WUF13 | World Urban Forum: Ganja

The sixth instalment of the World Urban Forum series takes you to Azerbaijan’s second-largest city and the country’s first capital: Ganja. The birthplace of the great romantic epic poet Nizami Ganjavi, Ganja has long been recognised as the cradle of science in the Caucasus and a vital trading post along the Silk Road — roles that fostered the exchange of ideas, traditions and beliefs, shaping the multicultural, tolerant and diverse society that has always defined the city. Written, produced, directed and presented by three-time Cannes Award winner and three-time Emmy Award winner Fred Naccache, this episode examines Ganja as a symbol of cultural advancement, forward-thinking, multiculturalism, and diversity, presenting the city as a unique tapestry: at once a historical center, a cultural capital, a college town, and a modern metropolis, where the energy of a big-city meets the intimacy of a small-town, offering outstanding quality of life for its residents and world-class hospitality for visitors. Paying tribute to the poetry of Nizami Ganjavi, this episode features the poet’s Mausoleum and Museum, as well as the Khamsa Monuments that honors his work, alongside visits to Ganja’s historic centre and the Shah Abbas Complex, Downtown Ganja and Javad Khan Street, the largest park in the Caucasus The Heydar Aliyev Park, the Imamzadeh Complex, the Khan’s Park, the Mahsati Ganjavi Center, and the Ganja Gates, which houses the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, and more. The programme explores the wider region, travelling to the Goygol District and the scenic Goygol National Park, showcasing the natural richness that complements the city’s identity, and includes interviews with Medal of Progress recipient and Chairman of the Ganja Branch Of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Fuad Aliyev; Chief Advisor at Ganja City Executive Authority, Ms. Gülnar Rzayeva; and Deputy Chief of Biodiversity Conservation Services at the Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, Ms. Arzu Babayeva. An Original AnewZ Production: Written, Directed, Produced, Edited and Presented by Fred Naccache Cinematography by Zeynalabdin Hasanov & Avaz Hajiyev Drone Cinematography by Zeynalabdin Hasanov Additional Cinematography by Javid Aliyev Editing & Visual Effects by Ali Mammadov Sound by Zeynalabdin Hasanov & Avaz Hajiyev Production Logistics by Togrul Alizade With the invaluable contribution of Teodor Geonov With Special Thanks to The State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture 📲 Follow us on social media for real-time updates: 🌐 Web: https://anewz.tv/ ✖️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/anewz_tv 📷 Instagram:   / anewz.tv   📘 Facebook:   / anewztv   🎵 TikTok:   / anewztv   💼 LinkedIn:   / anewz   💬 Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!