Azerbaijan, Lithuania united by painful historical legacy, says envoy

Azerbaijan and Lithuania share tragic historical experiences linked to Soviet repression, which claimed the lives of prominent intellectuals, clergy, political figures, and tens of thousands of ordinary citizens, Lithuanian Ambassador to Baku Kęstutis Vaškelevičius said.

Speaking at an event dedicated to commemorating the victims of political repression in Azerbaijan and Lithuania, the ambassador noted that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, the Lithuanian and Azerbaijani peoples are connected by similar chapters of their history, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"Lithuanians and Azerbaijanis may live thousands of kilometers apart, but our peoples are united by tragic pages of the past. Both Lithuania and Azerbaijan suffered from Soviet repression. Both countries lost outstanding intellectuals, teachers, political figures, clergy, and ordinary citizens whose only 'guilt' was their love for their nation, faith, culture, and freedom," the diplomat said.

He stressed that mass arrests, executions, imprisonment, and deportations destroyed the lives of thousands of people.

"Many of them never returned from Siberian exile, and entire families disappeared in exile. Despite these difficult trials, people preserved their language, culture, and hope of returning home," Vaškelevičius added.

The ambassador also highlighted the tragedy faced by the Azerbaijani intelligentsia during the Stalinist purges, paying special attention to the fate of renowned poet Mikayil Mushfig.

"In his works, he reflected optimism and faith in life, but he himself became a victim of a system that feared free thought and independence. When a poet is silenced, the people lose part of their voice," Vaškelevičius said.

The event also addressed the destinies of other prominent Azerbaijani writers, Ahmad Javad and Huseyn Javid. Participants also recalled notable Lithuanian figures who became victims of Soviet repressive policies.

Among the speakers at the event were Salim Babullaoghlu, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, members of the Milli Majlis, historians, and relatives of Mikayil Mushfig and Dilbar Akhundzada.

They underscored the importance of preserving the memory of those who suffered under the totalitarian regime and passing that historical legacy on to future generations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada