I was honoured to attend the special evening “Qaranlıqdan Sonra” (“After the Darkness”), organised by Azerbaijan Children Public Union with the support of Regional Development Public Union.

It was meaningful to see respected guests such as Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Centre, and Bahar Muradova, Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, alongside representatives of public institutions and NGOs.

The authenticity of the children’s work and performances impressed me. Twenty-one handmade pieces, created from repurposed materials, reflected not only creativity but also responsibility and imagination. Watching the children stage fragments from Azerbaijani films and present dance performances was genuinely moving — their confidence on stage spoke louder than any formal speech.

The artistic part of the evening was enriched by the participation of People’s Artists Flora Karimova, Alim Gasimov, Afag Bashirghizi, and Honoured Artist Fargana Gasimova. Their presence alongside the children created a very sincere and powerful atmosphere.

The evening concluded with the anthem “Özgə uşağı olmur”, performed with the participation of Arzu Aliyeva — a simple but strong message that stayed with me.

For me, the most valuable aspect of the night was witnessing how creativity can rebuild confidence. When a child feels seen, supported, and believed in, real transformation begins — and that is something truly worth investing in.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Kamala Aghazadə for the invitation, Chair of the Azerbaijan Children’s Public Union and founder of the Child Shelter and Reintegration Centre. Your dedication to protecting, supporting, and empowering children is admirable and transformative. Thank you for creating spaces where hope is restored and futures are rebuilt.