Azerbaijan’s OIC Culture Festival 2025 Brings Global Creative Exchange, Strengthens Cultural Diplomacy, and Expands Tourism Opportunities in Baku

Published on December 6, 2025

The OIC Culture Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025 emerges as a landmark event marking a significant moment in Azerbaijan’s cultural diplomacy and global visibility. Set to take place from December 5 to 11, the festival is expected to welcome more than 5,000 visitors, attracting travellers, cultural enthusiasts, researchers, policymakers, and creative industry professionals from across nearly 50 countries. As Azerbaijan positions itself as a bridge between East and West, the festival stands as a powerful symbol of intercultural dialogue, creative cooperation, and the country’s increasing influence on the world’s cultural map.
Beyond its cultural value, the festival is expected to generate a considerable impact on travel and tourism, transforming Baku into a vibrant hub of global artistic exchange. The event’s scale, diversity, and international representation carry the potential not only to promote artistic unity but also to strengthen Azerbaijan’s growing reputation as an emerging travel destination in the region.

Historical Background and Significance of the Festival

Since 2019, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has organised cultural festivals across member states to encourage cross-border cooperation, promote Islamic values, support creative industries, and inspire collaborations rooted in peace and mutual respect. The 2025 edition in Azerbaijan marks the festival’s first appearance in the country, turning Baku into a focal point for cultural diplomacy.
The selection of Azerbaijan as host reflects the nation’s commitment to multiculturalism, tolerance, and dialogue—values central to the OIC mission. Over the years, Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a space where diverse cultural influences coexist. The festival highlights this evolving identity while emphasizing the nation’s strategic role in uniting communities across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Showcasing Azerbaijan’s Cultural Vision

Hosting the festival gives Azerbaijan a platform to present its long-standing traditions and modern creative energy. The country’s cultural policy emphasises openness, collaboration, and the development of shared knowledge across borders. Cultural administrators view this event as a chance to reinforce Azerbaijan’s image as an attractive destination for culture-driven travellers and creative professionals.
By bringing together over 300 official representatives from member states, including experts in culture, science, education, and creative industries, the festival promotes an environment where ideas, practices, and artistic methods can be exchanged freely. The event showcases the importance of cultural diplomacy in building bridges among nations, strengthening solidarity, and highlighting shared values.

Strengthening Intercultural Dialogue and Cooperation

A central theme of the festival revolves around expanding intercultural dialogue, advocating tolerance, and promoting respect for diversity. These values play a crucial role in shaping modern identities and fostering peace. Whether through panel discussions, interactive forums, exhibitions, or performances, participants will be encouraged to explore how cultural expression can be used to overcome global divisions.
The festival also emphasizes the role of creative industries, highlighting how film, fashion, technology, animation, gaming, and design can play key roles in shaping cultural futures. This approach introduces modern interpretations of Islamic values and cultural heritage, appealing to younger generations and creative entrepreneurs.

Major Events and Program Highlights

The festival program spans an extensive range of events designed to engage diverse audiences.

High-Level Ministerial Meetings

Cultural ministers from OIC member states will convene to discuss long-term strategies for cultural development, creative exchange, and global cooperation. These meetings reflect a shared commitment to strengthening cultural ties and establishing actionable frameworks for cross-border initiatives.

Cultural and Creative Industries Forum (MYFORUM)

This forum serves as a major platform for innovation. Experts will explore the potential of creative industries to transform economies and build sustainable work environments. The discussions will include issues such as cultural entrepreneurship, digital transformation, youth empowerment, and the future of global collaboration.

Creative Village – Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition (MYEXPO)

The exhibition will highlight achievements in arts, crafts, design, digital media, and cultural technologies. Visitors will have the chance to interact with creative professionals and discover new artistic perspectives from different OIC member countries.

Baku Cinema Breeze – 2025

Film lovers will find an immersive atmosphere at this international film showcase. The program includes screenings of movies produced across the Islamic world, with stories that highlight local identities, traditions, and innovative cinematic expressions.

