6th International Language Festival
On May 18-20, the 6th International Language Festival was held at the port of Thessaloniki. The QALA Greek-Azeri Friendship Association joined the festival program with the presentation of the Azerbaijani language. Participants of the festival got acquainted with the alphabet of Azerbaijan and got the opportunity to write, read and pronounce words in the Azerbaijani language. At the same time, a presentation dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was held and a presentation of historical monuments and picturesque corners of our homeland took place. In addition, children's poems in the Azerbaijani language and Azerbaijan poet Samad Vurgun's "Azerbaijan" poem were sounded in front of the audience. President of the City of Thessaloniki Mr. Yannis Butaris, Vice President of Education and Sports Alexander Alexandr Barbunakis, and scientist Argiro Mumdidu visited the Azerbaijani stand and photographed with representatives of the QALA Greek-Azeri Friendship Association.
Huseyn Cavid
The Azeri Embassy in Greece and the QALA Greek-Azeri Friendship Association made a presentation dedicated to the celebration of the 135th anniversary of Huseyn Cavid, the prominent philosopher, poet, and theatrical writer who was one of the founders of the progressive romanticism movement in Azerbaijan. The presentation was held at the 15th Thessaloniki International Book Fair.
International Book Fair
The Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Greek-Azeri Friendship Association "QALA" will attend the 15th International Book Fair from May 3rd till May 6th.
Heydar Aliyev
An event dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev was held in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of Greece. The event was organized by Azerbaijan’s Embassy to this country and the Association of Greek-Azeri Friendship “QALA”. The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Eldar Aliyev spoke about the role of Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan's history, the work undertaken by him during the Soviet period as well as during the years of independence of Azerbaijan. Addressing the event participants, General Consul of Turkey in Thessaloniki Orhan Yalman Okan spoke of Heydar Aliyev’s huge contribution to the development of bilateral relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. He lauded that the “ties between two brotherly countries and nations have deep historical roots”. “One nation, two states” principle has covered all spheres of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations that have no analogs in the world,” he underlined. Rashid Mammadov, Chairman of the Association of Greek-Azeri Friendship “QALA” noted that the Azerbaijanis living in Greece, as well in other foreign countries are strongly devoted to the Heydar Aliyev’s heritage, his national idea of Azerbaijanism. Then, the audience watched a documentary on the lifetime and activity of the National Leader.
13th Marathon M.A.
Members of the Greek-Azeri Friendship Association "QALA" participated in the 13th International Marathon "MEGAS ALEXANDROS"
Novruz Celebration 2018
On March 20th, the Greek-Azeri Friendship Association '' QALA '' together with members of the Azeri Embassy in Greece celebrated the Novruz Bayram. The celebration was attended by the President of the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki, Orhan Yalman Okan, alongside his wife.
A First ''Touch''
At the office of the Greek-Azeri Friendship Association ''QALA'', on March 9th, General Secretary Mamedli Salatin alongside members of the Association presented the cities, culture, and traditions of Azerbaijan to the young people of Thessaloniki. The night was very interesting, with games of knowledge, gifts, music, and dancing. Young people first came into contact with the history and culture of Azerbaijan. They tasted Azeri traditional tea and pastry while dancing with Azeri songs. They expressed their great desire to travel to Azerbaijan and see everything they heard and learned.
International Woman's Day 2018
The Association of Greek-Azeri Friendship "QALA'' celebrated International Women's Day on the 8th of March.
1st Anniversary
The Association of Greek-Azeri Friendship ''QALA'' celebrated its first anniversary on the 13th February of 2018 alongside members of the Association with traditional Azeri pastry.
''BLACK JANUARY''
28 years have passed since the declaration of the mourning day in Azerbaijan. It's also called bloody or black January. The event is unfolded in the era of perestroika, against the backdrop of the Karabakh conflict. On the night of 20.01.1990, a protest demonstration of the Azerbaijani people was held in the city of Baku, which was suppressed and ended with the death of 137 civilians. The introduction of parts of the Soviet Army became then a tragedy for Azerbaijan. This day remained in the national memory as the Day of National Tribulation. In connection with the tragic events, the former President, a member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, held a press conference in Moscow condemning the entry of Soviet troops into Baku and accusing Mikhail Gorbachev of violating the constitution. A memorial film was screened at the Qala Greek-Azerbaijani Association in memory of the martyrs of the 20th January, and a roundtable discussion was held with community members.
New Year's Celebration 2017
On 31st December 2017, the members of the Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" gathered to celebrate the Wolrd's Azerbaijani's Solidarity Day and New Year's Eve in a warm, friendly, and festive atmosphere.
Office's Opening Ceremony
On 9/10/2017 the Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" inaugurated its office in the city of Thessaloniki and street Agnostou Stratioti 5. In the inauguration were Eldar Aliyev, counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Athens, and Ilham Mammadov head of the state commission of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan's diaspora. To the inauguration also attended Azeris that live in Thessaloniki as well as their friends.
Food Festival 2017
The Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" participated in the 20th Food Festival "Food for Good" which took place in Plaza Aretsus on the 11th of June 2017. The assembled money was given to the Greek Child Village at Filiro. Members of the Association prepared Azeri delicacies such as dolmades, Azeri pilaf,qutab, and more.
Novruz Celebration 2017
On March 19th The Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" alongside members of the Azeri embassy in Greece celebrated the Novruz.
New Year's Celebration 2016
On December 29th, 2016 the members of the Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" gathered to celebrate the Wolrd's Azerbaijani's Solidarity Day and New Year's Eve in a warm, friendly, and festive atmosphere.
Food Festival 2016
The Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" participated in the 19th Food Festival "Food for Good" which took place in Plaz Aretsus on June 10th, 2016. The assembled money was given to the Greek Child Village at Filiro. Members of the Association prepared Azeri delicacies such as dolmades, Azeri pilaf,qutab, and more.
Novruz Celebration 2016
On March 19th The Association of GreekAzeri Friendship "QALA" alongside members of the Azeri embassy in Greece celebrated the Novruz.