Ambassador Cekuta Welcomes New U.S. Exchange Program Alumni

Baku/24.09.16/Turan: On September 23, 2016, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert F. Cekuta hosted a reception at his residence for more than 300 alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs. Taking part were a number of recently-returned alumni as well as existing alumni. They came together to celebrate another successful year of exchange programs supported by the U.S. Department of State and to welcome the new cohort of alumni to the US-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA) family.

Ambassador Cekuta, the Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer Caroline Savage, and its Cultural Affairs Officer Amy Petersen, joined AAA Chair Aliyar Huseynov in welcoming the alumni, announcing the 2016-2017 Alumni MAX winners, and honoring the active alumni who did so much in the past year.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by the American band Matuto, visiting Azerbaijan at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy. Matuto combines Brazilian forró and American bluegrass into an infectious rhythm that got all the guests engaged and moving. They have a number of free concerts scheduled over the next week throughout Azerbaijan – Sept. 24 at 17:00 at the Tourism Bazaar in Ismayilli; Sept. 25 at 18:00 at the Ganjlik Mall; Sept. 27 at 17:00 at the Baku American Center; Sept. 28at 17:00 at the State Drama Theatre in Mingachevir; and on Sept. 29 at 17:00 at the Ganjachay Park-Bulvar in Ganja.

There are almost 6,000 alumni of U.S.-government sponsored exchange programs in Azerbaijan, whose education in the United States has made them leading specialists in their fields and major contributors to the further development of Azerbaijan. Learn more about AAA by visiting their website: http://www.aaa.org.az/ --0--