Military

APA’s story of the glorious victory – a report from the Victory Museum

"I am happy that we are returning to our homeland,

to our native Karabakh, Shusha - Karabakh's crown jewel,

and we will always live in these lands!"

The story of centuries — Karabakh and East Zangezur

I am at the Victory Museum, which displays the story of the glorious victory and symbolizes the return of the Azerbaijani people to their long-awaited native lands, as well as unity, strength, and perseverance. As soon as a visitor enters the museum, they are met with the “Iron Fist” installation, which became the symbol of the glorious victory and a quote from the speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, along with a wall engraved with the names of our 2,914 martyrs who died in the 44-day Patriotic War.

The moment you step inside, feelings of pride, honor, joy, and also sorrow blend together; involuntarily, you return to five years ago, and 44 days of mixed sadness and joy come to life before your eyes, as if you were watching a movie.

I enter the first hall. According to the guide who welcomes us, the monitors equipped with modern technologies here provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the beauties of Karabakh culture, its architectural richness, and the traditions formed over centuries. The bas-reliefs placed on the walls of the hall reflect the ancient historical monuments of the region, while the video materials talk about the architectural heritage and centuries-old history of Karabakh.

Walking around the hall, the guide introduces us to the interactive books in the center. The books showcase the nature of Karabakh, its literary heritage, music, and folk arts.

She also notes that a special place has been allocated in the book installation on the wall for the contributions of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the socio-economic development of the region: “The screens located at the end of the hall allow to learn more about the lives of prominent figures who left their mark in the fields of statehood, military affairs, literature, and art in Karabakh. This space becomes a symbol of memory that unites Karabakh’s past, present, and the spirit it carries into the future.”

Azerbaijan is our brotherly country

Talking with the guide, we moved to the second hall. As soon as I entered the hall, I noticed a woman looking at the compositions with teary eyes. I quickly asked the guide for permission and approached her:

- Hello, can you share your impressions about the museum with us?

The fragile woman, whose name I still do not know yet, answers in Turkish:

- Yes, with pleasure.

- Are you from Türkiye?

- Yes.

- Is this your first time in Azerbaijan?

- This is not my first time in Azerbaijan. I come here often. This is the second day of my current visit. I also came to the museum yesterday, but I couldn’t get inside because there were many people. I followed the entire course of the Patriotic War. I came to Azerbaijan immediately after the war as well.

- What is your name? Where in Türkiye have you come from?

- My name is Deniz Didem Tuğbа. I came from Istanbul. There is no special reason for my visits to Azerbaijan. I just visit often because I love this place very much.

-It seems you have a special interest in and love for Azerbaijan. It’s noticeable from how emotional you became.

- Azerbaijan is our brotherly country. We also know what it has been through. That’s why I became very emotional. Thank God, today I had the chance to come inside. The museum has been prepared very beautifully. It has been designed in a way that truly befits our Azerbaijan, our Baku.

- Have you been to Karabakh as well?

- I have visited Karabakh. I have travelled all around it. The last time I went to Shusha.

“I had been left lonely without you…”

I thank my Turkish companion for sharing her impressions and approach the guide again. The guide explains that the second hall is called “The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict.” This hall reflects the painful yet unforgettable pages of the Karabakh conflict.

As soon as I enter the hall, a composition symbolizing the destroyed buildings catches my attention. This composition is dedicated to the fate of the buildings destroyed in Karabakh during the occupation period.

According to the guide, the work titled “I had been left lonely without you…”, created from stones brought from Aghdam, symbolizes the rebirth of life despite the destruction.

The guide then points to the large screen and explains that it presents extensive information about refugees and internally displaced persons, the Khojaly genocide, landmine victims, as well as monuments, mosques, and national heritage sites destroyed during the occupation.

“The hall also features information about the historical roots of the conflict, its chronology, as well as the significant role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in the peace process. Facts about the terrorist acts committed by Armenia and the severe consequences of the war are also presented here,” the guide notes.

The 44-day Patriotic War, or the fighting hall 

We conclude our discussion about the second hall and move on to the next one.

The third hall, titled “The 44-Day Patriotic War,” is dedicated to the heroic struggle carried out for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands — the 44-day Patriotic War.

