By Lee Kap-soo

The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul held an event dedicated to the Memorial Day of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev at Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on Dec. 11.

Delivering welcoming remarks at the event in honor of its national leader Heydar Aliyev, Amb. Ramin M. Hasanov of Azerbaijan to Korea said, “We celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, the founder and architect of the modern, mighty, independent state of Azerbaijan.

“Heydar Aliyev, with his charismatic personality, successfully saved Azerbaijani people from the complex historical and political trials and brought them to independence through consistent struggle. Azerbaijani people entered the new century and the new millennium precisely in the light of Heydar Aliyev’s intelligence.”

Noting that Heydar Aliyev is the very leader who formulated the modern history of Azerbaijan, becoming a true legend of his time, Amb. Hasanov said, “The history remembers him as a unique leader, powerful head of state, selfless man and legendary figure able to take on his shoulders a difficult historical task of state building.”

The ambassador also said, “Thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s steel will and great wisdom, the political-social stability was ensured, main principles of human rights and freedoms were enforced, economic progress was promoted in the country, and Azerbaijan excelled as democratic, legal and secular state.”

He said that this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Great Leader’s return to power. On 15 June 1993, during the country’s very difficult times, on the insistence of the nation, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev came back to power in Azerbaijan. That day entered into the history of Azerbaijan as the National Salvation Day.

Amb. Hasanov said, “This year, precisely 12 December 2023, we also mourn the 20th anniversary of passing away of Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev. Every year, Azerbaijani people commemorate the death of the Great Leader to cherish his bright memory.”

Commenting that Azerbaijanis are proud of their great son, who devoted all his life to faithfully serving his people and motherland, the ambassador said, “Heydar Aliyev will live forever in the memory and in the hearts of Azerbaijani people as the savior, outstanding politician, wise statesman and genius personality. The Great Leader will remain eternally with Azerbaijani people thanks to his visionary ideas and exceptional works he accomplished for the prosperity and future of Azerbaijan. It is the honorable duty of every Azerbaijani to preserve this sacred and remarkable legacy.”

Amb. Hasanov added, “Heydar Aliyev’s immortal ideas are still valid even today, they lead our country forward and will always live on while Azerbaijan exists. Heydar Aliyev’s soul is happy, because by following the Great Leader’s strategic vision, victorious Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, liberated Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and ensured country’s full sovereignty over all its territories. Azerbaijan supports peace agenda and is interested in normalization of inter-State relations and soonest completion of the peace treaty negotiations with Armenia.”

More than 300 distinguished guests, including ambassadors and other senior diplomats from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps and key figures representing the Korean society, attended the reception.

Among the distinguished guests were Amb. Murat Tamer of Turkiye; Amb. Tarash Papaskua of Georgia; Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus; Amb. Nurgali Arystanov of Kazakhstan; and Amb. Aida Ismailova of Kyrgyz Republic.

As a side event to mark the Memorial Day of Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev, talented Korean musicians performed prominent Azerbaijani and foreign musical compositions.