On 14th February 2013 Black Sea Tourism Fair was opened in Ordu town of Turkey. 55 organizations from 11 cities of Black Sea region along with Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan joined the fair which is for the first time organized in this town.
Azerbaijan is represented there by MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Travel Tour Comp.
Ordu town governor Orhan Duzgun, Samsun city governor Husssein Aksoy, Sinop governor Ahmet Chengiz, Amasia governor Abdul Jalil Oz, Giresun City governor Dursun Ali Shahin, Ordu town garnison commander police colonel Sharaf Chakmak and known businessmen participated at the opening ceremony held in Ordu Culture and Tourism Center. Ordu town governor Orhan Duzgun underscored the opportunities of visitor acceptance grown last years in Black Sea region, this region possessed significant share in his field entirely in Turkey in the terms of summer and winter tourism. The governor said the exhibition will play important role in recognition of this region.
Along with musicians from Black Sea regions, MIRAS music group performed Mughams at the art part of opening ceremony.
MIRAS delegation, i.e. chairman of MIRAS Social Organization, Fariz Khalilli, deputy chairman Arzu Soltan, chief departments Albina Rzayeva, Nijat Nuriyev and employees of Heritage Travel, Valeh Jafarov and Zaka Babazadeh took active part in showing tourism opportunities of Azerbaijan to visitors. Various books, journals, CDs published by Minsitry of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Azerbaijan and Haydar Aliyev Foundation were distributed among the participants. Journals, books, brochures, CDs and other resources of MIRAS ad Heritage Travel are spread at the fair. At the same time, collaboration agreements were gained with different tourism companies, travel agencies, hotels and others.
On 15th February, 2013 MIRAS Social Organization arranged a seminar on “Archaeological and ecological heritage” in Ordu University of Ordu town, Turkey.
The participants were firstly shown “Azerbaijan Land of Monuments” documentary produced by MIRAS with support of the Council of State Support to NGOs under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Chairman of MIRAS Organization, PhD Fariz Khalilli made a speech on “Eco-archaeological research in Azerbaijan”. In his speech the chairman talked about natural dye and traditional construction materials used in Azerbaijan historically and importance of their deep study and re-usage.
Deputy Chairman of MIRAS Organization, Arzu Soltan in her speech on “Archaeological excavations in Agsu and MIRAS Social Organization” dealt with the activity of the organization and the work done in the line of promoting our cultural heritage in the world.
There were questions and discussions at the seminar attended by rector of Ordu University, Prof. Tarik Yarilgach, other professors and teachers. The rector Tarik Yrailgach expressed gratitude to the delegation of MIRAS Organization and presented Fariz Khalilli and Arzu Soltan plaquettes. The chairman of MIRAS, Fariz Khalilli thanked to Ordu University for the created circumstance and pesented in turn a plaquette of honour to the rector, Professor Tarik Yarilgach.
The delegation of MIRAS and Heritage Travel participated at various cultural events in Ordu and Giresun cities. The delegation was accepted by Kadir Aydin, chief of municipality of Bulanjak settlement of Giresun province. The perspectives of mutual collaboration were discussed during the meeting. Primary agreement was achieved on joint work on project of ethnographic museum to be created in the settlement.
That day rector of Giresun University, professor from Azerbaijan Aygun Attar acepted MIRAS staff and said she is ready to assist in the work in the line of promotion of cultural heritage and tourism potential of Azerbaijan. She invited MIRAS Music Group to perform at concert of Giresun Unviersity State Conservatory.
MIRAS delegation went to Ineje Village of Bulanjak settlement, visited ethnographic tourism center. Acquaintance with traditional ceremony, live music, and national cuisine took place at the center called by settlers “Baba ojagi”. Miras music group participated actively.
On 17 February, 2013 MIRAS staff visited archaeological monument Kurul rock in Bayadi Village of Ordu. Open air temple and underground tower were revealed as a result of 2010 archaeological excavations. 1st century B.C. finds exist in the monument protected by Ministry and Tourism of Turkey.
MIRAS members went to magnificent Sarayburnu Mosque built on Black Sea road in Giresun. They met Yusif Ziya Sipahi, chairman of Sarayburnu Sage Mosque Charity Service Culture and Solidarity Fund made integrity of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture.
On the last visit day delegation participated at the Giresunspor concert of sport club support organized by Giresun University. Music performed by members of MIRAS music group, tar performer Mehman Mikayilov, performer of kamancha (an oriental bow instrument), Jahandar Mikayilov, mugham performers Ruslan Adgozalov and Turkay Melikova were welcomed heartily.
Along with promoting Azerbaijani tourism, the delegation tried to have a close acquaintance with Turkey’s tourism opportunities.