Even when you live far from your country, your homeland finds ways to remind you of it — in the aroma of home-cooked meals, in familiar melodies, in patterns glimpsed in an art gallery, or in a sentence spoken in your native tongue during a casual conversation.
I spent many years away from Azerbaijan, but I never truly felt in exile. Much of that time I lived in Türkiye — a country close to us in culture, language, and tradition. Working at the Turkish office of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) helped me maintain a strong bond with my homeland and eased the longing I felt for it.
At the time, I didn’t realize that my true life abroad was only just beginning. Everything changed when I married a man who was born and raised in Switzerland — a citizen of that country with Turkish roots. I moved to be with him — and that’s how my story, “Echoes of Homeland,” began.
When I first arrived in Switzerland, I brought only a few things with me — clothes, books, and my longing for home. But I also carried something far more important: my identity. My Azerbaijani identity — expressed through language, cuisine, customs, and culture — began to form a sense of home around me, even in unfamiliar surroundings.
Over time, I came to understand that being Azerbaijani in Switzerland meant laying festive tables with traditional dishes, brewing tea in a copper samovar gifted by my parents, dyeing eggs for Novruz, and teaching my son Azerbaijani poems and songs. It meant living, telling stories, representing — or simply being — even in silence.
Just knowing that somewhere in this land, a part of Azerbaijan is present brings joy in itself.
Living in Switzerland means navigating a world of multiple identities. And in this diversity, people naturally seek something of their own, something familiar. For me, it was pointing out SOCAR gas stations to my husband with the excitement of a child, or feeling a quiet pride when I said “I’m from Azerbaijan” and saw warm smiles in response. These may seem like small things, but they are moments when the inner voice of homesickness is both heard and comforted.
Last year, I attended the Azerbaijani Cultural Days in Bern. Artists in traditional costumes performed the works of Gara Garayev in front of a diverse audience of hundreds. The awe on the faces of the spectators still stays with me. That event reminded me once again: Azerbaijan is not just oil and gas — it is a rich civilization with the potential to be a cultural ambassador in Europe.
Culture is not only the history of a nation — it’s a bridge between nations. Over time, such connections become part of our shared identity, both individually and collectively. Sometimes, culture emerges through a mugham, a painting, a child’s song, the aroma of tandir bread, or even the topic of a student thesis.
Fortunately, the Azerbaijani community in Switzerland doesn’t just preserve a sense of belonging for those who live here — it also plays the role of people’s diplomacy between the two countries.
These are just a few examples. In reality, numerous events are held in Switzerland to promote Azerbaijani culture, strengthen bilateral ties, and foster mutual understanding. We who live here must take active roles in these efforts and represent our homeland with dignity.
Living in Zurich, I often reflect on what brings a neutral and balanced country like Switzerland closer to a dynamic and resource-rich country like Azerbaijan. The answer lies on three levels — diplomatic, economic, and human.
Diplomatically, Switzerland’s neutrality makes it a reliable platform for international dialogue, where Azerbaijan can deepen its engagement and visibility. Geneva is home to institutions like the UN, WHO, and the Red Cross — platforms through which Azerbaijan gains influence and access.
Economically, Switzerland’s banking and financial systems are among the most stable in the world. For Azerbaijan, this means access to asset management, investment opportunities, and financial cooperation.
And when it comes to people, the Azerbaijani diaspora — though small — is growing in both presence and impact. It has become a vital part of humanitarian diplomacy and initiates collaborative projects between our two countries.
The organization I represent, the Caspian-Alpine Society, together with other platforms, contributes to the development of Azerbaijani–Swiss relations in the cultural, economic, and political spheres.
One of the strongest pillars of this human bridge is undoubtedly students. Although exact statistics are lacking, the number of Azerbaijani students in Swiss universities is increasing every year. Renowned institutions like ETH Zurich offer important opportunities for young Azerbaijanis seeking quality education and personal development.
So why is Azerbaijan important to Switzerland?
Because it plays a vital role in the Southern Gas Corridor that supplies energy to Europe. Even though Switzerland is not directly connected to the pipeline, it supports countries that contribute to European energy security.
Moreover, Azerbaijan’s sectors — oil, gas, agriculture, tourism — offer attractive opportunities for Swiss investors.
Equally important, Switzerland seeks to contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Dialogue with Azerbaijan aligns with Switzerland’s vision of proactive peace diplomacy.
Beyond politics and economics, Azerbaijani culture, music, cuisine, and art enrich the cultural mosaic of Switzerland — especially in diverse cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne. That’s why a student club in Zurich, an exhibition in Bern, a conference in Geneva, or a cultural day in Basel is more than just an event. Each is a subtle but powerful bridge between the two nations.
Today, I see that Azerbaijan in Switzerland grows not only through those who live here, but also through those who carry it in their hearts. Cultural centers, think tanks, student associations, concerts, exhibitions, forums — all created for one purpose: to exist, to express, to share.
I’ve come to understand that my identity is shaped not only by where I was born, but also by where I live.
And I know that in every wind that blows from the Caucasus through the Alps, my voice must also be carried.
Here, in this new land, I’ve learned what it means to remain Azerbaijani — while also learning from Switzerland. I’ve realized how important it is to build bridges — between people, between past and future, between homeland and home.
The wider those bridges, the more people will cross them. And the more we share our story, the more lasting the traces of Azerbaijan will be — here, on Swiss soil.
