A SYMBOL OF PEACE FOR FIFA

December 2025 will enter history not only as the month when the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) awarded its inaugural Peace Prize, but also as a triumph of Azerbaijani art on the highest international stage. The event, occurring near the year's end, became a truly magnificent gift not only for the New Year but also for the upcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, traditionally celebrated on December 31. It embodies global recognition of national talent and craftsmanship, uniting compatriots in pride for their creators.

In Washington, D.C., during the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, as the world watched the first laureate—US President Donald Trump—the main attention of true connoisseurs was fixed on the award itself. This bronze statuette, embodying a fragile hope for global unity, turned out to be a work born in the workshops of Baku.

Dream and reality

The symbol of FIFA's new annual Peace Prize is a miniature replica of the monument "Thoughts and Dreams," whose history has already become part of the global diplomatic landscape.

The authors of this powerful and poignant image are People's Artists of Azerbaijan Salhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev. Their sculptural composition is a visual metaphor requiring no translation: two hands, tenderly and carefully supporting a fragmented globe. It speaks of the great, yet fragile, responsibility humanity bears for its common home. Every fissure on this globe is the trace of a conflict; every supporting hand is a sign of reconciliation and diplomacy.

As Salhab Mammadov noted, their sketch was selected through an international competition. The entire process, from conception to final casting and the manufacture of the accompanying medal, was carried out on Azerbaijani soil. This fact instils particular pride: the symbol of global reconciliation, presented at the planet's largest sporting event, was conceived and born in the capital of Azerbaijan. Local media proudly emphasised that the creation of this symbol became a form of "cultural export," elevating national craftsmanship to the international level and strengthening the country's image as a centre of art and dialogue. This statuette is not merely a trophy; it is a cultural bridge connecting Baku with the world's centres of decision-making.

Genesis of an idea: The sculpture's path to the UN

The international status of the "Thoughts and Dreams" monument was established long before FIFA's interest. The original four-metre sculpture was officially gifted by Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office in Geneva and installed in the famous Ariana Park on October 3, 2017. This gift marked the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership in the United Nations and became a significant contribution by the country to the shared collection of artworks and symbols located on the organisation's grounds.

It is noteworthy that among all post-Soviet countries, only the work of Azerbaijani masters is represented on the UN territory in Geneva. Seven years later, this sculpture, carrying within it a universal call for unity, was chosen once more—this time by the football community as a symbol of peace, speaking to its enduring relevance.

Dialogue in the language of culture

The story of the FIFA Peace Prize is but one facet of the extensive international presence of Azerbaijani art. Salhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev are not merely masters within their country, but active participants in cultural dialogue with the West. The works of Ali Ibadullayev, in particular, adorn urban landscapes abroad. For instance, his monument to the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi is installed in Italy's capital, Rome, becoming a symbol of cultural ties between peoples. Another of his deeply emotional works, dedicated to the tragedy of Khojaly, stands in Berlin, serving as a powerful memorial to historical memory and a call for humanism. Works by the creative duo can also be seen in France's Cognac and Poland's Gniezno. These sculptures, along with the active participation of Azerbaijani artists in international exhibitions such as the renowned "Fly to Baku" project, steadily affirm Azerbaijani art in a global context, proving that the creativity of masters from Baku is part of the world's cultural heritage. Thus, FIFA's recognition became just one link in the chain of international success for Azerbaijani creators, whose works are increasingly becoming signature elements in the planet's cultural space.