Posted on

The Contract of the Century - September 20, 1994

After Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991, it embarked on the path of development in various sectors. However, the efficient exploitation of the country’s greatest natural resource, oil, and its export to foreign markets required serious attention. At that time, Azerbaijan’s economy was still in a difficult situation after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and it was impossible to overcome this situation without foreign investments.
Thanks to the political foresight and diplomatic skills of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, on September 20, 1994, a contract was signed in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, involving eight countries and 13 of the most prominent oil companies for the joint development of the rich Azeri, Chirag, and Gunashli oil fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. He described this document, called the “Contract of the Century,” as “a historical agreement that strengthens Azerbaijan’s independence and is aimed at the future.”
The “Contract of the Century” not only brought wealth and development to Azerbaijan but also secured long-term stability and a strategic position, defining the role the country would play in global energy politics in the 21st century.
Posted on

Gobustan Rock Art

The Gobustan area is located approximately 60 kilometers from the city of Baku. In the Büyükdağ, Kiçikdağ, and Cingirdag massifs here, rock engravings that have been preserved for millennia have been discovered. The Gobustan rock art is one of the brightest examples of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people.
The Gobustan rock engravings date back to various periods, ranging from the 5th to the 8th millennium BCE to the Middle Ages. Since 1939, under the leadership of scientist Ishaq Jafarzadeh, along with C. Rustamov, F. Muradova, and other archaeologists, the first archaeological studies of the Gobustan petroglyphs began. As a result of the archaeological excavations conducted since that time, over 7,000 rock engravings, as well as ancient settlements, caves, up to 40 mounds, artifacts from the Mesolithic period, and more than 100,000 items of material culture, have been discovered.
The Gobustan rock art, which attracts significant interest, is a unique monument reflecting the lifestyle, worldview, and cultural development of humanity thousands of years ago. These engravings, mainly depicting hunting scenes, various animal figures, humans, dance scenes, religious rituals, and ship representations, reveal that the ancient inhabitants of Gobustan engaged in hunting, animal husbandry, and fishing, while also engraving their customs and traditions on stones. The depiction of dancing men and women shows that they celebrated together during festivals and ceremonies. The ship engravings prove that ancient people used the Caspian Sea for travel and fishing. Some of the engravings even depict cosmic symbols such as the sun and the moon. Additionally, an ancient Latin inscription from the late 1st century CE was found on a stone here, which indicates that Gobustan was located along the routes of various civilizations.
As a result, the Gobustan rock engravings are a rare example of our people’s ancient historical memory, cultural heritage, and artistic thought. These monuments are an invaluable treasure for us to better understand our past and pass it on to future generations, serving as a living museum that proves to the world how ancient and rich Azerbaijan’s roots are.
In 2007, the Gobustan rock art was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which marks the international recognition of Azerbaijan’s ancient history. Currently, the Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Reserve attracts not only Azerbaijani citizens but also tourists from various countries around the world.
Posted on

12 years have passed since the establishment of the Genocide Memorial Complex in the city of Quba.

On April 1, 2007, during construction work on the grounds of the Quba city stadium, a mass grave was discovered. Starting from July of the same year, archaeological research began on the site — covering an area of 514 square meters — conducted by specialists from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. As a result of the excavations, two wells and two canals filled with human remains were uncovered. In September 2008, the research was completed, and it was determined that the mass grave was directly connected to the 1918 genocide perpetrated by Armenian armed groups against the local civilian population. On December 30, 2009, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba. With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the memorial was built on the left bank of the Gudyalchay River and was officially inaugurated on September 18, 2013. The opening ceremony was attended by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The 3.5-hectare complex consists of five sections:

  1. Memorial Monument
  2. Symbolic Cemetery
  3. Genocide Museum
  4. Flag Square
  5. Information Center

It is worth noting that since its opening, the Genocide Memorial Complex has been visited by over 1 million people, including more than 200,000 foreign visitors. Detailed information is provided to both local and international guests in four languages: Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and Arabic.

