An event dedicated to the 36th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy was held at the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the beginning of the event, the staff of the Institute observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the January 20 tragedy, as well as all martyrs who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the Motherland.

   The opening speech was delivered by the Acting Director of the Institute of Geography, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani. In his address, he emphasized that the events of January 20 became one of the key turning points in the history of Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence, noting that this tragedy further strengthened the will of the people for freedom. It was highlighted that the sacrifice of the martyrs of January 20 played an important role in shaping the ideological and spiritual foundations of the national liberation movement.

   During the event, scholars who were direct witnesses to the January 20 events delivered speeches, including Candidate of Geographical Sciences Etibar Badalov, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Rza Mahmudov, Candidate of Geographical Sciences Hasan Nabiyev, and Gamdulla Aliyev. The speakers shared their recollections and spoke about the events that took place that night in Baku and other regions of the republic, addressed the causes of the tragedy, the military aggression of the Soviet authorities aimed at suppressing the people’s aspiration for freedom, and the historical significance of these events on the path toward state independence.

   The Chairman of the Institute’s Trade Union Organization, Kamran Ramazanly, also delivered a speech, noting that despite the numerous sacrifices made by the Azerbaijani people in the name of freedom and independence, their will and national spirit were not broken, and that the January 20 tragedy only strengthened the people’s determination in their struggle.

   As part of the event, a video dedicated to the January 20 tragedy was screened. Following the event, the staff of the Institute of Geography visited the Alley of Martyrs, where they paid deep respect to the cherished memory of the heroes of the January 20 tragedy.