On 20 June  2018, the opening ceremony of "Nakhchivan - Capital of Islamic Culture -2018" was held in Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theater.

The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Mr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, minister of culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Abulfes Garayev, Algerian minister of culture Mr. Azzeddine Mihoubi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Guinea Sanosi Bantama Sou, Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Muhajir Afandi, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan Shamsaddin Shodibek, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyar Seyfullayev, Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture Dusen Kaseinov, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Akif Alizadeh and other guests visited the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at the monument and expressed the respect for the memory of the Great Leader.

Then the participants of the event visited Heydar Aliyev Museum and viewed exhibits related to the life, political and statehood activity of the genius person.

Before the event,  "My Nakhchivan" photo-exhibition of photographer Huseyn Baghirov  was viewed at the foyer of the theater. Photographs reflecting all the beauty, unique nature and modern development of Nakhchivan were met with interest.

Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Mr. Vasif Talibov presented Hachadag's photo to Mr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, General Director of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and Batabat's photo to Mr. Dusen Kaseinov, Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture.

The event started with the recitation of Holy Koran.

Then the film "Nakhchivan - Capital of Islamic Culture" presented by Nakhchivan State Television was watched.

Highly appreciating the significant days held in Nakhchivan city, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Chairman of the Organizing Committee established due to the declaration of Nakhchivan city as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018, Mr. Vasif Talibov welcomed the participants of the event and thanked to the guests for their attendance and intention of choosing Nakhchivan as the capital of Islamic culture and declared the opening of the event.

Then, The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Mr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and minister of culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee established due to the declaration of Nakhchivan city as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018 Mr. Abulfes Garayev had a floor.

At the end, the Nakhchivan State Philarmonic Society gave a concert.

Then an official dinner was organized in honor of the guests who came to Nakhchivan to attend the opening ceremony of "Nakhchivan the Capital of Islamic Culture - 2018" on behalf of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic at the "Araz" State Reception House.

After the dinner, the guests accompanied by the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly visited Nakhchivangala Historical-Architectural Museum Complex, the Tomb of Prophet Noah, Nakhchivan Business Center, Ashaby-Kahf Religious and Cultural Monument Complex, Duzdag Physiotherapy Center and the new mosque built in Nakhchivan.