The Scientific Conference organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Federal Republic of Germany on the occasion of the centenary of proclamation of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held in Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany Ramin Hasanov and coordinator of FRA Foreign Ministry for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia Michael Zibert delivered a congratulatory speech, addressing the attendees of the event.
A documentary about the history of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was shown to conference participants.
Advisor to the director of the Heydar Aliyev Centre Rashad Kerimov gave information about the history of establishing the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, its traditions, as well as novelties characteristic of that period. He noted that the Azerbaijani language was for the first time given the status of a state language at the time of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, and schools started to teach in Azerbaijani, publications in Azerbaijani emerged, first university in the history of the people of Azerbaijan was established, and embassies were opened after the League of Nations de-facto recognized the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan at the Paris Peace Conference. R.Kerimov, talking about the history of restoring the tricolour flag of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan as the state flag of Azerbaijan in decades, mentioned that it took place first in Nakhchivan, following the initiative of Azerbaijani people’s national leader, then chairperson of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s Supreme Assembly Heydar Aliyev.
Researcher of the Forschungsverbund SED-Staat an der Freien Universität Berlin Enrico Seewald noted, in his speech, the necessity of studying history.
Head of the International Affairs Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, doctor of philosophy Nargiz Akhundova talked about the diplomatic mission of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, hardships faced on this path, in particular, artificial obstacles associated obtaining visa for France.
Leading researcher of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, doctor of philosophy Lamiya Gafarzadeh, in her speech, talked about the achievements reached by the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan in the fields of education and culture, as well as equality of human rights in the country.
Head of the Humboldt University’s Azerbaijani History Department, professor Eva-Maria Auch shared her thoughts of how she understood the notion “friendship of peoples” in the context of the Azerbaijan-Germany relations.
Docent of the Potsdam University Matthias Dornfeldt noted, in his speech, that Azerbaijan had a history spanning thousands of years. He talked about the series of events on dialogue of civilizations hosted by Azerbaijan, as well as international forums that manifest the country leadership’s showing attention towards this topic.
Author of a reference book for tourists Heike Maria Johenning presented her work to the audience. Pictures of Icherisheher, centre of Baku and historical monuments were included in this book.
At the conference, which was of live dialogue nature, participants of the panel answered questions of the visitors.
