Washington, DC, Thursday afternoon, April 26, 2012, as if Baku Boulevard has been relocated to the Penssylvania Avenue roadside of the Willard Hotel, Azerbaijani Ministers, Members of Parliament and SOCAR executives are sitting in the chairs of the hotel’s terrace cafe. They appear in deep and serious conversation, drinking tea and smoking an occasional cigarette. In a couple of hours it will be show time for Baku.

The one-and-a-half day program described in the glossy information package that was provided upon check-in, lists the details for the receptions, lunches, dinners and the cultural entertainment to be presented in the beautiful halls of the Willard Hotel. Another folder gives biographies of the speakers, a breathtaking list of heavyweights.

There is a close-packed program, an opening speech by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and special sessions dedicated to important and serious matters. Dignitaries listed include Senators, Ministers, Governors, State Representatives, Diplomats, Members of Parliament, Leaders of Azerbaijani’s Religious Communities, Professors and Oil Company Executives. In front of colorful promotional exhibits that display the names of sponsoring organizations, words of wisdom are spoken and visions for the future are shared. Certain words can be repeatedly heard throughout the speeches…“Young Democracy”, “US Friendship”, “Diplomatic Relations”, “Geopolitical Importance”, “World Energy Security”, “Strategic Oil Routes”, “Example for Religious Tolerance”, “Ancient History” , “Silk Road” and “Culture”.

Articles reporting what has been said have already been published. Indeed, an impressive message was delivered in Washington, one that illustrated and confirmed the importance of Azerbaijan’s role in the world’s politics and economy and the diversification of the portfolio of bilateral relations. Of course, content matters, but perhaps even more, the actual opportunity to connect deserves to be highlighted here. Bridges were built as VIP’s of the two nations connected, face to face. There seemed to be a buzz in the air. People mixed during the receptions, lunch and dinner and even during the dances Azeri style. In the lobby of lobbies, in the ballrooms or on the street, ideas were exchanged and partnerships and friendships were forged and momentum was built to move forward. Not all conventions are created equal, not all events offer a program with such an energetic, lively and positive atmosphere. As if a Silk Road caravan sarai was brought to Washington. Typical Azerbaijan, generous hosting, full of decorum, never a dull moment.

Well done, kudos to the sponsors and the organizers, this was the biggest event for Azerbaijan in the U.S. so far. Within a very short time they pulled together and delivered two Amazing Days. Watch this space, Azerbaijan knows how to make big things happen.

On April 21, 2012, Azerbaijani filmmaker Ilgar Najaf, here in the picture together with HBSCA team member Mehriban Efendi,  was awarded an award at the Remi Awards Gala Dinner of the Houston WorldFest Film Festival for his film production “Buta”. The film, in which multiple story lines set in a small village town in Azerbaijan bring to light Gyoncha a young woman finishing her carpet and finding first love, a boy named Buta whose patterns of rocks adorn a hilltop, screened twice at the AMC theatre in Houston. Thank you Ilgar for bringing Azerbaijani culture to Texas!

On April 12th, 2012, Azerbaijani Students Association (ASA) organized a public forum dedicated to the history and legal aspects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The event was held at University Center of University of Houston. The main purpose of the event was to educate UH student body about history of Azerbaijan and provide a forum for public discussion on political, social and ethnic roots of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In her opening remarks, the president of ASA, Mehriban Efendi, mentioned that forum will focus on three main subjects: ethnic history of Caucasus, modern history of Azerbaijan and collapse of Soviet Union and roots of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Professor of Political Science at University of Houston Ryan Kennedy spoke about frozen conflicts, as remnants of the collapse of Soviet Union, providing background information on political, economic and social implications of inter-state conflicts. His presentation was followed by Yusif Aleskerov’s presentation on ethnic history of Caucasus, focusing on various periods of rule in the South Caucasus and providing background information on the ethnicity debate between Armenians and Azerbaijanis pertaining to ethnic identity.

Kamran Zahid, the founder of Azerbaijani Student Association and University of Houston alumni, focused on challenges of Azerbaijan as a country in the first two decades in the history and drawing parallels between modern Republic of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR, 1918-1920).

Yusif Babanly, co-founder and Director of U.S. Azeris Network focused his presentation on the legal aspects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, arguments of sides and the role and stance of the international community in the ongoing negotiations. The forum was concluded by Riad Efendi, Vice President of Houston Baku Sister City Association. His presentation focused on the lookout in the future and possible outcomes of this conflict.

Azerbaijani Students Association was founded in 2006 by Kamran Zahid and seeks to educate students at University of Houston about Azerbaijan’s culture and history. Its current president is Mehriban Efendi, MBA student at Bauer College of Business. The forum was co-sponsored by Houston Baku Sister City Association and U.S. Azeris Network.

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