The Ukrainian diaspora in Azerbaijan is the largest in the South Caucasus. According to the 2009 census, there are about 21,500 ethnic Ukrainians living in the country.
Ukrainians began migrating to Azerbaijan in the 19th century, due to the development of the oil industry in Baku. Over time, they integrated into Azerbaijani society while preserving their language, culture, and traditions.
Today, there are several Ukrainian non-governmental organizations operating in Azerbaijan that actively support cultural ties between the two nations.
With the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ukrainian Center was opened in Baku. Its activities are aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture, art, history, and traditions. The Center regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures, master classes, screenings of Ukrainian films, theatrical and musical evenings.
One of the main areas of work of the Ukrainian Center is educational activities. It is here that the Mriya School operates, where children learn the Ukrainian language, customs, and traditions, giving them the opportunity to connect with Ukrainian culture even far from their homeland. The center pays great attention to the education of Ukrainian youth, particularly in the context of national identity and cultural heritage.
The Ukrainian Center cooperates with leading Azerbaijani universities and actively promotes the establishment of partnerships between Ukrainian and Azerbaijani higher education institutions. This makes it possible to organize joint conferences, exchange programs, and other educational initiatives that strengthen scientific and cultural ties between the countries.
In addition, the center offers Ukrainian language courses for Azerbaijanis who wish to learn the language. The conversation club, which is held once a week and helps everyone improve their language skills in a relaxed atmosphere, is particularly popular. For Ukrainians living in Azerbaijan, there are Azerbaijani language courses, which facilitate integration into local society.
The Ukrainian Center is also a meeting place for the Ukrainian community, bringing Ukrainians together and promoting their social and cultural initiatives.
Another active public association is the Ukrainian Congress of Azerbaijan, headed by Yuriy Osadchenko.
Since 2012, the Congress has also been supporting Ukrainian culture, organizing conferences, charity events, exhibitions, and marathons, promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. In cooperation with local authorities and the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, the Congress promotes Ukrainian traditions. Its activities are also aimed at strengthening ties with the Azerbaijani diaspora in Ukraine.
The Ivan Franko Ukrainian Community is an active center of the Ukrainian diaspora, particularly in the city of Sumgait. Founded in 2017 by Tamila Musayeva, the community has about 150 members.
The main areas of work include promoting Ukrainian culture, organizing commemorative events, providing humanitarian aid to war victims, and conducting informational and educational activities. Sunday schools for children have become particularly important, allowing the younger generation to maintain ties with their homeland.
With the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the community focused on humanitarian aid, sending more than 50 tons of cargo to Ukraine. Coordination centers were set up in Baku and Sumgait to collect and distribute humanitarian aid.
The Union of Ukrainian Women in Azerbaijan, founded in 2022 as the Help Ukraine Baku volunteer fund, implements initiatives in support of Ukraine. Under the leadership of Lydia Aliyeva, the Union holds cultural events, festivals, master classes, and charity events. In 2024, the organization became part of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations.
One of the organization’s most notable initiatives was the establishment of the annual Ukrainian-Azerbaijani culture festival “Vesnyanka.” This event brings together two cultures through music, dance, art, and traditions, promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples. In addition, the union actively conducts cultural events, master classes, lectures, and charitable initiatives, creating a space for women’s self-expression and self-realization. With the support of the Union of Ukrainian Women in Azerbaijan, a presentation of Nadiya Kirey’s Ukrainian-language YouTube channel “Veseloped” was held, as well as two animated films – “The Fox and the Grapes” and “My First Carol.” The cartoons were created in collaboration with artists and activists of the Union, Lyudmila Kryvich and Irina Sagan, who made their creative contribution to these vibrant projects. After all, the development of Ukrainian content and animation is important for preserving cultural identity, popularizing traditions, and creating high-quality children’s media. In addition, Hanna Sarkarova’s authentic Ukrainian embroidery club will soon open, which will become a platform for the revival of ancient techniques, the transfer of knowledge, and the strengthening of cultural ties with national heritage.
The Ukrainian community in Azerbaijan clearly demonstrates how preserving national identity and cultural traditions contributes to the development of friendly relations between peoples. Ukrainians not only maintain ties with their homeland, but also actively enrich the cultural life of Azerbaijan, setting an example of unity and mutual respect.
Azerbaijan Baku
