The III congress-festival "Return to Western Azerbaijan" is being held in Nakhchivan

On June 18, the III congress-festival "Return to Western Azerbaijan" started its work in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan with the joint organization of the authorized representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Nakhchivan State University and the West Azerbaijan Community.

The participants of the congress-festival first visited the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the center of Nakhchivan city. Bunches of flowers were arranged in front of the monument, and the memory of the Great Leader was honored.

The official opening ceremony of the "Return to Western Azerbaijan" festival-congress was held in Ordubad.

First, the dear memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs was commemorated with a minute's silence, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.

At the presentation of Nakhchivan State University, an artistic composition dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of Western Azerbaijan and a video depicting the I and II "Return to Western Azerbaijan" congress-festivals were shown.

Jeyhun Jalilov, authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, spoke and said that the topic of Western Azerbaijan is inseparably connected with the historical memory, national identity and spiritual heritage of the Azerbaijani people.

He emphasized that our National Leader, who has always paid great attention to this issue at the state level, has always kept in mind the fate of our compatriots deported from Western Azerbaijan, and has defined the protection of their rights as one of the important tasks. Today, that political course is successfully continued. With the wise policy and leadership of our Supreme Commander-in-Chief Muzaffar, the unity of the Azerbaijani people and the bravery of our heroic sons, the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the liberation of our lands from occupation and the provision of the full sovereignty of our country have opened a new stage in the history of our nation. These glorious victories demonstrated the strength of the Azerbaijani state, the will of our people and national unity to the whole world.

It is in the conditions of new realities that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Muzaffar Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev defined the issue of West Azerbaijan as one of the important directions of the national agenda. Researches conducted in this direction, published scientific works, collected archival materials, examples of folklore and examples of ethnographic heritage serve to strengthen not only the study of our past, but also the national memory of future generations. The authorized representative expressed confidence that the III Congress-Festival of Return to West Azerbaijan will be remembered with successful results in terms of studying our history, protecting our national and moral values, expanding scientific cooperation and strengthening the historical namesake of the young generation.

The Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Emin Amrullayev, in his speech pointed out that the subject of Western Azerbaijan has become one of the main topics in the educational and scientific fields of our country, and specially noted the role of the West Azerbaijani Community, as well as scientific institutions, especially the Nakhchivan State University in this direction. The minister emphasized that the issue of Western Azerbaijan has passed from an idea to the stage of strategic action. As a result of the purposeful policy of the head of the country, systematic organization, education and investigation measures are being carried out regarding the return to West Azerbaijan. Emin Amrullayev emphasized that the resources and educational materials prepared by the Ministry of Science and Education are open for public discussion, and called on the scientific community, higher education institutions and scientists to participate more actively in this process and make their contributions.

Ziyafat Askerov, Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis, thanked all the organizations that contributed to the organization of the congress-festival and said that the return of West Azerbaijanis to their homeland is one of the important priority directions of the foreign policy concept of our country. Our country is committed to the peace agenda and fulfills its obligations in this direction. One of the main goals of this process is the reunification of our compatriots from Western Azerbaijan to their native lands. In this regard, the concept of return to Western Azerbaijan is a priority issue that reflects the return of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who were expelled from their homeland in a dignified, safe and legal basis. In this sense, the approach presented by Azerbaijan is more humanitarian than political.

Ziyafat Asgarov emphasized that today there are opportunities for the formation of a new phase of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. From a legal point of view, there are still issues to be resolved. Elimination of territorial claims against Azerbaijan remains an important condition in the Constitution of Armenia. The Armenian leadership has declared that a referendum will be held in this direction. If this happens, new opportunities will arise for the development of political, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The main goal is to ensure long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus, to put an end to decades-long conflicts. Azerbaijan will continue its policy in accordance with the ongoing processes, guided by its national interests.

