From the pen of historians - Doctor of Philosophy in History Güntekin Najafli.

 
“Iravan Castle was built on the highest hill on the banks of the Zangi River. The castle wall on the river side was weaker than the other walls. The remaining walls of the fortress consisted of double fences. The fortress wall, made of brick and stone, was weaker than the other walls. The walls of the fortress, made of brick and stone, were high and thick. The distance between the first fortress wall and the second wall was 15 or 20 fathoms. The trench between the walls was filled with water. There were 17 constellations in the castle. Of the 60 cannons installed on the walls of the Iravan fortress, only 20 were in good condition. Three mortars (short-barreled cannons) were also installed in the Iravan fortress. The garrison defending the fortress numbered 7,000 people.
Source: Iravan Fortress Heroic Fortress-s (17)

Exhibits of the complex

The Guba cemetery, discovered on April 1, 2007, during earthworks in the area, was a clear proof of Armenian brutality. The nails found in the skulls here indicate that those people were killed with special cruelty. These nails are preserved as visual evidence in a special corner in the complex’s museum.

Girdiman Castle

Most of the monuments located in Ismailli district belong to the history of Albania. One of these monuments is the 7th century Girdiman Castle. Girdiman Castle was built by the Albanian ruler Javanshir (642-681), who had great diplomatic and military skills. The location of the fortress in a strategically important position created the basis for the defenders to prevent the threat of attack by powerful states such as Arab, Sasanian, Khazar, Byzantine and preserve the independence of Albania. 93 historical and cultural monuments are protected in the territory of the reserve with an area of 80 hectares.

Horrifying days

 

“There are dead bodies everywhere, – burnt to ashes, dismembered and mutilated… The Taza Pir Mosque had been seriously damaged by heavy artillery… A patrol found about 600 captive Muslim women and children, released and saw them to the Muslim part of the city… People were infurated, these feelings gradually turned into a feeling of revenge that will not be easy to prevent…”
“Nash golos” newspaper, 24 March 1918, (4 April) № 59, Baku.

The team of "Genocide Memorial Complex" visited the Lankaran Museum of History and Geography in Guba. The employees of the complex were welcomed by the newly appointed director of the museum, Dr. Leyla khanum Majidova, by the order of the Minister of Culture Mr. Adil Karimli.

Giving detailed information about the Museum of Local History, Leyla Majidova noted that the foundation of the museum was laid by Mirza Agali Aliyev in 1934.
In the end, an agreement was reached to establish relations and hold joint events with the “Genocide Memorial Complex” and the Lankaran Museum of History and Geography in Guba.
Lankaran History and Country Studies Museum

Experience exchange project between reserve employees

A group of employees of the Complex was sent to the “Pir Huseyn Khanagahi” historical-architectural reserve in order to cooperate and exchange experience in the field of scientific activity of the employees of the “Pir Huseyn Khanagahi” historical-architectural reserve. The management of the complex and a group of employees of the “Scientific Research, Exposition and Foundation Department” first visited the historical-architectural reserve “Pir Huseyn Hanagahi” located in the village of Gubali Baloglan, Hajigabul district.Within the framework of the visit, training and seminars on various topics were organized in order to exchange experience between the employees of both reserves. Directors of the reserve, Maharram Muslimov and Dr. Rakhshanda Bayramova, gave detailed information about the work done within the framework of the 2023 “Year of Heydar Aliyev”. Within the framework of the seminars and trainings, the employees of both reserves held detailed discussions on the topics of “Scientific articles”, “Foreign relations”, “Publicity in the media”, “Works done on Internet platforms”.

November 22 is the professional holiday of justice workers.

The Regulations on the Ministry of Justice were first established by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918 and November 22 is celebrated as a professional holiday for justice workers. According to the Decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev dated November 11, 2000, this holiday is being celebrated again in all regions of the country.
On September 23, 2020, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on expanding electronic services in the field of state registration of civil status acts. The main goal of the decree is to expand the use of modern information and communication technologies in the field of state registration of civil status acts, as well as to improve activities in the field of registration of births and deaths, ensuring efficiency and accessibility. The justice authorities play an important role in protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens, improving legislation, and serving the state and people with honor.
 

 

During the 9th month of 2023, an online meeting was held on the works done by the "Pir Huseyn Hanaghahi" historical-architectural reserve, the Zagatala Historical-Cultural Reserve and the "Genocide Memorial Complex" in the city of Guba within the framework of the "Year of Heydar Aliyev".

At the meeting, first of all, a film about the life and activities of the founder of modern Azerbaijan, the national leader, made by the Genocide Memorial Complex within the framework of the Heydar Aliyev year, was watched. Later speaking, the director of the “Pir Huseyn Khanagahi” historical-architectural reserve, Maharram Muslimov, the director of the Zagatala state nature reserve, Anar Lachynov, and the director of the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in Guba, Dr. Rakhshenda Bayramova, said that in the 20th century, a new era had begun in the cultural life of our people, and that this era stating that it is related to the name of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, the works carried out in all 3 reserves within the framework of the “Heydar Aliyev” year of 2023 were noted and positive experiences were shared with other employees of the reserve.
In the end, the scientific workers of the reserves presented short extracts from the scientific articles they wrote about the genius leader Heydar Aliyev.

The book "Crimes against humanity (20th century)" by Subhan Talibly, specialist of "Genocide Memorial Complex", doctor of philosophy in history, docent in Guba city, was published in Arabic alphabet in Tabriz.

