Khojaly tragedy commemorations span Azerbaijan, Israel, Germany, Bulgaria Collective actions worldwide

As the world marks the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, global commemorations unfold, spanning from Azerbaijan to Israel, Germany, and Bulgaria. Dignitaries, diplomats, and communities unite in remembering the victims of the horrific events that occurred on the night of February 25-26, 1992.

In Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova, Head of the Presidential Administration Samir Nuriyev and other officials visited the "Mother's Cry" monument erected in Baku in memory of the victims of the tragedy, Caliber.Az reports.

They laid flowers at the monument and honoured the memory of the victims of the tragedy.

In this respect, British Ambassador Fergus Auld also visited the Khojaly genocide memorial.

"Today I am with all Azerbaijanis honouring the memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. Allah Rəhmət Eləsin! [Rest in peace!]" he said on his X account.

In Israel, according to the tradition established, every year residents of various cities gather for an event in memory of the victims of the tragedy that occurred on the night of February 25-26, 1992, when civilians, including the elderly, women and children, were brutally killed by Armenian nationalists in the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly.

Following this tradition, to commemorate the victims of the Khojaly genocide, the residents, gathering at the Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv, explored the historical context of the 1992 incident where hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians were killed in Khojaly.

Participants then travelled to the "Presidential Forest" in Jerusalem, where a grove of 613 trees – one for each victim – stands as a memorial.

The ceremony highlighted the importance of remembering such tragedies and emphasized the recent liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation.

Representatives of various organizations laid wreaths at the memorial, honouring the victims of this sorrowful event.

This gathering, organized by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Israel, serves as a testament to the ongoing engagement with the memory of the Khojaly tragedy.

On the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, the Center of Azerbaijanis of Europe organized an action in Cologne, Germany.

The event, held in front of the iconic Cologne Cathedral, saw Azerbaijanis from the city and surrounding areas along with representatives of friendly communities gather to remember the victims.

Following the playing of the Azerbaijani national anthem, a minute of silence was observed for those killed in Khojaly and the countless martyrs who have fallen for their homeland.

Speakers, including Center of Azerbaijanis of Europe Chairman Zaur Aliyev and members of the martyrs' families, emphasized the enduring memory of the tragedy and the ongoing demand for accountability for the perpetrators. They also highlighted the global nature of the Khojaly tragedy, emphasizing its significance as a crime against humanity.

The event also aimed to raise awareness among the local community. Information posters depicting Armenian vandalism, books, flyers, and brochures in German and English were distributed, and a photo exhibition brought the horrors of the Khojaly tragedy closer to the attendees.

With over 200 participants, the action served as a powerful display of unity and remembrance. The event concluded with the performance of the Koroglu overture, symbolizing the Azerbaijani spirit of resilience and the enduring memory of those lost.

The central mosque in Bulgaria's capital Sofia honoured the memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy.

"With deep respect and sorrow honoured the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide in the central mosque of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The ceremony was organised jointly with the Chief Muftiate of Bulgaria. The Supreme Mufti delivered a sermon on the Khojaly massacre, prayers were recited for the souls of the victims of the genocide and all martyrs," Azerbaijani Ambassador to Bulgaria Huseyn Huseynov wrote on social network X.