Posted on

Sheki Khan's Palace

Sheki Khan’s Palace
Sheki Khan’s Palace is one of the architectural gems of Azerbaijan. The palace was built in 1762 by Sheki Khan Hussein Khan Mushtaq. The historic building is located within the fortress walls of the Upper Bash architectural complex in Sheki city. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Azerbaijani architecture and was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2019.
The palace building, which also reflects the characteristics of traditional residential buildings, is one of the finest examples of 18th-century palace architecture in the Caucasus and is considered one of the masterpieces of Islamic Eastern architecture.
The main façade of the building features unique lattice windows and doors, divided into the finest geometric shapes in the world, with colored glass placed between wooden parts.
Sheki Khan’s Palace is not only an architectural monument but also a brilliant example of the Azerbaijani people’s art, architecture, and cultural heritage. Its preservation and transfer to future generations is of great importance.
Posted on

Azərbaycanlıların soyqırımı haqqında AZƏRBAYCAN RESPUBLİKASI PREZİDENTİNİN FƏRMANI

Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyəti yarandıqdan sonra 1918-ci ilin mart hadisələrinə xüsusi diqqət yetirilmişdir. Nazirlər Şurası 1918-ci il iyulun 15-də bu faciənin tədqiqi məqsədi ilə Fövqəladə İstintaq Komissiyasının yaradılması haqqında qərar qəbul etdi. Komissiya mart soyqırımını, ilkin mərhələdə Şamaxıdakı vəhşilikləri, İrəvan quberniyası ərazisində ermənilərin törətdikləri ağır cinayətləri araşdırdı. Dünya ictimaiyyətinə bu həqiqətləri çatdırmaq üçün Xarici İşlər Nazirliyi nəzdində xüsusi qurum yaradıldı. 1919 və 1920-ci ilin mart ayının 31-i iki dəfə Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyəti tərəfindən ümummilli matəm günü kimi qeyd edilmişdir. Əslində bu, azərbaycanlılara qarşı yürüdülən soyqırımı və bir əsrdən artıq davam edən torpaqlarımızın işğalı proseslərinə tarixdə ilk dəfə siyasi qiymət vermək cəhdi idi. Lakin Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyətinin süqutu bu işin başa çatmasına imkan vermədi.
1988-ci ildən ortaya atılan qondarma Dağlıq Qarabağ konfliktinin ilkin mərhələsində yüz minlərlə azərbaycanlının öz tarixi torpaqlarından qovulmasına da respublikada düzgün siyasi qiymət verilmədi. Azərbaycanın Dağlıq Qarabağ Muxtar Vilayətinin Ermənistan SSR-in tərkibinə daxil edilməsi haqqında ermənilərin qeyri-konstitusion qərarını və Moskvanın əslində bu vilayəti Xüsusi İdarəetmə Komitəsi vasitəsi ilə Azərbaycanın tabeliyindən çıxarmasını xalqımız ciddi narazılıqla qarşıladı və mühüm siyasi aksiyalara əl atmaq məcburiyyəti qarşısında qaldı. Respublikada keçirilən mitinqlər zamanı torpaqlarımızın işğalı siyasəti qətiyyətlə pislənsə də, Azərbaycan rəhbərliyi öz passiv mövqeyindən əl çəkmədi. Məhz elə bunun nəticəsi olaraq, 1990-cı ilin yanvar ayında getdikcə güclənən xalq hərəkatını boğmaq məqsədi ilə Bakıya qoşunlar yeridildi, yüzlərlə azərbaycanlı məhv və şikəst edildi, yaralandı, digər fiziki təzyiqlərə məruz qoyuldu.
1992-ci ilin fevralında ermənilər Xocalı şəhərinin əhalisinə misli görünməyən divan tutdu. Tariximizə Xocalı soyqırımı kimi həkk olunan bu qanlı faciə minlərlə azərbaycanlının məhv edilməsi, əsir alınması, şəhərin yerlə yeksan edilməsi ilə qurtardı.
Millətçi-separatçı ermənilərin Dağlıq Qarabağda başladığı avantürist hərəkətin nəticəsi olaraq bu gün bir milyondan artıq soydaşımız erməni qəsbkarları tərəfindən öz doğma yurd-yuvalarından didərgin salınmış, çadırlarda yaşamağa məhkum edilmişdir. Ərazimizin 20 faizinin erməni silahlı qüvvələri tərəfindən işğalı zamanı minlərlə vətəndaşımız şəhid olmuş, xəsarət almışdır.
Azərbaycanın XIX—XX əsrlərdə baş verən bütün faciələri torpaqlarının zəbti ilə müşayiət olunaraq, ermənilərin azərbaycanlılara qarşı düşünülmüş, planlı surətdə həyata keçirdiyi soyqırımı siyasətinin ayrı-ayrı mərhələlərini təşkil etmişdir. Bu hadisələrin yalnız birinə — 1918-ci il mart qırğınına siyasi qiymət vermək cəhdi göstərilmişdir. Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyətinin varisi kimi Azərbaycan Respublikası bu gün onun axıra qədər həyata keçirə bilmədiyi qərarların məntiqi davamı olaraq soyqırım hadisələrinə siyasi qiymət vermək borcunu tarixin hökmü kimi qəbul edir.
Azərbaycan xalqına qarşı törədilmiş bütün soyqırım faciələrini qeyd etmək məqsədi ilə qərara alıram:
1. 31 mart Azərbaycanlıların Soyqırımı Günü elan edilsin.
2. Azərbaycan Respublikasının Milli Məclisinə tövsiyə olunsun ki, azərbaycanlıların soyqırımı ilə bağlı hadisələrə həsr olunmuş xüsusi sessiyanın keçirilməsi məsələsinə baxsın.
Azərbaycan Respublikasının Prezidenti HEYDƏR ƏLİYEV
Bakı şəhəri, 26 mart 1998-ci il
№ 690
Posted on

