During the conversation some questions the meaning of cultural diplomacy, strategies the institution follows, the challenges it faces, the projects and collaborations it has on their agenda and its connection to Germany served as guidelines to get a better understanding of the initiatives of the Cultural Center and its position in the cultural and diplomatic sphere.

The Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin is part of a global network supported and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Mr. Mammadov explained that, as the largest Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Europe, it plays a pivotal role in organizing and coordinating cultural initiatives. The facility operates under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany and it aims to widely promote Azerbaijan's culture, history, social and economic development, as well as its scientific, technological, and tourism potential. The center organizes regular exhibitions, concerts and presentations to foster mutual understanding and strengthen the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Germany. The Deputy Director highlighted that the institute also has its own library and offers free Azerbaijani language classes.

In the context of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin, cultural diplomacy can be defined as the use of cultural initiatives to build bridges between nations and promote mutual understanding. The institute achieves this by showcasing Azerbaijan's rich history, traditions, arts, and scientific achievements through exhibitions, concerts and presentations in various parts of Germany. This helps foster personal connections and a deeper appreciation between Azerbaijani and German communities. According to Mr. Mammadov, cultural diplomacy enables Azerbaijan to share its unique identity while contributing to global cultural diversity.

He explained that the center’s aim is to create immersive and engaging experiences that introduce Azerbaijan’s traditions, innovations, and achievements. One strategy they use is music; they experiment with genre blends to appeal to German audiences. For example, they combine traditional Azerbaijani music, such as Mugham, with classical and modern styles, creating performances that are both innovative and accessible. These musical events serve as a way to present Azerbaijani culture in compelling and memorable forms. In addition, the institute invites German musicians and performers to participate in Azerbaijani music, creating a direct intercultural exchange.

The center emphasizes Azerbaijan’s multicultural heritage by highlighting the historical German settlements in Azerbaijan, including Helenendorf (Göygöl) and Annenfeld (Şəmkir), established in the early 19th century. These communities had lived and collaborated peacefully with Azerbaijanis for generations, contributing to joint cultural, social, and economic initiatives. This stands as an example of tolerance and cross-cultural respect. Its heritage continues today through the preservation of German architecture and joint cultural projects, reflecting a mutual dedication to protecting and celebrating shared history. By sharing these historical examples, they aim to deepen German audiences’ appreciation of Azerbaijan’s diverse and interconnected cultural identity.

The Azerbaijan Cultural Center actively soughts collaboration with German cultural institutions, including museums, libraries and educational establishments. Mr. Mammadov noted that although the center had established positive relationships with several institutions, the results had not fully met expectations. Nevertheless, they have many promising ideas for joint projects with museums and initiatives ready to launch, aimed at highlighting the historically friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Germany. He emphasized that these collaborations are intended to strengthen cultural ties and share unique perspectives and stories with audiences in both countries.

According to the Director, the center rarely encounters significant challenges in organizing its cultural projects. All events are offered free of charge, underscoring their commitment to making Azerbaijani culture accessible to everyone. However, free admission does not always guarantee large audiences, which remains a notable difficulty. Nevertheless, they continue to design creative and engaging programs aimed at attracting visitors and fostering meaningful cultural exchange between the two countries.

A key priority for the institute is the promotion of the Azerbaijani language. Through language learning, participants not only gain communication skills but also naturally immerse themselves in the nation’s history, traditions, arts, and modern achievements. Mr. Mammadov emphasized that language serves as a gateway to a deeper understanding of Azerbaijan’s identity and allows learners to form a personal connection with its rich cultural heritage.

Azerbaijani culture makes a significant contribution to Europe’s broader cultural dialogue. By presenting its unique traditions, historical narratives, and contemporary artistic expressions, the Center strengthens mutual understanding between cultures. Collaborative initiatives—such as exhibitions on Azerbaijani carpet art—demonstrate this effort in practice.

Furthermore, Mr. Mammadov mentioned the center’s proactive approach to expand its network, particularly in the realm of cultural heritage and preservation. It is actively dedicated to establishing new relationships with museums, theatres, and other cultural institutions in Germany. Their core strategy involves leveraging joint cultural projects to both promote Azerbaijani culture and significantly strengthen the intercultural dialogue between the two nations. The Deputy Director drew attention to the fact that the institute actively fosters direct relations between museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in both Azerbaijan and Germany and therefore successfully creates concrete opportunities for sustainable international cooperation.

Looking ahead, the center has mapped out several strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural dialogue. Their major focus is on the unifying power of music and artistic expression; they intend to significantly expand their musical programmes, recognizing music as a shared, rich heritage that naturally connects Azerbaijan and Germany. Mr Mammadov noted that the institution plans to play an active role in international festivals, using these platforms to introduce Azerbaijani artistry to broader audiences.

Beyond traditional arts, they are committed to developing projects within the creative industries, with a specific emphasis on the film sector. By strategically expanding activities into these diverse creative fields, the center hopes to generate more extensive opportunities for dialogue, effectively showcase the dynamism of contemporary Azerbaijani culture, and build lasting, reciprocal cultural connections between Azerbaijan and Germany.

The ICD team would like to thank Mr. Isa Mammadov and the Cultural Center of Azerbaijan in Berlin for their hospitality and the possibility of conducting an insightful interview with the Deputy Director.

• Independent