There is identity writes history, and there is history creates identity…
This wise idea has not lost its relevance against the background of the new political realities of the modern era of globalization. Because it is with the name of phenomenal leaders that the formation of the concept of independent statehood, which has become a vivid expression of the national existence and self-sufficiency of most peoples, is associated.
It is a pride for us to mention the names of Azerbaijanis among these peoples. Such a genius person as the great leader Heydar Aliyev, whose 101st anniversary we celebrated, is our pride. Every moment, every page of the meaningful life path of the national leader, who saved Azerbaijan from destruction and brought it to a bright tomorrow, created the ideological and political foundations of the state, is an example for today and future generations, an unforgettable date.
Personality that works wonders
May 10 of each year is the day that the Azerbaijani people celebrate with great gratitude and express their respect. The birthday of the great leader Heydar Aliyev is truly one of the most magnificent pages of our history.
Celebrating the 101st birthday, the genius is the proud yesterday, the learned today and the tomorrow of our history. In this context, we can say with full confidence that this is the most important symbol of the uniqueness and uniqueness of Heydar Aliyev: he is the eternal leader of all three eras. Because the Great Leader, who has always been proud of being an Azerbaijani, has done irreplaceable things for his state and people. And God on this path endowed him with such qualities as wisdom, intelligence, determination, inflexibility, invincibility.
The biography of the Great Leader is a whole biography of Azerbaijan, a chronicle of Honor. If you look at the success, victory and progress in our country, the signature and authorship of Heydar Aliyev will certainly appear there.
National leader Heydar Aliyev, as a powerful personality, left no trace in the history of Azerbaijan and the region. He is a world-wide historical figure. On April 22, a solemn meeting was held in the Russian Federation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the start of construction of the Baikal-Amur Highway. Russian President Vladimir Putin also invited President Ilham Aliyev to this meeting. The sincere thoughts expressed at that meeting about the great leader Heydar Aliyev, who led the construction of the Baikal-Amur Highway, could not help but make every Azerbaijani feel proud.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that the Baikal-Amur Highway is one of the largest railway arteries in the world, a real road of the future. Of course, for many of those who have implemented this project, – they said then, and now it can be confirmed, – BAH is a symbol of the dreams and romantic aspirations of a whole generation. BAH is also the embodiment of the enormous work and courage of two million young people from all over the Soviet Union. They implemented a project that has no equal in world history, unique in every sense.
As the construction of the BAH begins, the leadership of the USSR appoints great leader Heydar Aliyev, who works as the first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers, as the head of this project. In this he is helped by great knowledge and experience, managerial talent, the ability to solve the most complex problems and, of course, special personal qualities, first of all, a caring, respectful attitude towards those for whom he works, and the heroic son of Azerbaijan is able to implement this huge project.
Vladimir Putin says: “he himself visited the facilities of the BAH, talked with builders, residents of new settlements and cities. As they say, you could easily approach him, talk about his problems, discuss current issues. I would also like to add that with the support of Heydar Alirza Oglu, Azerbaijani designers and builders built two settlements with station complexes-Ulkan and Angoya during the construction of BAM, and are now involved in the reconstruction and modernization of sections of the Baikal – Amur Mainline in Khabarovsk and Yakutia.”
The great leader traveled a long way from Bratsk to Vladivostok and Nakhodka in difficult conditions, one might say, on foot, by train, by helicopter, sharing his joy and sorrow with the BAH’s for ten days. These people almost every day, performing feats and working miracles, predetermined the fate of the future development of the Soviet state, and today both Russia and neighboring countries, and managed to create a unique example of infrastructure that would serve the development of both regional and international cooperation for many years – 50 years or more.
Recalling his memories of Heydar Aliyev, Yefim Vladimirovich Basin, who at that time worked as deputy minister of transport construction of the USSR, said that he was a strong-willed person, with great erudition, competent and amazing: “I clearly remember the arrival of Heydar Aliyev in BAH. It was June 1984. It was the year of the eve of the” Golden unification ” throughout the entire BAH. The tension had reached its peak. All brigades led by Ivan Varshavsky and Alexander Bondar were in a hurry to confront each other. But on their way there were many obstacles, especially such as large bridges and tunnels. It was to solve these problems that Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev came to BAH.”
As a resolute, combative, tireless and professional in his work, The Great Leader successfully completes this grandiose historical project. The truth about him is the greatest value given to Azerbaijan. They say that goodness is never forgotten…
Faithful service mission
If we say that Heydar Aliyev dedicated his life to his people, we will not be mistaken. And he relied on his people because at all times the people of Azerbaijan believed in him, trusted him, supported his policy and declared that he was always with him.
