Berlin Marks 36th Anniversary of Black January Tragedy
The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Germany on Tuesday commemorated the 36th anniversary of the Black January tragedy with a memorial event at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Berlin, honoring the victims of the deadliest crackdown of the late Soviet era.
The program began with a moment of silence for those killed during the events of January 20, 1990, followed by the screening of a German-language documentary produced by the Embassy that traced the historical background and the violent suppression of peaceful protesters in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
In remarks to attendees, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev recalled that on the night of January 19–20, 1990, some 26,000 Soviet troops entered Baku under orders from the Soviet leadership in an attempt to crush the Azerbaijani people’s growing demand for freedom. The operation resulted in the deaths of many unarmed civilians—including women, children, and the elderly—and left hundreds seriously wounded.
“Black January remains not only a tragic chapter in our history, but also a symbol of honor, dignity, and the unbreakable will of the Azerbaijani people,” Aghayev said. He noted that those killed gave their lives for their country’s freedom, the dignity of their nation, and the right of future generations to live in an independent state.
The ambassador also highlighted the role of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, who publicly condemned the massacre in Moscow on January 21, 1990, and demanded a political and legal assessment of the crime. His courage and resolute stance, Aghayev said, strengthened the national freedom movement and helped lay the ideological groundwork for Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991.
Fidan Damer, a board member of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, said the crackdown—intended to break the will of the Azerbaijani people—had the opposite effect. “Black January intensified the struggle for freedom and showed the world the courage, unity, and determination of the Azerbaijani nation,” she said, describing January 20 as a lasting reminder of the cost of freedom.
The commemoration continued with the screening of the documentary “Those Born on January 20,” which focuses on the bravery of Azerbaijani sailors who resisted Soviet forces during those tragic days. The event concluded with the opening of a photo exhibition featuring powerful images documenting the tragedy.
