Western Azerbaijan Community expresses full support for President Aliyev’s remarks on return

The Western Azerbaijan Community has voiced strong support for President Ilham Aliyev following his recent speech at the unveiling ceremony of a statue of great folk artist Ashig Alasgar (1821-1926) in Baku. Ashig Alasgar is recognized as a significant contributor to Azerbaijani ashug art and lived in Western Azerbaijan's Goycha mahal, a historic center for this cultural tradition.

In his speech, President Aliyev highlighted the historical expulsion of the Goycha population by Armenian Dashnaks in 1918, which forced many Azerbaijanis to live as refugees until 1921. Despite the challenges posed by the Armenian SSR, the Goycha Ashug school thrived during the Soviet era, thanks in part to the efforts of national leader Heydar Aliyev. He played a crucial role in commemorating Ashig Alasgar’s 150th anniversary at the state level and in erecting a tombstone monument in Aghkilsa, which was sadly later destroyed by the Armenian government, along with many other elements of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, says a statement by the community Caliber.Az reports.

The community lamented the consequences of ethnic cleansing that left no Azerbaijani inhabitants in the historical neighborhoods of Western Azerbaijan, once home to a vibrant Azerbaijani population and rich cultural legacy.

President Aliyev's assurance that the Azerbaijani people of Western Azerbaijan will return to their ancestral homeland inspires great hope. The recent liberation of Karabakh and East Zangazur, along with the implementation of the Great Return Program, reinforce the community's belief that their return is imminent.

The community expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their commitment to preserving the legacy of Ashig Alasgar and Azerbaijani ashug art. They affirmed their dedication to participating in all efforts to ensure a peaceful, dignified, and safe return to their homeland, emphasizing the importance of national unity and determination in achieving justice.

By Vafa Guliyeva