It is for this reason that everyone considers the Great Leader to be the national treasure of the Azerbaijani people, the share of God destined for him. Over time, our people more deeply understand the greatness and greatness of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, who devoted his entire meaningful life to serving the people, and the life of the genius person is valued as a mission of heroism, faithful service to the motherland and the people.
Azerbaijan is located in such a sensitive geography that there have been and are expected to be threats to our statehood throughout history, as well as to the present times when we are modern. But in both periods of time during which the great leader Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan in 1969-1982 and 1993-2003, he strengthened and perfectly formed the foundations of our statehood, which will ensure the successful development of Azerbaijan for many decades, even centuries, and reliably protect it from external threats.
If we look at history, we can see that the heart of the Great Leader has been beating with Azerbaijan in all these periods. He has promoted Azerbaijan everywhere at a high level. He has always embodied his love for his people and country in his deeds. No matter how many words we say, it is not enough to express Heydar Aliyev’s merits, dedication and struggle for the creation, strengthening and transformation of an independent Azerbaijani state into a powerful country. In the first period of his leadership in Azerbaijan – 1969-1982, in the 13-year historical period, Heydar Aliyev achieved a great leap in the development of all spheres in our republic with his extraordinary managerial skills and will. Thanks to his brilliant political intelligence and talent, he created a new Azerbaijan, its present realities and determined the paths leading to the future. The Great Leader created miracles in the truest sense of the word.
Looking at the modern history of Azerbaijan, it is clear that in the most difficult moments of the country and the people, the great leader Heydar Aliyev was able to adequately justify the hopes placed on him. It is no coincidence that in the period of independence, as in the Soviet years, thanks to the policy of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan managed to get rid of all subjects. From this point of view, the historical truth is that if the Great Leader had not returned to political power in the tense and crisis June days of 1993, we may have neither independence nor statehood now.
Therefore, we say with confidence and pride that the formation of modern Azerbaijani society and the establishment of an independent state of Azerbaijan are directly related to the name of the great leader Heydar Aliyev. Just as the national leader is proud to be an Azerbaijani, every Azerbaijani is proud to be a citizen of Independent, developed Azerbaijan, the greatest work of Heydar Aliyev.
Great leader Heydar Aliyev successfully brought our people out of the complex historical and political trials of time. He fought consistently, giving him a modern independent country. The Azerbaijani people entered the new century and the new millennium precisely in the light of Heydar Aliyev’s intelligence.
Today, the splendor of our Tricolor flag flying in Karabakh, in East Zangezur, in every inch of Azerbaijan, which has fully ensured its territorial integrity, and the great achievements of modern Azerbaijan, confidently moving on the path of continuous growth, are a triumph of Heydar Aliyev’s ideas.
Heydar Aliyev Foundation-unprecedented achievements in 20 years
The genius who led our people from darkness to enlightenment became not only a savior for every Azerbaijani, but also a parent, caring and exemplary father.
The most worthy successor of his political school – President Ilham Aliyev-turned Azerbaijan into the most powerful state in its history. Mr. Ilham Aliyev completed the unfinished work of the Great Leader with his fully independent policy and successful foreign diplomacy, and now Azerbaijan is exactly the country that Heydar Aliyev wanted to see, rising to the world like The Sun. Of course, today, though not together with us, the spirit of the great leader rejoices and his ideas and rich heritage are always being promoted. This can be seen in the fundamental principles of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which bears the name of the leader, in all projects implemented by him.
Established 20 years ago under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s first lady, first vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva, the foundation has chosen the principle of its activity to study and propagate the rich heritage of the national leader, to give a clear idea to future generations about his large-scale activities aimed at socio-economic and cultural progress of Azerbaijan, to assist in the work.
The foundation, which was established in 2004 as a sign of deep respect for the spirit of the Great Leader, under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, has been providing unparalleled services for the eternal living of the bright ideas of the brilliant leader of Azerbaijan for 20 years. There is no field in our country that does not have the services of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in solving, eliminating, and developing its problems. The foundation’s activities in science, education, healthcare, culture, sports and other fields are revolutionary in nature.
President Ilham Aliyev gave the greatest appreciation to the activity of the fund. The head of state emphasized that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has become a national fund in the truest sense of the word. The work carried out by the foundation, the measures taken, and the initiatives put forward are obvious: “I highly appreciate the role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in education, health, culture, protection of our Spiritual Heritage, Promotion of Azerbaijan in the world community, presentation of Azerbaijan as it is. This fund proved that if there is a desire, if there is Will, and if there is goodwill, then any issue can be resolved in any area.
