On January 19, a commemorative event was held at the Presidential Library to mark the anniversary of the January 20 tragedy.
The event began with the playing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of the country.
Opening the event, Professor Afet Abbasova, Director of the Presidential Library, provided detailed information on the historical background and consequences of the bloody events that took place in Baku on January 20, 1990. She emphasized that this date represents a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s history and the national liberation movement. Professor Abbasova also highlighted the unique role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in delivering the first political, legal, and historical assessment of the tragedy, noting that the state continues to pursue this policy today.
A video dedicated to the memory of the January 20 martyrs and the heroism of the Azerbaijani people was then screened.
Speaking at the event, Minavvar Aliyeva, consultant-bibliographer of the Information and Bibliography Services Group of the Library and Bibliographic Services Section; Afiyet Majidova, consultant-editor of the Periodicals Collection Group of the Library Collection Section; Rakhshan Guliyeva, consultant-bibliographer of the Library Collection Section; and Zakir Ismayilov, head of the Library Automation, Digitization, and Electronic Resources Section, addressed the responsibility of libraries in promoting international awareness of the January 20 events and fostering patriotism among the younger generation. The speakers emphasized the importance of commemorating the martyrs and highlighted the role of this tragic history in Azerbaijan’s path to independence.
As part of the event, a traditional book exhibition and a virtual exhibition titled “20 January. Aggression 1990” were presented, reflecting the historical significance of the January 20 events and the Azerbaijani people’s struggle for freedom. The exhibitions feature publications in several languages covering the causes, developments, and consequences of the January 1990 events, as well as evidence of the massacres committed by the Soviet army in Baku.
It was noted that the e-project “20 January. Aggression 1990,” prepared by the Presidential Library on January 18, 2010, serves as an important resource for the systematic study of the historical, political, and legal aspects of the January 20 tragedy. More information about the project is available at https://aggression.preslib.az.
