
Professor Aliyeva further noted that the architectural school established by Ajami Nakhchivani exerted a profound influence not only on the subsequent development of Azerbaijani architecture but also on architectural traditions across the broader Near East.
The event continued with a presentation by Professor Hikmat Mammadov, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, member of the Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and Doctor of Political Sciences, on the theme “Seljuk Architecture and Ajami Nakhchivani.”
In his remarks, Professor Mammadov underscored that if Seljuk architecture is regarded as one of the pinnacles of Turkic-Islamic architectural heritage, then Ajami Nakhchivani stands as the foremost representative of its Azerbaijani branch.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion during which the speakers responded to questions from participants and exchanged views on the enduring significance of Ajami Nakhchivani’s architectural legacy.