Eastern Fashion Show

Designers from OIC countries will present their collections, merging traditional aesthetics with contemporary creativity. The show aims to introduce fresh interpretations of cultural attire and showcase fashion’s role in identity-building.

International Summit on Gaming Technologies (G-HUB)

This summit highlights the growing importance of gaming and digital media in the creative economy. Participants will discuss how gaming technologies can promote cultural exchange, innovative storytelling, and the global visibility of local narratives.

Performing Arts: Music, Dance, and Theater

Throughout the week, visitors will enjoy performances representing the cultural richness of OIC member states. These artistic events are expected to create memorable moments that deepen global appreciation of shared heritage.

Impact on Travel and Tourism in Azerbaijan

Boosting Visitor Arrivals

With over 5,000 visitors expected, the festival contributes directly to the tourism sector. Hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and local markets are likely to experience increased activity.

Branding Baku as a Cultural Capital

Events of this scale reinforce Baku’s reputation as a city where tradition meets modernity. Visitors will encounter a blend of historical architecture, contemporary art, and vibrant urban life. Such an environment attracts not only cultural tourists but also travellers seeking immersive, experience-driven trips.

Diversifying Tourism Beyond Leisure

The festival promotes cultural tourism, business tourism, and creative tourism, allowing Azerbaijan to diversify beyond its traditional attractions. This expansion supports long-term resilience in the tourism economy.

Encouraging Regional Travel Routes

The international nature of the festival may inspire new travel routes connecting Azerbaijan with nearby cultural destinations in Türkiye, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This regional connectivity strengthens both tourism and diplomatic cooperation.

Spotlight on Azerbaijan’s Heritage Sites

Visitors attending the festival are likely to extend their stay to explore the country’s landscapes—from the old city of Baku to the mountains, mud volcanoes, and Caspian Sea coastline. This enhances awareness of Azerbaijan’s lesser-known historical sites and cultural landmarks.

A New Perspective: The Festival as a Cultural Bridge in a Fragmented World

The OIC Culture Festival arrives at a time when the world is grappling with socio-political tensions, identity struggles, and cultural misunderstandings. Against this backdrop, the festival in Azerbaijan becomes more than a celebration—it becomes a bridge.
It invites nations to reflect on shared traditions and envision pathways toward cooperation rather than division. It positions culture as a powerful mediator in global conversations, reminding the world that heritage, art, and creativity can generate unity even in uncertain times.
The festival also encourages younger generations to see culture not merely as history but as a dynamic field capable of driving economic opportunities, technological innovation, and international engagement.

Creative Industries as a Pathway to Global Integration

By emphasizing creative industries, the festival aligns Azerbaijan with global economic trends. Modern creative sectors—film, gaming, design, fashion, digital art—represent some of the fastest-growing components of national economies.
Through MYFORUM, MYEXPO, and G-HUB, participants explore how these industries can contribute to sustainable development and global market integration. This positions Azerbaijan as a proactive supporter of knowledge exchange, innovation, and creative entrepreneurship within the Islamic world.

Solidarity Among OIC Member States

The presence of participants from around 50 countries symbolizes unity across diverse geographies, languages, and cultures. The festival upholds the concept of an interconnected OIC family that stands together around shared values of peace, creativity, and cooperation.
This solidarity extends beyond culture, supporting collaborations in fields such as education, tourism, economic development, and scientific innovation.

Promoting Islamic Values Through Contemporary Creativity

While the festival celebrates modern creative practices, it remains grounded in Islamic values of tolerance, respect, and peaceful coexistence. This combination of tradition and innovation serves as an important reminder of how cultural identity adapts over time while still remaining rooted in foundational principles.

Conclusion: Azerbaijan’s Evolving Global Role

The OIC Culture Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025 marks a defining moment in Azerbaijan’s cultural and tourism landscape. As thousands arrive to participate in exhibitions, screenings, performances, and discussions, Baku emerges as a thriving center of global creativity.
By linking cultural exchange with tourism development, the festival strengthens Azerbaijan’s identity as a destination where visitors can experience not only history but also innovation, diversity, and international solidarity. The event stands as an example of how culture can transform economies, shape global conversations, and bring nations together around shared aspirations.