Awarding Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva with the Order of “Heydar Aliyev” by the order of President Ilham Aliyev for her fruitful activity in the socio-political and cultural life of Azerbaijan is also the highest award given to the first vice-president for his services to his people.
The projects implemented by the foundation in liberated Karabakh and East Zangezur today are unique. It is known that in our liberated territories there are thousands of samples of material, cultural and religious heritage, a huge part of which was subjected to Armenian vandalism during the occupation, insulted and destroyed by the enemy. First vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva announced on December 2020, 8 that the foundation had launched a project to restore cultural and religious monuments and mosques in the liberated territories. In addition to local experts, foreign experts were invited to the implementation of the projects and special working groups were created. A preliminary assessment was carried out to study the monuments to be restored. Restoration work covered all monuments, regardless of religious affiliation. It is on the basis of these projects that the foundation has already completed the restoration of many cultural, religious and historical monuments.
According to the instruction of the first vice-president, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation not only restores mosques and religious and cultural monuments destroyed by Armenians in Karabakh and East Zangazur, but also restores our cultural traditions in this region.
Victory diary
There is no longer a conflict called Karabakh. For three years and five months, the Azerbaijani people have been experiencing the joy and pride of the Great Victory in the Patriotic War.
The implementation of the peace agenda of the Supreme Commander-In-Chief Ilham Aliyev has begun. The absence of external forces in the region has normalized relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The start of the process of delimitation and demarcation of territories is a clear embodiment of this.
True, there were many attacks on Azerbaijan before this process. There were even attempts to create a new conflict in the region. However, as a result of the decisive policy of the president of Azerbaijan, all insidious plans failed. Finally, the Armenian leadership realized that the guarantee of peace in the region depends only on the agreement between the two countries. The process of returning 4 villages of Gazakh and withdrawing Russian peacekeepers from Karabakh was another triumph of successful diplomacy of the president of Azerbaijan.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the VI World Forum on intercultural dialogue on “dialogue for peace and global security” at the Baku Congress Center on May 1, President Ilham Aliyev once again drew attention to the second Karabakh War, our victory and the ongoing negotiations process. The Distinguished President said that in September last year, after Azerbaijan fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, it was subjected to political attacks by Armenia’s patrons. Despite this, Azerbaijan still offered peace. And now, in fact, the processes are leading towards a positive trend and peace. The delimitation of borders has begun. The process of not only delimitation, but also demarcation takes place.
As the president said, This was achieved by the two countries without any intermediaries: “this once again shows that we do not need intermediaries.”
The head of state once again sent a message to the forces that do not want peace in the region, saying that Azerbaijan will not allow the forces that want to create a new battleground in these territories: “especially those people who pursue their own goals and do not want to help. They want to intervene in our region in their individual, political and economic interests. They want to throw firewood back into that flame. We will not allow this in the South Caucasus. After thirty years of clashes, Armenia clearly understands that we want peace in the South Caucasus, and peace can be resolved in this region only through normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”
COP29-Azerbaijan will build new bridges between states and cultures
Historical facts show that all the unprecedented achievements of Azerbaijan are the result of Heydar Aliyev’s policy.
The national progress and renaissance of the people are always at the forefront of the completely independent and decisive policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, who holds the immortal ideas of the great leader Heydar Aliyev high in every field and implements them in a practical way. As the head of state himself noted, after the victory, Azerbaijan is experiencing the most glorious and powerful period of its history. Independent Azerbaijan, embodying the ideas of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in real life, confidently moves towards a bright future under the leadership of a worthy successor of the great leader. Today, Azerbaijan, which enjoys great respect in the world order, is gaining great opportunities for rapid integration into the international community with its grandiose victories. Our independent state is the organizer of intercultural dialogues conducted all over the world today. Azerbaijan, with its rich culture, has become one of the main participants in this dialogue process. The transfer of ownership of COP29 to Azerbaijan is a clear embodiment of this. Because the whole world knows that Azerbaijan has great experience in holding great conferences and forums. The position exhibited by Azerbaijan during our chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, which is the second largest organization after the UN, the projects implemented and the proposals put forward have further increased the prestige of our country. The COP29 summit, which will be held at the end of the year, will also build new bridges between states and cultures, adhering to the tradition of Azerbaijan. He calls for solidarity to the world and will do important work in the fight against climate change.
In a word, the efforts of the great leader Heydar Aliyev for the existence, life and future of Azerbaijan and for our people not to live in captivity are bearing fruit today. It is this sign that raises the prestige of Azerbaijan more and more, and our country is confidently moving towards more grandiose victories with the decisive and thoughtful policy of President Ilham Aliyev.