Gala evening in honor of the WW II veterans held in Baku by the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation
A group of teachers and students of the M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University’s Faculty of History are in Baku at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Faculty.
A gala evening was organized for the World War II veterans on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Victory over fascism, May 9.
Ilgar Mustafayev, the representative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, made a welcoming address to veterans. He congratulated all the participants on behalf of Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP.
"Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev treated veterans with great love and said several generations grew up on their example," Mr Mustafayev underlined.
Over 640,000 sons and daughters of Azerbaijan fought in the fronts of the WWII. Over 300,000 of them were perished, while 130 Azerbaijanis were conferred a title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has met today with veterans. At the President’s decree, families of victims of the WWII and those who worked in the rear received a one-time financial assistance," I.Mustafayev added.
According to the representative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Foundation continues this tradition. "Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s President meets first of all with the WWII veterans during her visits in and outside the country. Addressing the WWII veterans’ problems is a daily and priority direction of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s activities," he stressed.
"Our attitude towards you will always be the same," Ilgar Mustafayev underscored.
Aleksey Vlasov, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History, Professor of the Russian State Humanitarian University, congratulated veterans on the Victory Day on behalf of the Faculty.
"We hope you will enjoy a concert programme, which the MSU students have prepared for you for a long time heartily," Mr Vlasov said. "People, who does not preserve its historic memory, cannot claim to be really a competitive nation in the 21st century."
A.Vlasov said remembering history, respecting and appreciating those, who 66 years ago sacrificed their lives and health in order to preserve the future for all of us, is the main value that any post-Soviet nation has.
"This is common-valuable, mental, cultural space, of which veterans are still alive," said Aleksey Vlasov.
Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin also congratulated veterans. He said the contribution made by Azerbaijan to gaining the great victory may be called in one word - feat.
"I think that the current and future generations of Azerbaijanis will be proud of this feat," said the Ambassador.
He said Russia remembers and appreciates the role that Azerbaijan has played in the World War II, and the sacrifice the Azerbaijani people gave. "We remember the oil and fuel which fed the tanks and equipment breaking the power of Nazi Germany. We also remember the labor of doctors and medical staff who nursed soldiers," V.Dorokhin said.
The Ambassador said Azerbaijan has not shared its contributions with other nations. "We very much appreciate the position of your president and your people that the victory was gained at the cost of the overall effort. And this is the value that is a source of great inspiration.
Chairman of Union Veterans of Azerbaijan Alovsat Bakhyshov thanked the organizers of the event on behalf of all veterans.
He said the World War II involved more than 600,000 Azerbaijanis, including 10,000 women, of whom 300,000 did not return home.
"Today Azerbaijan also faced with military occupation - Armenia has occupied 20 percent of our territory, but the glorious sons of Azerbaijan will not allow our territory to remain under occupation," said Mr Bakhyshov.
In his speech, A.Bakhyshov thanked First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for the care and attention to veterans.
Veterans are also grateful to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the care and attention.
At the end of the event, students of the History Faculty performed a concert dedicated to the Victory Day.
They said poems by the Soviet and Azerbaijani poets devoted to the Great Patriotic War, sang songs in military uniforms of the soviet army.
During his stay in Baku, the Russian delegation also visited the Alley of Honor, Martyrs' Alley and the monument to the Hero of the Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov.
The guests also met in Baku with veterans of World War II, got familiarized with the historical places - Icheri Shahar ("Old City"), Gobustan Historical Reserve, etc.
