Establishing the history, engraving the name on its golden page doesn’t belong to every nation. In the beginning of last century Azerbaijani people attained this success. On May 26, the event on 28 May-Republic Day and 99th anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held in Sumgayit State University. The event commenced by playing state anthem. The rector of the university Professor Elkhan Huseynov widely spoke about the establishment and achievements gained during 23 months of activity of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. He notified that, being considered as a glorious page of history, logical conclusion of national struggle for independence, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic is one of the memorable phases of our national statehood history. Besides that, it is the first parliamentary republic in Turkish and Islamic world and an example of first democratic, juridical and secular state. Division of Azerbaijan into 2 parts and even stipulating of loss of statehood by treaty of Gulistan 1813, treaty of Turkmenchay 1828 didn’t stop our nation’s struggle for independence; in defiance they began to struggle with new ways and methods. 90 years of tussle continuing from 1828 to 1918 gave its result with establishment of democratic state on May 28, 1918. During these years significant works were done to involve the population in education and enlighten them, as well as Azerbaijan gained success in the field of foreign policy. After collapse of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, our nation didn’t recede even a step from the purpose of national struggle for freedom, despite the establishment of Soviet power in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani people had lived for 70 years in Soviet Socialist system, only in 1991 restored the independence for the second time by demonstrating great volition and high public consciousness and thousands of martyrs. Certainly, great leader Heydar Aliyev had important works in preserving the independence gained for the second time, reinforcement and recognition of the country globally. Strong will, prescient policy and other significant features rescued Azerbaijan statehood from the danger of destruction and so, new development phase of statehood commenced, our freedom became eternal and forever. Nowadays, under the leadership of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan Republic lives independently. By following his policy, we also ought to preserve our republic and state independence.
Afterwards, the following persons made the speeches accordingly: Nofal Abdullayev, senior lecturer of the department of History and its teaching methods-“Azerbaijan Democratic Republic’s place in history”; Bahram Mammadli, Associate professor of the department of Azerbaijan and East European nations’ history-“Foreign policy of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic”; Aytakin Mammadova, Associate professor head of Pedagogy and psychology department –“The activity of ADR in the field of education and culture”; Parviz Jafarov, the teacher of the department of Azerbaijani history-“The struggle of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic against Armenian dashnaks”. They widely spoke about historical and political aspects of establishment of first democratic republic of Muslim East in Azerbaijan, as well as hard and honorable way and the reasons of republic’s collapse. They notified that, despite a short life of 23 months, there was success in education, health, economics and in other fields. Azerbaijan Republic, being the political successor of ADR is developing rapidly and integrating into international community. Restoration and preservation of our independence associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev. Celebration of the anniversary solemnly is the sign of respectful approach of President Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the past, present and future of our nation.

Press Service