In 1995, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared April 23rd as World Book and Copyright Day. This decision was made to honor authors and books worldwide, as well as to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
A group of teachers and students from the Azerbaijan National Aviation Academy also visited the Genocide Memorial Complex. They were provided with information about the 1918 massacres, as well as maps and information booklets prepared by the Complex regarding the historical sites and monuments in the Guba region where the massacres occurred, in connection with the International Day for Monuments and Historical Sites on April 18. Additionally, books and brochures related to the massacres were presented to them
The Darkand Dome, situated in Darkand village of Ordubad region, stands out for its composition and decorative elements. Constructed primarily of bricks, the middle portion takes the form of constellation tombs, while the upper section is capped with a dome. Dark purple ceramics and plain baked brick patterns adorn the tomb, serving as its sole decorative elements. Lacking any inscription, determining the exact date of the tomb proves challenging. However, the composition’s structure and the color of the ceramic embellishments suggest that the monument was likely built later than the Karabakh and Barda tombs. Based on this assessment, it is plausible to conclude that the Darkand tomb was erected at the end of the 14th century or the beginning of the 15th century.
The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Turkey, Ege University, the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in the city of Guba, the “Zəfər” Public Association for Support to Martyrs’ Families, and the Azerbaijan Association in Izmir jointly organized a conference titled “The Armenian Issue and Genocides and Deportations against Azerbaijanis in the 20th Century” at Ege University in Izmir on April 15th. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of genocide and the playing of the national anthems of both countries. Speaking at the opening of the event, Sevinc Orucova, President of the “Victory” Public Association for Support to Martyrs’ Families, Pərviz Altay, President of the Azerbaijan Association in Izmir (İZAZDER), Nəcibə Nəsibova, Education Advisor to the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ersan, Vice Rector of Ege University, emphasized that the main purpose of this event was to inform the Turkish public in detail about the genocides committed against the Azerbaijani people and to convey the truths of Azerbaijan to the youth of Turkey. After the opening remarks, panel discussions commenced. The moderator of the conference, Prof. Dr. Vefa Kurban, Director of the Turkish World Social, Economic, and Political Relations Department of Ege University’s Turkish World Research Institute, provided information about the historical migration of Armenians to Azerbaijani territories. Following this, Prof. Dr. Nuri Karakaş, Director of the Atatürk Principles and Revolution History Application and Research Center at Ege University, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the “Armenian Issue.” During her speech on the topic of “The Policy of the Azerbaijani State in Conveying Genocides against Azerbaijanis to the World,” Rəxşəndə Bayramova, Director of the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in the city of Guba and a Doctor of Philosophy in History, noted that for the first time, political and legal assessments of genocides and deportations against Azerbaijanis were provided in decrees and orders signed by the national leader Heydar Aliyev. In the city of Guba, the specialist of the “Genocide Memorial Complex,” Associate Professor Sübhan Talıblı, who holds a doctorate in history and is an associate professor, presented his scientific discourse on “Genocides against Azerbaijanis in the 20th Century,” based on historical facts, documents, periodicals, Azerbaijani and foreign language sources. The conference was well received by local communities and university students. At the end of the conference, participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with an exhibition featuring books and photographs reflecting the genocide events against Azerbaijanis.
