The U.S. Embassy celebrates the opening of the Sheki American Corner

15 March, 16:17

The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan is pleased to open the Sheki American Corner, located at the
Sheki branch of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU) on March 15. Ambassador
Litzenberger attended the opening ceremony, delivering brief remarks about the importance of
the American Corner as the center of various educational and cultural opportunities for the local
community. Deputy Chiefs of the Sheki Executive Committee Orkhan Huseynli and Zarina
Javadova, and representatives of ASPU Vice Rector Eldar Aslanov and Advisor to the Rector
Umid Mehdiyev, and Rector of the Sheki branch of ASPU Rafiq Rasulov also attended the
opening. The Sheki American Corner will feature new equipment, technology, and materials, and
is now open for language learning and educational programming.
Ambassador Litzenberger said:
“American Corners and our people-to-people ties are the cornerstone of our relationship with
the citizens of Azerbaijan. And the work that we will do here – English language programs,
youth engagement, and jobs and skills training courses – make a real difference in people’s
lives.”
“The English language is a bridge to the world, to a richer life and to improved employment
prospects. As more of the world learns about your city’s natural beauty and incredible cultural
heritage, the number of visitors will grow. And by offering extracurricular English-language
training to Sheki’s youth, we will be helping more local people to benefit from – and drive – the
expansion of the local tourism economy.”
During his trip to Sheki, Ambassador Litzenberger also met with alumni of U.S. government
exchange programs to learn how their experience in the U.S. has helped them in their careers,
and what they are doing to give back to the American Corner and their community in Sheki.

The American Spaces Program, which includes a flagship Baku American Center at the
Azerbaijan University of Languages and regional American Corners in Ganja, Kurdemir, Salyan
and Khachmaz, now in Sheki and soon in Lankaran, is an excellent resource for Azerbaijanis
looking to improve their English, access information about the United States, learn more about
educational or exchange opportunities, or participate in innovative high-tech projects. The
Corners offer lectures, conversation clubs, and a variety of other activities, as well as capacity
building professional programs for everyone in the community.