Representative of Azerbaijan’s Cultural Heritage: The Yalli Dance

Yalli is one of the oldest and most famous types of Azerbaijani folk dances. This dance embodies collective activity and symbolizes solidarity, joy, unity, and life energy. During the dance, participants join hands or place their hands on each other’s shoulders and move in a circle. Yalli begins in a solemn manner and then gradually accelerates, becoming fast and energetic. The movements and the music accompany one another, making the dance unique both emotionally and rhythmically. Yalli is also a ceremonial dance that dates back to ancient times and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2018.
The word “Yalli” can be translated as “row” or “chain.” This dance is also known by other names such as “halay” and “jelman.” The word “Yalli” is derived from the Mongolian and Manchu words “halah” and “hele,” which mean “to relax” and “to set free.” This etymology reflects the collective and liberating nature of the dance.
The Yalli dance is rooted in the ancient ceremonial dances of Turkic and Altai peoples. It is a game that reflects the rhythm, energy, and cycle of life. Rock carvings discovered in regions such as Gobustan and Ordubad contain depictions of this dance. Historically, Yalli dates back to pre-Christian times, deeply connected with the energy of life.
Yalli has also been incorporated into many works by Azerbaijani composers. For example, motifs of Yalli are widely used in Uzeyir Hajibeyov’s opera “Koroglu” and Muslim Magomayev’s opera “Nargiz.” These works demonstrate the artistic and emotional power of Yalli and highlight its influence on national musical culture.
Posted on

Kharibulbul – The Symbol of Karabakh

Azerbaijan’s nature and culture are inseparable from each other. Like our mountains, rivers, and forests, our flowers have also left a mark in the memory of our people. The Kharibulbul flower, which grows in the mountains of Karabakh, is not just a flower but also a symbol of our people’s cultural heritage, love, and longing for their homeland. This rare flower has been a symbol of Shusha and Karabakh for centuries, occupying a special place in both poetry and music, as well as in the collective memory of the people. In Azerbaijan’s folk songs and the poems of poets, this flower is glorified as a symbol of longing and beauty.
Kharibulbul is a very rare flower that grows in the mountainous regions of Karabakh. Its petals are shaped in such a way that it appears as if a bird has spread its wings to kiss. For this reason, the flower has been accepted in the folk culture as a symbol of love and loyalty.
There are many legends about Kharibulbul among the people. One of them says that this flower emerged from the pure love between a prince and a poor girl. The tears of the lovers, who were doomed to separation, fell onto the land of Karabakh, and the Kharibulbul flower bloomed in that spot. Therefore, this flower is considered a symbol of pure love and patriotism.
For many years, the lands of Karabakh remained under occupation, and our people could only see Kharibulbul in pictures and memories. It symbolized the longing for the lost homeland. However, in 2020, Karabakh was liberated, and Kharibulbul blossomed once again in its homeland. It now lives in our history as a symbol of love, loyalty, homeland longing, and the rebirth brought by the joy of freedom. Today, the “Kharibulbul Music Festival” held in Shusha showcases not only the liberation of Karabakh but also the revival of this flower to the world. Kharibulbul, together with Karabakh, embodies our freedom, pride, and national heritage.
Posted on

