The event entitled “The Chronicle of Victory: Heroism and National Memory” was held at the Institute of Folklore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

The event began with the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It was followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Azerbaijani lands.

The participants were then shown a video entitled “44 Days in Karabakh”, prepared by the Folklore Studio.

Opening the event, Director of the Institute of Folklore, Doctor of Sciences in Philology, Associate Professor Hikmat Guliyev mentioned that the 44-day Patriotic War was an important turning point in the history of the Azerbaijani people. He noted that negotiations aimed at ending the long-standing occupation and restoring the country’s territorial integrity had failed to produce results and that, under these circumstances, Azerbaijan was compelled to resort to military means in order to restore its territorial integrity and historical justice.

In his speech, Hikmat Guliyev noted that the most painful consequence of the Patriotic War was the enormous sacrifice made by the martyrs and veterans. Noting that the overwhelming majority of those who sacrificed their lives for the homeland were young people, he characterized their sacrifice of their lives for the sake of the future of the people and the state in the context of civic responsibility, moral duty, and historical memory. He mentioned that the dedication and sacrifice of the martyrs and veterans should be preserved not only in the memory of the present generation but also in that of future generations and that the honorable path they followed should be safeguarded as an important component of national memory and passed on to future generations.

Director said that the 44-day war holds a special place in the national memory of the Azerbaijani people, noting that every settlement liberated from occupation carries a unique significance in the historical and spiritual memory of the people.

Concluding his speech, Hikmat Guliyev noted that one of the important tasks facing Azerbaijan was to continue the Victory achieved on the military front in the intellectual, cultural and spiritual spheres. He noted that respect for the souls of the martyrs should not be limited merely to commemorating their memory, but should also be continued by preserving the values for which they fought, keeping national memory alive, and transmitting these values to future generations.

Later, PhD, Associate Professor Aposh Valiyev shared his memories of his brother Vusal Valiyev, who was martyred during the Patriotic War.

Subsequently, PhD, Associate Professor Elchin Galiboglu made a speech, stating that folklore was not merely a collection of examples of folk creativity, but also an important source that preserves the historical memory of a people, the events they had experienced and their national-spiritual heritage.

PhD, Associate Professor Ilhama Gasabova, also addressed the event, noting that the first days of the Patriotic War unfolded under difficult and complex conditions. She noted that following many years of occupation and confrontation, Azerbaijani soldiers demonstrated great determination under challenging weather and combat conditions, emphasizing the important role of solidarity and morale in the struggle for the liberation of the lands.

The event continued with reflections on the historical significance of the Patriotic War, the cherished memory of the martyrs and the preservation of the Victory in national memory.