17 December 2010

Press-Release 

On the occasion of the establishment of the Nobel International Fraternity Fund, which was initiated by the great grandson of Ludwig Nobel Philip Nobel to support science and education in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr.Togrul Bagirov the Chairman of Baku Nobel Heritage Fund and Mr.Philip Nobel hosted a gala reception and dinner at Villa Petrolea. The former U.S. Congressman, Honorable W.Curtis Weldon, the Chairman of Nobel Charitable Trust – Gustaf Nobel, the trustee of NIFF Carl Lindgren, Azerbaijan MPs, Ambassadors and other VIP`s were among the guests. At the presentation of NIFF which was held at Nobel conference hall Philip introduced the goals and objectives of his Fund, as well as presented a unique project “Azerbaijan and the Caspian region”

He said:

«It is with great pleasure that today I announce the establishment of the Nobel International Fraternity Fund.
It is not a coincidence that Baku has been chosen to host this inauguration, considering the ties that link the Nobel Family to Azerbaijan.
The location is not only the cradle of civilization, but is also known to have provided the most essential factor of the industrial age; namely oil. Azerbaijan became, as we all know, the first major supplier of oil in the 19th century.
The Nobel Family was fortunate to take part of the original oil production in Azerbaijan, and the Nobel Family has ever since been linked to Azerbaijan. The time has now come to further develop this once established relation. The Nobel International Fraternity Fund is now being created with the purpose to award academical feats in Azerbaijan and the Caspian region, and also to encourage academical, cultural and industrial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sweden.

Another glad news which was celebrated at the gala reception was that the Chairman of the Baku Nobel Heritage Fund Dr. Togrul Bagirov was awarded by the “Royal Polar Star” Order of the Kingdom of Sweden. The Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim. The Order of the Polar Star was until 1975 intended as a reward for Swedish and foreign "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions". After the reorganization of the orders in 1975 this order is only awarded to foreigners and members of the royal family. It is often awarded to foreign office holders (such as Prime and Senior Ministers) during Swedish state visits.
On December 10,2010 Dr.Togrul Bagirov was honored with this high award for the restoration and preservation of historic heritage of Nobel Brothers in Azerbaijan, in particular the Nobel- residence in Baku -the famous "Villa Petrolea" where Nobel brothers’ museum, Nobel conference center and Baku Nobel Oil Club found home. On behalf of the King of Sweden the Chief of Royal Protocol – Mrs. Caroline Vicini presented the award to Dr.Bagirov. The ceremony took place in Foreign Ministry the same day when the Nobel Prize giving ceremony was held in Stockholm.