Republic Day in Azerbaijan

When did the Republic Day in Azerbaijan start?

About Republic Day in Azerbaijan Holiday

Azerbaijan celebrates Republic Day on May 28th to commemorate the establishment of their Democratic Republic in 1918. The Democratic Republic was the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world and lasted for just 23 months before the Soviet Union invaded and annexed Azerbaijan. Republic Day is celebrated with patriotic fervor and it is a chance for the people of Azerbaijan to remember their brave struggle for the independence of their nation. During the celebration, national parades, musical performances, and fireworks take place to honor the independence of the country. The President, government representatives and members of the Parliament also attend the event. Republic Day is a national holiday in Azerbaijan and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and respect.

Republic Day, Azerbaijan: An Overview

Republic Day, also known as National Day, is an anniversary in Azerbaijan commemorated on the 28th of May each year. This day celebrates the declaration of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, which proclaimed official independence from the Russian Empire.

History of Republic Day in Azerbaijan

Republic Day in Azerbaijan dates back to 28th of May 1918, when the first independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was proclaimed in Tbilisi, Georgia and accepted by the Transcaucasian Sejm – the provisional legislature of the Transcaucasian region, consisting of delegates from three nations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The ADR was the first parliamentary democracy in a Muslim-majority nation in the whole of the Middle East and, despite its brief 22-month existence, remains one of the most important milestones of modern Azerbaijani history.

The ADR was founded during a period when the Russian Empire was falling apart and its dissolution brought with it an opportunity for the newly independent nation of Azerbaijan to declare its sovereignty. The fledgling Republic was founded on a secular, multi-ethnic basis and declared that all citizens would be treated equally, whatever their faith or ethnicity.

However, the dream of the ADR founders did not last long. In 1920, the ADR was forcefully absorbed by the Soviet Union and Azerbaijan was declared a Soviet Socialist Republic by the Bolsheviks. The Soviet rule lasted until 25th of December 1991 when the dissolution of the USSR enabled the nation to re-establish its sovereignty and declare itself an independent Republic of Azerbaijan. On 18th of October 1991, President Heydar Aliyev declared Republic Day to honour the nation’s independence and to recognise the foundation of the Azerbaijani Republic in 1918.

How is Republic Day Celebrated in Azerbaijan?

Republic Day is a public holiday in Azerbaijan and it is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fanfare all over the country. The day usually begins with an official military parade which takes place in the centre of the capital Baku and is attended by the president and other high ranking officials of the state. The parade usually includes performances of national dances, marches of the armed forces and a display of military hardware. The President also addresses the gathered crowd to share his thoughts on the importance of this National Day and to reiterate the foundations of the Republic and its proud history.

The people of Azerbaijan, meanwhile, celebrate the day in their homes and communities. Local councils and municipalities often organise events for the locals in parks, university grounds and public squares. Booths and fairs are set up where local crafts, traditional food and folkloric music and dances can be enjoyed. People gather to take part in these events, listening to patriotic songs, eating local food and discussing the history and the importance of the day.

At the end of the day, fireworks illuminate the night sky of Baku, illuminating the majestic Caspian Sea and reminding the locals of the splendour of their nation.

Conclusion

Republic Day is an important holiday in Azerbaijan that celebrates the nation’s independence from the Soviet Union. On this day, the citizens of Azerbaijan remember the founding of their Republic in 1918 and reaffirm their commitment to their country. On this day, the people of Azerbaijan come together to celebrate the legacy of their nation with music, dance, food and fireworks.

How to Say "Republic Day in Azerbaijan" In Different Languages?