An event dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim East, was held at Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ganja Medical College.

Along with the college staff, representatives and leadership of the Ganja branch of the Karabakh Veterans Union of the Republic of Azerbaijan also participated in the meeting.

The memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Azerbaijani territories was honored with a minute of silence, followed by the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan.

Speaking afterwards, the college director and Honored Doctor Mehman Rzayev emphasized that the declaration of Azerbaijan’s independence through the signing of the Declaration of Independence on May 28, 1918, became the logical outcome of the national revival process of our people, who possess rich traditions of statehood.

“The establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic is one of the most significant events in our history of statehood. Although our first independent republic existed for only 23 months, the Azerbaijani people, relying on their traditions of statehood, restored state independence on October 18, 1991. However, the events of the first years of independence demonstrated that preserving freedom is more difficult than gaining it. If our National Leader Heydar Aliyev had not returned to the political stage with a mission of salvation in June 1993, perhaps our present independence would not exist today. Only thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s great wisdom, rich political experience, and farsightedness as an outstanding statesman was our independence preserved and the permanence of our statehood ensured,” M. Rzayev added.

During the event, a documentary film titled “The Unfading Sun of Independence” was screened.

College employee Matanat Nabizada noted in her speech that the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, despite remaining in power for only 23 months, restored the national self-awareness of the Azerbaijani people, clearly demonstrated to the world their ability to determine their own destiny, and took important steps that enriched the country’s traditions of statehood.

Later, Eyvaz Huseynov, Chairman of the Ganja branch of the Karabakh Veterans Union of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stressed that celebrating Independence Day in the historically liberated territories of Azerbaijan is a major and significant event.

The event continued with artistic performances presented by the college students.