August 1 marks Azerbaijan’s celebration of language and identity

August 1 in Azerbaijan is more than just another summer day—it’s a celebration of identity, heritage, and national pride. Today marks Azerbaijani Language and Alphabet Day, a holiday rooted in the country’s long and transformative linguistic journey, and officially established by the nation’s founding father, Heydar Aliyev.

As domestic media recalls, back in 2001, national leader Heydar Aliyev issued a landmark decree that made August 1 the official day to honour the Azerbaijani alphabet and language. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture — it marked the culmination of a historic return to the Latin script, a move that reshaped the country’s cultural and political landscape after decades of using the Cyrillic alphabet.

The shift back to the Latin alphabet had been gaining momentum since the early 1990s. On August 1, 1990, Azerbaijan formed an Alphabet Commission, and by 1992, the new Latin-based script was in active use. The full transition was completed in August 2001, making it a milestone moment in the nation’s modern history.

But the celebration isn’t just about letters and grammar. Azerbaijani Language and Alphabet Day is a powerful reminder that language is the lifeblood of a nation — an expression of its literature, history, and soul. It’s a call to Azerbaijanis everywhere — at home and abroad — to take pride in their linguistic roots and to keep the flame of their national identity burning bright.

That mission continues today. President Ilham Aliyev’s 2018 decree on expanding the presence of the Azerbaijani language in cyberspace has reinforced the state’s commitment to making the language not only a cultural treasure but a digital force.

From the classroom to the internet, from literature to everyday speech, August 1 is a day to celebrate the Azerbaijani language as a symbol of resilience, unity, and cultural pride.

By Tamilla Hasanova