Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has been honored with the Nizami Ganjavi international award, the Baku Department of Culture and Tourism said on its website on Wednesday.

According to the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Thatcher's secretariat welcomed the decision to grant the award.

"Addressing you on behalf of the Baroness Margaret Thatcher, we convey you her pride and profound gratitude for the decision to nominate Thatcher with Nizami Ganjavi's award," the secretariat said.

Nizami Ganjavi award was conferred for exclusive merits to the world community. The award is founded by Azerbaijan's State Commission on Work with Diaspora jointly with Ganja city's Executive Authority.

The award consists of a gold medal with the image of great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi and an international certificate.

Former US President Bill Clinton, former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, Burma political figure Aung San Suu Kyi, Latvian former President Vaira Vike-Freiberga have also been honored with the award.

Nizami Ganjavi, the greatest representative of the Eastern Renaissance, was born in the 12th century in Azerbaijan and represented the quintessence of world literature and philosophy in his immortal work Khamsa (Five), via the aesthetic power of his art.

Nizami Ganjavi International Center, based in Ganja, Azerbaijan's second largest city, was established in September 2012 to raise awareness about the great works of poet Nizami Ganjavi, to help return his masterpieces to his homeland, to be a depository for Nizami's works, and to further develop the values embodied in his creations through community engagement.