Azerbaijan Marks Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis

Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijanis worldwide today celebrate the Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis, a significant occasion fostering unity among Azerbaijanis across the globe.

The holiday’s origins trace back to December 1989 in Nakhchivan, when Azerbaijanis, in a remarkable act of defiance, dismantled the barbed-wire barriers along the USSR-Iran border, symbolizing the shared national identity of Azerbaijanis on both sides of the River Aras. Recognizing the importance of this unity, Heydar Aliyev, then Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, declared December 31 as the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis on December 16, 1991.

The first official celebration of the holiday occurred in 1992, under the presidency of Abulfaz Elchibey, marking the event as a state-level occasion. Since then, it has become an annual tradition, celebrated with enthusiasm and pride by Azerbaijanis in over 70 countries.

The Day of Solidarity underscores the shared heritage and aspirations of Azerbaijanis worldwide, serving as a platform to strengthen ties and foster unity among the diaspora. The celebration has grown into a moral imperative, highlighting the collective ambition for unity, as demonstrated during the historic events of the late 1980s.

This day stands as a symbol of Azerbaijanis’ enduring commitment to solidarity, fostering connections that transcend borders and preserving the cultural and national identity of the Azerbaijani people around the world.