The book, which consists of 542 pages, was recommended for publication by the decision of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Oriental Studies. The scientific editor of the book is the director of the Caucasian Studies Institute of ANAS, corresponding member of ANAS, doctor of historical sciences, professor Musa Gasimli. The reviewers are Academician, Doctor of History, Professor Nargiz Akhundova, Department Head of the Institute of Caucasian Studies of ANAS, Doctor of History, Professor Gasim Hajiyev, Department Head of the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in History, Associate Professor Samad Bayramzade, doctor of philosophy in history, associate professor Jabi Bahramov. Chapter 1 of my monograph entitled “Massacres of 1905-1906 and the March Genocide of 1918” provides detailed information about the serious crimes against humanity of that period. Chapter 2 talks about the deportation of Azerbaijanis from their historical lands in 1948-1953, the unjustified land claims and occupation of territories by Armenians against Azerbaijan, and the treatment of Azerbaijani civilian and military prisoners by Armenia. Chapter 3 talks about “protests to Armenia’s baseless territorial claims and interference, and the tragedy of January 20, 1990 (the Neftchala and Lankaran tragedies of January 25, 1990). Chapter 4, called “Genocides in Karabakh”, describes the Agdaban genocide and the legal and political activities aimed at its recognition, the Garadaghli genocide, the genocide committed by Armenia against peaceful Azerbaijanis in Ballıgaya village of Goranboy district, the Malibayli, Lower and Yukhari Gushchular massacres Khojaly genocide which are serious crimes against humanity and civilization. The topic of the 5th chapter is the April battles and the Patriotic War. The 6th chapter, called “The policy of the state of Azerbaijan in conveying the truths of the genocide of Azerbaijanis to the world”, is dedicated to the policy of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with these tragedies, as well as the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in the city of Guba. The appendices at the end of the book contain documents, agreements, resolutions and decisions, declarations, maps and pictures.

"Great Mardakan Castle"

The Great Mardakan Castle is a castle with an ancient history in the Mardakan settlement of Baku. The castle was built in the middle of the 14th century by Akhsitan I, the son of Manuchohr III the Great, in the form of four corners. This fortress was built in honor of Akhsita I’s brilliant victory over the enemy. The castle was used as a shelter and guard post for feudal lords. The height of the castle is 22 meters, the thickness is 2.10 meters from the bottom, and 1.60 meters from the top. The inner yard is 700 square meters. From the inside, the castle is divided into 5 levels.  

November 12 is Constitution Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The first constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted through a national vote (referendum) held on November 12, 1995. The Basic Law of the State entered into force on November 27, 1995. The adoption of the constitution is one of the most important events in the history of our independence, and it is one of the great services of the great leader Heydar Aliyev to the statehood of Azerbaijan. This Constitution is a perfect and progressive document that regulates the process of independent state building, ensures democratic development, includes radical changes in the political, social, cultural, and economic spheres of society, and plays the role of a legal base for improving legislation.

On 01.11.2023, a scientific-practical conference on the topic "The role of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in conveying the truths of Azerbaijan to the world" was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Guba.

At the conference, deputies of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Vahid Ahmadov, Anatoliy Rafailov, Anar Iskenderov, academician Yagub Mahmudov, first deputy head of the Guba District Executive Power Tariyel Ibrahimov, leading researcher of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after academician Ziya Bunyadov of ANAS, doctor of historical sciences Solmaz Tohidi, Sabuhi Bashirov, an employee of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, director of the Genocide Memorial Complex, Rakhshanda Bayramova, doctor of philosophy in history, sector director of the Institute of Archeology, Ethnography and Anthropology of ANAS, doctor of philosophy in history Kahraman Agayev, historical sciences doctor, professor Shikar Gasimov and other officials participated.
The conference participants first visited the memorial monument erected in memory of the victims of 1918 in the “Genocide Memorial Complex” in Guba, laid flowers on it and planted 100 fruit trees of different types on the side of the complex on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the genius leader Heydar Aliyev.
Later, the participants of the conference arranged flower bouquets in front of the monument of the great leader in the Heydar Aliyev park and got acquainted with the exhibition organized in the Heydar Aliyev center of Guba district.
At the conference held in the assembly hall of the Heydar Aliyev Center, the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was first played, and then the spirit of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs who died for our land were remembered with a minute of reverent silence. Rakhshanda Bayramova, director of the Genocide Memorial Complex, Doctor of Philosophy in History, gave an introductory speech, welcomed the participants, gave a report on the 10-year activity of the Complex, and talked about the successes achieved so far. She also emphasized that the policy of genocide was carried out against our people by the aggressor Armenian nationalists for nearly two hundred years. In order to expel Azerbaijanis from their historical lands and to create a mythical “Greater Armenia” in these territories with the help of their foreign patrons, the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples have been regularly subjected to ideological and military aggression by Armenians for decades. Centuries-old history of our people has been grossly falsified, our cultural monuments and toponyms have been appropriated by Armenians. She also brought to the attention of the conference participants that for the first time these events were given legal and political evaluation by the national leader, wise politician Heydar Aliyev.
Later, other speakers spoke about the essence and historical roots of the genocide and deportation policy carried out by Armenians against the people of Azerbaijan for hundreds of years. It was reported that on March 26, 1998, in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Genocide of Azerbaijanis” signed by national leader Heydar Aliyev, adequate political assessment was given to those terrible events and March 31 was declared the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis. In this important document, which is a full and comprehensive political and legal assessment of the criminal acts of Armenian nationalists, the mass killings – genocides committed against Azerbaijanis were officially mentioned for the first time.
It should be noted that employees of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, reserve directors, district intellectuals, cultural workers and historians participated in the conference.