The opening of the exhibition on May 20 was attended both by a number of local guests and representatives of the international community, the pupils of the primary school in Baku were nice and welcome guests. The exhibition was opened by representative of Azerbaijan Railways Ms. Aybaniz Ismayilova, a representative of the Czech Embassy gave a short speech and an interesting introductory information was given by the author of the exhibition, the renowned art photographer, traveler and art curator Mr. Aydin Sadikhov. Among the guests of honour were representatives of the Working Group on Azerbaijani-Czech Inter-Parliamentary Relations.

The photographic materials on display were taken by Mr Sadikhov particularly in the cooperation with the Czech Railways, especially with the Museum of Czech Railways in Lužná u Rakovníka.

The exhibition will take place from May 20 to June 1, 2024 in the beautiful, newly renovated premises of the Azerbaijan Railway Museum - in the historic Sabunchu Railway Station. After years of covid hiatus, this is the first international exhibition here. The photo project provides a pleasant opportunity to take a glimpse into the world of historic locomotives and trains, architectural structures of railway stations and interesting railway technology.

The timeframe of the exhibition was very topical. Azerbaijan is developing into a major world transit hub in which the expansion of the rail network plays a significant role. The exhibition, as highlighted by the Communications Director of Azerbaijan Railways, Ms. Aybaniz Ismajlova, took place on the day of the commissioning of the expanded and upgraded Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line (BTK), in whose original construction the Czech Republic participated. The recent expansion has increased the annual transport capacity of the BTK railway from 1 million tons to 5 million tons.

M. Lubojacký

Links: https://www.facebook.com/AzerbaycanDemirYollari/videos/3668778880009368/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

https://www.azernews.az/nation/226460.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&si=zvJmPzQI3EuF8Hni&v=Vhy8QszZFgE&feature=youtu.be