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Baku hosts international symposium on â€œThe role of Azerbaijan in World War II and as a refuge from the Holocaust in the Caucasusâ€ - UPDATED - PHOTOSESSION

Baku hosts international symposium on â€œThe role of Azerbaijan in World War II and as a refuge from the Holocaust in the Caucasusâ€ - <font color=red>UPDATED - PHOTOSESSION</font>

17 October 2012 09:30 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports that the symposium was organized by the European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) and Yahad-In Unum (YIU).

Delivering keynote speech in the opening ceremony of the symposium, Chairman of the European Azerbaijan Society Tale Heydarov said that the theme on World War II and the role of Azerbaijan in this war had been studied before, but it was based on the Soviet ideology. He said the event would focus on five themes. They are: â€œThe Caucasus policy of the USSR and Germany in World War IIâ€, â€œAzerbaijanâ€™s role in this warâ€, â€œThe role of Azerbaijani oilâ€, â€œThe rescue of Jews in the Caucasusâ€ and â€œResettlement of the people during the World War IIâ€. Tale Heydarov underlined the importance of studying that period and mentioned that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict existing in the Caucasus was the most large-scale aggression act committed against Azerbaijanis in the region.

President of the Yahad-In Unum, studying Holocaust Patrick Desbois, said that the organization, which he represents, is interested in informing the people of Azerbaijan about the fate of Jews in World War II: â€œBecause, when Jews, who survived in those times in Ukraine and Belarus, were asked â€œHow could you do itâ€, they answered: â€œBecause, we could arrive in Baku, they received us well, we could live there during that difficult period and then returned.â€ The other countries have a little information about the role of Azerbaijan in World War II. Younger generation must be informed about it, because they are our future.â€

Director of the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies in the US Paul Shapiro spoke about the centerâ€™s activity and said that about 3 million people visit this center every year: â€œMillions of people visit our site and become familiar with the centerâ€™s activityâ€.
Chief of socio-political department of the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said that World War II was the bloodiest and most terrible war in the history of humanity, though 67 years have passed, the war is still being studied: â€œEven after 100 years, this war will be remembered and learned not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The Azerbaijani people were one of the main nations, who struggled against the fascists. More than half of 645,000 Azerbaijanis, who went to the war, were killed. Azerbaijan also undertook the main part of the fuel supply of military technology and aviation.â€

Ali Hasanov said that different nationalities live in our country, Azerbaijan has always been distinguished for its hospitality and tolerance. He said that some forces are still not able to draw a lesson from the tragedies that took place during World War II. Hasanov said that the Azerbaijani people also underwent genocides. He mentioned Khojaly and Guba tragedies.
â€œAzerbaijan is pursuing policy of tolerance against ethnic and national discrimination. We consider that the more languages are spoken, the more nations live in the country, the richer this country isâ€, he said.
Scientists and experts from Germany, US, Ukraine, France, UK and Azerbaijan and representatives of diplomatic missions are attending the symposium.
The event is being continued.