Talk by Professor Dr. Ambassador Hasan Hasanov, on Tradition of Novruz: Historical Perspective from Azerbaijan

Biography: Professor Dr. Ambassador Hasan Hasanov has held important political and government roles in Soviet and independent Azerbaijan. He was the head of a district of the capital city of Baku as well as the cities of Sumgayit and Ganja, followed by senior positions in science, education, and industry. In January 1990, Prof Hasanov took up the position of Prime Minister of Soviet Azerbaijan, becoming the last Prime Minister of Soviet Azerbaijan and the first Prime Minister of independent Azerbaijan. In 1992, he served as the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations (New York). Between 1993 and 1998, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He served as the Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Hungary and Poland between 2004 and 2021. Apart from his extensive political and government career, Prof Hasanov has been engaged in academic research and he is Dr. Hab in History. He has authored several historical monographs and academic studies such as "On the Road towards the First Republic of Azerbaijan" and "The Early Period of the Second Republic of Azerbaijan". He conducted a research study on "Maiden Tower" located in the ancient part of Baku, which was published under the patronage of UNESCO. His research revealed that Baku was first established as a complex of idol worship and eventually became a city. Prof Hasanov has also authored a series of publications on the theme of Novruz-Bayrami and Zoroastrianism. His research has been published in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia as well as in Hungary, Poland, Germany, and Italy.