Sadagat Ismayilova Foundation
The Ismayilov Foundation — an Azerbaijani cultural foundation in Tbilisi, Georgia — keeps alive the name of Sadagat Ismayilova (1960–2015), Azerbaijani journalist and BBC World Service producer, and stands beside the young Azerbaijani women of Georgia. Motto: “Yaşayırsansa, yarat…” — “If you live, create…”.
Why “Ismayilov Foundation”?
The Foundation carries the name of the Ismayilov family of journalists: Sadagat Ismayilova, one of the founders of the BBC Azerbaijani Service, and her brother Adalat Ismayilov, poet, publicist and journalist, who founded it in her memory. Its official site is ismayilov-foundation.org; in Azerbaijani it is Sədaqət İsmayılova Fondu, in Russian Фонд Садагат Исмаиловой, in Georgian სადაგათ ისმაილოვას ფონდი. People also search for it simply as the Sadagat Foundation, Sadagat Fondu, Ismayilova Foundation or Sadagat Ismayilova — all the same foundation.
An Azerbaijani foundation in Georgia — and in Azerbaijan
The Foundation is registered in Tbilisi and serves the Azerbaijani community of Georgia — Tbilisi, Marneuli and the Kvemo Kartli (Borchali) region, home to most of the country’s Azerbaijanis. Its events take place on both sides of the border: the memorial evening and the launch of sadagatismayilova.com were held in Baku in 2016, the award ceremonies in Tbilisi.
About the Foundation
The Sadagat Ismayilova Foundation was established in 2016 in Tbilisi, on the initiative of intellectuals, under the Union of Azerbaijani Journalists of Georgia (GAJB). Its chairman is the Honoured Journalist Nizami Mammadzade; its founder was the poet and journalist Adalat Ismayilov (1968–2026), Sadagat’s brother. The board has seven members.
The Foundation’s purpose is to honour women who stand out in promoting Azerbaijani culture, history and literature and in the integration of Azerbaijanis into Georgian society, and to inspire young people towards science, culture and journalism. It also funds exhibitions, memorial events and cultural projects.
The Sadagat Ismayilova Award
Every year on 28 November — Sadagat Ismayilova’s birthday — the Foundation presents diplomas and valuable gifts to the three most successful young Azerbaijani women of Georgia, chosen by a special commission, at the Museum of Azerbaijani Culture named after M.F. Akhundzade in Tbilisi. Candidates come from the whole country — Tbilisi as well as Marneuli and the Kvemo Kartli (Borchali) region.
First laureates (2017): Leyla Aliyeva (Tbilisi) — for the study and promotion of the Georgian–Azerbaijani cultural heritage; Nargiz Aliyeva (Tbilisi) — for promoting Azerbaijani culture in Georgia; Rana Nurmammadova (Marneuli, head of the Marneuli Youth Centre) — for her work on the integration of Azerbaijani youth into Georgian society.
Where the Foundation works: Tbilisi, Dmanisi, Marneuli, Kvemo Kartli, Baku
Headquartered in Tbilisi, where the award ceremonies are held, the Foundation works across every Azerbaijani-populated region of Georgia: Kvemo Kartli (Borchali) — Marneuli, Bolnisi, Gardabani and Dmanisi (Bashkechid), the Ismayilov family’s home town. Its memorial events and the launch of sadagatismayilova.com took place in Baku, Azerbaijan — a bridge between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Sadagat Ismayilova (1960–2015)
Born on 28 November 1960 in Tbilisi, the first child of the poet-journalist Madad Joshgun; her childhood and school years were spent in Dmanisi (Bashkechid). She graduated in journalism from Tbilisi State University (1977–1982) and studied Arabic simultaneous interpretation (1983–1985). From 1994 to 2011 she was one of the founders of the BBC Azerbaijani Service and a producer of the BBC World Service in London — from its first broadcast to its last. She spoke six languages, wrote poems and stories and made literary translations. Her radio archive lives at sadagatismayilova.com.
Founder — Adalat Ismayilov (1968–2026)
Poet, publicist and journalist; editor-in-chief of the journal Əqli mülkiyyət; winner of second place at the Russian Prize 2024 for the poem «Дальтоник» (Daltonik). His memorial site: adalatismayilov.com.
Contact
To support the Foundation, nominate a candidate for the award or share material for the archive, write to info@sadagatismayilova.com. Address: under the Union of Azerbaijani Journalists of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ismayilov Foundation?
The Ismayilov Foundation is the international name of the Sadagat Ismayilova Foundation (Sədaqət İsmayılova Fondu) — an Azerbaijani cultural and charitable foundation established in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2016 under the Union of Azerbaijani Journalists of Georgia. It keeps alive the name of the journalist and BBC producer Sadagat Ismayilova and honours the young Azerbaijani women of Georgia every year.
Is the Ismayilov Foundation in Azerbaijan or in Georgia?
Both. It is registered in Tbilisi, Georgia, and serves the Azerbaijani community of Georgia (Tbilisi, Marneuli, Kvemo Kartli / Borchali); its memorial events have also been held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
What does the Foundation do?
Every year on 28 November it awards diplomas and valuable gifts to the three most successful young Azerbaijani women of Georgia at the M.F. Akhundzade Museum of Azerbaijani Culture in Tbilisi; it also funds exhibitions, memorial events and cultural projects, and archives Sadagat Ismayilova’s BBC broadcasts.
Who founded the Ismayilov Foundation and who runs it?
It was founded by the poet and journalist Adalat Ismayilov (1968–2026), Sadagat’s brother, on the initiative of Azerbaijani intellectuals in Georgia. Its chairman is the Honoured Journalist Nizami Mammadzade; the board has seven members.
How can I contact the Foundation or nominate a candidate?
Write to info@sadagatismayilova.com. The Foundation is based under the Union of Azerbaijani Journalists of Georgia in Tbilisi.