Rector of Nakhchivan State University Elbrus Isayev noted in his speech that the glorious victory we achieved in the Patriotic War was a celebration of our national self-awareness, our belief in historical justice and our will to statehood. This victory not only ensured the liberation of our occupied lands, but at the same time created new opportunities for solving many issues that live in the historical memory of our people on a broader level. It was after the victory that the idea of ​​returning to Western Azerbaijan became one of the main national ideas of Azerbaijani society. Therefore, we have gathered here today not just as participants of an event, but as bearers of a great idea that keeps our historical memory alive, protects our national identity and passes it on to future generations. Active participation of young people in this process is of great importance. Because it is the young generations who keep history alive, keep memory alive and carry it into the future. It is the common goal of each of us to raise them as citizens who are deeply aware of the history of national moral values ​​and loyal to the traditions of statehood.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Isa Habibbeyli wished success to the work of the conference and pointed out that the event dedicated to the topic of West Azerbaijan is of particular importance in Nakhchivan and Ordubad, one of the regions most affected by the bloody events of the early 20th century. He emphasized that, on the one hand, it plays an important role in objectively evaluating historical events and passing them on to future generations, and on the other hand, educating young people in the spirit of independent statehood, Azerbaijanism and patriotism. Isa Habibbeyli noted that the historic Victory won in the Second Karabakh War under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev created new political realities in the region and laid the foundation for a new stage in the direction of ensuring Azerbaijan's national interests. Advancing the concept defined on the basis of the idea of ​​"Return to Western Azerbaijan" also confirms that Azerbaijan is once again a supporter of peace and people living in dignified living conditions.

Chairman of the Board of the West Azerbaijan Community, Aziz Alakbarli, made a speech and emphasized that the only way to continue life in peace in the region is to come to terms with the new realities created by Azerbaijan. One of these realities is the recognition and provision of the right of return of 300,000 Azerbaijani refugees and their children who were expelled from their native places in the initial stage, the first stage of the Karabakh conflict and as part of this conflict. The initialing of the peace agreement to be concluded between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the signing of the joint declaration has increased the confidence that peace will finally come to the region. The only way to live together is to recognize and ensure the right of each person to return to the areas where they were born and raised.

Mahira Huseynova, a member of the Board of the West Azerbaijan Community, touched on the importance of the festival-congress in terms of enlightenment and memory renewal, and said that this prestigious event, which is carried out within the framework of the Concept of Return to West Azerbaijan, is of special importance with its essence and the messages it will convey. The venue of the event also has a symbolic meaning. Ancient Ordubad is a strategically important region located on the Zangezur Corridor.

This area is an important component of the transport line that will connect Nakhchivan with the main part of Azerbaijan, as well as the development prospects of the region. Mahira Huseynova confidently stated that in the near future, with the opening of the Zangezur corridor, this region will enter a new stage of development. The idea of ​​restoration of justice and "return to Western Azerbaijan" will give real results, our people will return to their historical homeland.

Ekrem Gürel, rector of Turkey's Iğdır University, noted that the mission of returning to West Azerbaijan is not only an expression of a geographical longing or a desire to return to the past, but a struggle for justice, historical truths and cultural heritage preserved for generations. After the Victory in Karabakh, the struggle of our compatriots who longed for their homeland to return peacefully and on legal grounds is a common and just struggle of the entire Turkic world. Noting that the congress-festival formed the academic foundations of the idea of ​​return in a wide range of fields from sociology to history, from law to international relations, the rector emphasized that Igdir University is ready for all kinds of academic cooperation and joint activities in the direction of conveying the culture, folklore and historical truths of Western Azerbaijan to the world.

Then the presentation of the "Western Azerbaijan" project of the Presidential Library of the Affairs Chair of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was followed.

A concert program reflecting the rich folklore, musical traditions and national-spiritual values ​​of Western Azerbaijan was organized for the event, which continued with the artistic part.

The artistic part was followed by a viewing of exhibitions dedicated to Western Azerbaijan. In the pavilions and stands established along the ancient quarters of Ordubad, our compatriots originally from West Azerbaijan and living in the autonomous republic demonstrated the traditions, culture, folklore examples and cuisine of their native land.

The expositions, which bring together traditional art examples with modern technologies, gave the participants an opportunity to get to know the past, culture and lifestyle of Western Azerbaijan.

Epics and examples of folk music performed by master ashigs who keep alive the ancient traditions of Azerbaijani ashig art were presented. Also, art examples reflecting the creativity of the outstanding artist Mirza Gadim Irevani were exhibited, and his contributions to Azerbaijani fine art were presented. The traditions, ancient ornaments and handicrafts of the West Azerbaijan school of carpet weaving were exhibited at the carpet exhibition.

Art exhibitions reflecting the history, nature, national and cultural values ​​of Western Azerbaijan, as well as historical monuments and material and cultural heritage of the region were also welcomed with interest.

The participants of the festival also saw book, magazine and newspaper exhibitions related to the flora and cuisine of West Azerbaijan, the history, culture and social life of our ancient homeland.

The congress-festival continues its work with plenary sessions and panel discussions in 8 directions dedicated to the historical, cultural heritage and national-spiritual values ​​of Western Azerbaijan.