In April 2007, during repair and excavation works at the Quba city stadium, a mass grave was discovered. It was determined that the human remains found in the grave belonged to the local peaceful population who were subjected to genocide by Armenian Dashnak-bandit groups in 1918. Shortly after, based on Decree No. 673 dated December 30, 2009, by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the “Genocide Memorial Complex” was built in Quba city with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation during the years 2012–2013. On September 18, 2013, the Genocide Memorial Complex was inaugurated with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev. Over the past 12 years, more than 1 million people, including over 200,000 foreign visitors, have visited the complex. The Genocide Memorial Complex is the only ideological center in our country that reflects Armenian vandalism. The main mission of the complex is to declare the Armenian atrocities as they were and to promote the truth about Azerbaijan both locally and internationally.
In connection with the 107th anniversary of the March 31 genocide committed against Azerbaijanis, a commemorative event was held at the Genocide Memorial Complex. The event was jointly organized by the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Executive Power of the Quba District, and the Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba city. The head of the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Sabina Hajiyeva, the head of Quba District Executive Power, Mr. Ilgar Mahmudov, heads of local institutions and enterprises, as well as the district public, participated in the event.
At the beginning of the event, participants visited the monument of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at the monument. Afterwards, they visited the memorial monument located within the territory of the Complex.
The participants, who became acquainted with the museum section of the complex, were introduced to the tapestry exhibition titled “Cry of the Angels”, consisting of works dedicated to the 1918 genocide of Azerbaijanis by honored artist Adil Shikhaliyev. Additionally, brochures prepared by the Quba District Executive Power in connection with the exhibition were presented to the visitors.
The participants also viewed certificates and diplomas reflecting the achievements and accomplishments of the Complex’s staff over the past year.
The commemorative event, which lasted until the evening, was attended by representatives and employees of central and local executive authorities, institutions, organizations, media representatives, students, youth, and tens of thousands of citizens.
It is worth noting that the mentioned exhibition will be on display at the Genocide Memorial Complex for a duration of two months.
During the visit, the cherished memory of fellow citizens who fell victim to the genocide was honored, and prayers were recited by religious leaders. Afterwards, visitors were provided with detailed information about the events.
Later, the guests viewed the exhibition titled “The Cry of Angels” by Honored Artist Adil Shikhaliev, which reflects the deep impact of the genocide. Information was also provided about the works displayed in the exhibition.
Mehriban Aliyeva, Deputy Director of the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex, provided information about the genocides and ethnic cleansing policies carried out by Armenian Dashnaks in the early 20th century on historical Azerbaijani lands. She emphasized that genocide is not only a crime against one nation but a crime against humanity.
Later, Ramil Isgandarli, Chairman of the Board of the National NGO Forum, highlighted the significance of such events and noted that Azerbaijan made its voice heard globally during the 44-day Patriotic War. Other speakers also shared their thoughts on the topic.
It should be noted that the event was attended by representatives of the National NGO Forum, families of martyrs, and staff of the Complex.
The event began with a moment of silence in honor of the heroic compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Opening the event, the Deputy Director of the Complex, Mehriban Aliyeva, provided detailed information about the activities of the Complex and the genocides that took place in 1918.
Speakers included Eyvaz Kheyrullayev, Coordinator of the Quba-Khachmaz regional branch of the Youth Development and Career Center; Ceyhun Farzaliyev, a specialist at the Khachmaz division of the same center; Matanat Mammadova, Chair of the Student Youth Organization of Quba State Socio-Economic College; and Sariya Abidova, an employee of the SREF department at the Genocide Memorial Complex. Each delivered speeches focused on the topic.
After a minute of silence in memory of our heroic compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, a documentary film depicting the genocides committed against Azerbaijanis was screened.
At the event, moderated by Latafat Beybutova, Head of the Scientific Research, Exhibition, and Fund Department of the Complex, the director of the Complex, Dr. Rakhshanda Bayramova, delivered a detailed speech about the genocides committed against Azerbaijanis in the early 20th century, as well as the activities of the Memorial Complex.
The speakers—including Garib Umudov and Maharram Hajiyev, chairmen of the Trade Union Committees of Culture Workers of Khachmaz and Quba districts respectively; Pakize Mehdiyeva, Director of the Khachmaz History and Local Lore Museum; Honored Journalist Azer Hasrat; and Deputy Director of the Complex Mehriban Aliyeva—emphasized the special role of the Genocide Memorial Complex in informing the international community about Armenian vandalism.
They noted that after Azerbaijan restored its independence, it became possible to reveal an objective picture of the nation’s historical past. Truths that had been concealed and forbidden for many years began to emerge one by one.
The decree “On the Genocide of Azerbaijanis,” signed on March 26, 1998, by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, gave a political and legal assessment to the acts of genocide and provided impetus for further research and intensified efforts to uncover the truth.
The event concluded with discussions on the topic