Maiden Tower

One of the oldest and most mysterious monuments of Baku, the Maiden Tower holds significant importance both historically and architecturally. Standing 28 meters tall, the tower is located in the southeastern part of the Inner City (the ancient fortress walls of Baku). The construction of the Maiden Tower is believed to date back to the 12th century. This is largely based on the Kufic inscription on the stone found on the tower. The inscription mentions “Masud ibn Davud’s dome.” However, it is also suggested that the stone was added to the wall later. Its placement seems accidental—it’s not on the main entrance but rather on the side of the wall, approximately 14 meters above ground level. Researchers believe that the stone was originally a tombstone, which was later used to block one of the tower’s windows during renovation, or it could have been placed on the wall as the name of the master involved in the restoration.
Another theory suggests that the Maiden Tower dates back to much earlier times, possibly the Zoroastrian era. In this context, the monument is considered a Zoroastrian temple or a fire-worshipping shrine. According to research, the tower could have been built in the 8th–7th centuries BCE under the influence of the towered temples of Caspian and Media regions, possibly along the Caspian Sea coast, in the ancient fire city known as “Ateşi Baquan.” A different group of scholars, comparing the architectural features of the Maiden Tower to the Chiragqala and Gilgilchay defense systems, claims that it could belong to the 5th–6th centuries. According to this view, the tower might have been part of the defensive system in the Caucasian Albania region during the Sassanid Empire period.
Over the centuries, the Maiden Tower has been damaged by various wars and destruction but has been restored multiple times. In the medieval period, it played an important role in the defense of the city, together with the walls of the Baku Fortress. The building was significantly restored by Russian military forces in the mid-19th century and again in the 1960s.
Since 1964, the Maiden Tower has been functioning as a museum, and in 2000, it was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This monument is also one of the symbols of Azerbaijan and has been depicted on national currency notes during various periods.
Posted on

Atəşkəs imzası

 

1994-cü ilin mayında imzalanmış Bişkek protokolu Azərbaycan tarixində dönüş nöqtəsi oldu. Bu sənəd Heydər Əliyevin diplomatik uğuru idi və dövlətin möhkəmlənməsi üçün vaxt qazandırdı.
1988-ci ildən başlayan Qarabağ münaqişəsi 1992–1994-cü illərdə ən qanlı mərhələsinə çatmışdı. Azərbaycan gənc müstəqil dövlət kimi böyük sınaqlarla üz-üzə qaldı. Torpaqlarımızın işğalı, yüz minlərlə qaçqın və məcburi köçkünlərin acı taleyi ölkənin üzərinə ağır yük kimi düşmüşdü.
Müharibə həm insan itkisi, həm də iqtisadi böhran baxımından Azərbaycan üçün çox ağır nəticələr doğururdu. Belə bir şəraitdə beynəlxalq vasitəçilərin iştirakı ilə Qırğızıstanın paytaxtı Bişkekdə danışıqlar aparıldı. Bu görüşün nəticəsi olaraq 1994-cü il mayın 12-dən etibarən atəşkəs rejiminin tətbiq olunması barədə sənəd – Bişkek protokolu imzalandı.
Bişkek protokolu Azərbaycan tarixində müharibənin gedişini dayandıran, xalqımıza gələcəyə hazırlıq imkanı verən, eyni zamanda ədalətin gec də olsa, bərqərar olacağına inamı diri saxlayan bir sənəd oldu.
Posted on

On August 10, 2025, an open-air sketch exhibition titled "Patriotism Etudes" was organized in Quba, dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev's birth. The event was held through the joint initiative of the State Service for Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, International Gallery, and the Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba. More than 20 artists participated in the exhibition, creating artworks inspired by themes of patriotism, national memory, and historical reflection.

 

An open-air sketch exhibition titled “Patriotism Etudes” was organized with the participation of more than 20 artists, dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s birth. The exhibition was held through the joint organization of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the International Gallery, and the Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba. The event aimed to promote the values of patriotism, historical memory, and national heritage through artistic expression.

Posted on

On July 25, 2025, within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Georgia "Youth Week", participants of the 2nd International Camp of Azerbaijani and Georgian Youth held in Quba visited the Genocide Memorial Complex. During the visit, the guests were informed that the discovery of a mass grave during excavations carried out in Quba city in 2007 served as compelling evidence of the 1918 genocide committed by Armenians against the Azerbaijani people.

 

With the aim of conveying these truths to the international community, preserving the national memory of the Azerbaijani people, and commemorating the tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis who perished, the “Genocide Memorial Complex” was established in the city of Quba by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated December 30, 2009, and through the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.