First Official Gathering of Lithuanian University Alumni in Azerbaijan
Updated 2026-07-17
On June 20, the Embassy in partnership with Azerbaijan-Baltic Alumni Network and the Study Abroad State Program organized the first official gathering of Azerbaijani graduates of Lithuanian universities.
On June 20, the Embassy in partnership with Azerbaijan-Baltic Alumni Network and the Study Abroad State Program organized the first official gathering of Azerbaijani graduates of Lithuanian universities.
The event brought together alumni from Lithuanian universities, providing an opportunity to reconnect, exchange experiences, and discuss future avenues of cooperation. The programme featured alumni success stories, musical performances, networking, and a presentation of Lithuanian culinary traditions, including the traditional cold beetroot soup (šaltibarščiai).
The Embassy hopes that this gathering will serve as the foundation for a dynamic Lithuanian—and, in the future, broader Baltic—alumni community in Azerbaijan, fostering lasting professional, academic, and cultural links while creating new opportunities for Lithuania–Azerbaijan and Baltic–Azerbaijan cooperation.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Kęstutis Vaškelevičius emphasised that alumni are far more than former students—they are enduring bridges between Lithuania and Azerbaijan. Through their first-hand knowledge of both countries, cultures, and academic traditions, they make an important contribution to strengthening people-to-people contacts, deepening bilateral friendship, and encouraging new partnerships in education, business, science, and culture.
The Embassy extends its sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks are due to Members of the Milli Majlis, Mr. Nasib Mahamaliyev and Mr. Kamran Bayramov, and to the Director of the State Programme on Education Abroad, Mr. Gadir Khalilov, for their participation and valuable remarks.
The Embassy also expresses its gratitude to former Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Lithuania, Mr. Hasan Mammadzadeh, whose dedicated efforts significantly contributed to the success of many Azerbaijani students in Lithuania, as well as to Mr. Tofig Hasanov of the Central Election Commission and his team for their support.
Particular appreciation is extended to the Azerbaijan Baltic Alumni Network and its founder, Mr. Khidir Kazimov, whose initiative and commitment were instrumental in bringing together graduates whose personal and professional ties continue to strengthen the friendship between Lithuania and Azerbaijan.
The Embassy also warmly thanks the Vatan Music Group and Mr. Parviz Alastan Farhadov for their outstanding musical performance, which introduced guests to the richness of Azerbaijani mugham tradition and added a special cultural dimension to the evening.
