The event began with a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Following this, the director of the Guba History and Ethnography Museum, Mehriban Aliyeva, emphasized that this victory marked a major turning point in Azerbaijan’s modern history. She noted that Victory Day reflects the national pride of the Azerbaijani people and will live on as a symbol of heroism for future generations. Mehriban Aliyeva, the deputy director of the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in Guba, also spoke at the event, underlining that the 44-day war restored historical justice for Azerbaijan. She highlighted the political and strategic advantages the country gained on the international stage as a result of this struggle for the homeland. Fidan Huseynova, the chair of the New Azerbaijan Party’s Guba district organization, remarked that the “Iron Fist” operation, which initiated the 44-day Second Karabakh War, liberated Azerbaijan’s occupied territories from enemy control. She emphasized that, thanks to the unparalleled bravery of our heroic soldiers and martyrs under the command of our victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the long-standing wound of Karabakh, once a mere dream and aspiration, has been healed. Family members of martyrs also spoke during the event, stating that with the liberation of Karabakh from occupation, Azerbaijan has become a key player in ensuring stability and peace in the region. They acknowledged the military and political outcomes of this victory, as well as the role of strong leadership in achieving this success. The event concluded with an exhibition held as part of the project “Our Cultural Heritage: Yesterday and Today.” The exhibition showcased monuments in Karabakh that were destroyed during the occupation and later restored after the Patriotic War. It highlighted the importance of restoring Karabakh’s historical heritage and stressed the necessity of preserving Azerbaijan’s cultural legacy.
