There was one millionaire in Baku at the turn of XIX and XX centuries. His name was Zeynalabdin (not that famous Taghiyev, but another guy) and he was obsessed with one strange desire - to get decorated by the Czar himself. Every time when he read or heard that the Czar had decorated someone with imperial orders, he could have a heart attack. No joking.
Seeking a cure, he consulted some sages and was told that the imperial garrison in Baku is quartered in miserable conditions and it would be good idea to take care of soldiers - the Czar's sons. Thus, Mr Zeynalabdin took the best of his properties, renovated it and donated to the government for this purpose. The new premises were received with great pomp and ceremony and gratitude and soldiers happily moved in.
After some time, Zeynalabdin went to visit the Governor of Baku and asked with great caution - "did the Czar have something for me?"
"Oh, yes! The Czar sent you a big 'thank you!'" - was the reply. Or spasibo in Russian.
Thus, to distinguish him from the great Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, Bakuvians started to call him "Spasibo Zeynalabdin."
Why did I recall this story - you can ask? Because I read a peculiar piece of news these days - Azerbaijan has donated 1 million dollars to the Louvre Museum to support some exhibition. Not that I am a barbarian and enemy of the arts, but in a context of so many unsolved social problems in Azerbaijan, economic inequality, poverty and immense corruption, and most of all, human rights abuses and suppression of freedoms, what a benevolent act?
Not long ago, Azerbaijan also donated a solid amount to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg - again, I have nothing against interfaith dialogue, especially when a Muslim country donates money to a Christian temple, but excuse me, what about closed and demolished mosques back at home, at the same time?
Some sages say these days - with such benevolent acts Azerbaijan can repair and upgrade its reputation abroad. It has been damaged lately and the damage is immense. But people somehow tend to forget that the most of this damage is done by ourselves. Isn't it? Wouldn't it be wise to solve the problems that cause this damage - mainly, to fight corruption and poverty, stop suppressing freedoms and release political prisoners, among them the "Donkey bloggers" and not flush away money with a hope that "they will notice?"
If you ask me, without fundamental rethink of our domestic policies, all the aforementioned benevolent donations would earn Azerbaijan a big "Merci Beacoup!"
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