On December 18, 2025, a cultural and educational event titled "Voices of the Far East: Books and Culture" was held at Khazar. The event was organized by the LIC and was dedicated to introducing Japanese culture, literature, and book heritage. The event was moderated by Jale Mammadova, staff member of the university's International Relations Department.
The event opened with a musical program performed by Khazar University's Chamber Orchestra. The moderator then gave the floor to Prof.Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, for the opening speech. In his remarks, Hamlet Isakhanli emphasized the significance of the event, discussing the important role of intercultural dialogue and book exchange, as well as the necessity of continuing existing cooperation with Japanese universities. His Excellency Watanabe Katsuya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered remarks highlighting the prospects for developing cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries.
In the next speech, Gunel Bahaddinova, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at Khazar University, presented information about Khazar University.
During the event, a letter from Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, was read in English and Azerbaijani. This was followed by a presentation titled "The Expressiveness of the Japanese Language" by Tsuchiya Taiji, diplomat at the Culture and Information Department of the Embassy of Japan in Azerbaijan.
Aytaj Misgarli, Director of Khazar University's LIC, spoke about the significance of the books donated to the university by the Nippon Foundation, noting that these publications would serve as an important scientific and cultural resource for the library's numerous users. Expressing hope that future cooperation would be sustainable, she conveyed her profound gratitude to the Nippon Foundation, the Embassy of Japan in Azerbaijan, and to Hamlet Isakhanli for his support in developing these collaborations.
At the conclusion of the event, a tour was conducted of the book exhibition featuring volumes donated by the Nippon Foundation.
The event was met with great interest by participants in terms of introducing the rich scientific and cultural heritage of Japan, promoting reading culture, and strengthening intercultural ties.