The guide points to the LED monoliths in the center of the hall and introduces me to the video materials created with artificial intelligence. These videos create a combat atmosphere for the visitor. On five vertical monitors, materials related to combat operations, military achievements, and attacks against the civilian population are presented.

Through interactive monitors, visitors can view all the significant events that took place over the 44 days, as well as the President’s addresses to the nation and interviews with the media. With that, I began to watch the short film that had just materialized before my eyes in real form.

“I want to be in Shusha the most.”

“The holographic screens display modern military equipment and soldiers’ gear in 3D format, while the interactive maps in the center sequentially show the stages of the operations carried out in the liberated territories. This hall also exhibits the flags of the branches of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which played an exceptional role in achieving the historic victory, as well as models of the Special Forces of the Armed Forces. In addition, several decrees and orders issued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, regarding the 44-day Patriotic War and Victory Day are displayed here,” the guide emphasizes.

Since entering the hall, I had noticed a young boy watching the monitors with great interest. Before moving to the next hall, I approach him and start a conversation.

- Hello, little one, what’s your name?

I tell the little boy, who is excited when he sees the microphone, to relax and ask his permission to share his impressions of the museum. Fortunately, he agrees.

- My name is Hüseyn Abdullayev.

-Huseyn, which school do you attend?

- I’m a 5th-grade student in class ‘C’ at Secondary School No. 47.

- What did you feel when you entered the museum? What caught your attention the most?

- I felt very proud. What caught my attention the most were these videos (pointing at the monitors- ed.). Oh, and I also really liked the model mosques.

- Have you ever been to Karabakh?

- No, I haven’t been to Karabakh. I want to visit Shusha the most.

- Huseyn, what do you want to be when you grow up?

- When I grow up, I want to be a lieutenant colonel like my father, Gunduz Abdullayev.

I want to ask the brave soldier-to-be about his father as well, but he runs off to his mother, leaving me behind, and I return to the guide. The guide explains that the fourth hall, called “Glorious Victory,” presents the Shusha operation, which holds a special place in Azerbaijan’s military history and was carried out with unparalleled tactical mastery. As soon as we enter the hall, the pride and joy I felt on Victory Day are revived once again. With proud steps, we head toward the Shusha model located at the center of the hall. The Shusha model in the center of the hall reflects the battlefield, while the interactive monitors allow for following the course of the operation and its key tactical moments in sequence.

The guide points to another monitor and explains that the twelve monuments in the city that were destroyed during the war are shown with images from before the occupation, during the occupation, and after restoration: “On the large screen, the emotional course of the glorious victory path is displayed. This hall reflects the liberation of Shusha, as well as the bravery and heroism of Azerbaijani soldiers.”

Schoolchildren were walking around throughout the museum. Around the model, a teacher had gathered her students to take a photo. I approach the teacher and tell her that I would like to talk to a few students.

“What I remember most were the attack tactics.”

The teacher gladly agrees and calls out to young Mahammad: “Mahammad, come here, let’s see what the journalist will ask.”

Mahammad walks toward me with heavy steps, curious about what question I will ask.

-Mahammad, what caught your attention the most in the museum?

-I really liked the model of Shusha.

-What was the most memorable information you learned in the museum?

-I learned new and interesting facts about the war. What I remember most were the attack tactics. Even though it was difficult, our soldiers managed to liberate our lands from occupation. I am proud of them.

-Have you been to Karabakh?

-No. But I want to go. Since I am from Zangilan, I especially want to see Zangilan.

I approached another student after Mahammad.

- Hello little one, what is your name? Which school do you study at?

-Hello, I am Tunjay Mammadli. I study in the 4th grade of school No. 200.

-Tunjay, did you like the museum?

-It is the first time I have gone on an excursion with my classmates. I’m glad that my first excursion was to the Victory Museum.

-What did you like in the museum?

-The Shusha monument.

-Have you been to Karabakh?

-No, but I’m from Karabakh. I’m from Lachin. That’s why I really want to go and see Lachin. Oh, and also Kalbajar.

After saying goodbye to the little friends, we continue our museum tour with the guide. We are slowly approaching the end.

Pointing to the corridor called “The Path of Heroes,” the guide says that this place is dedicated to the bravery, self-sacrifice, and unbreakable will of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers. On the large monitor, scenes depict fighters advancing proudly against the backdrop of a Karabakh sunset.

On the large screens, the joy of Victory that ended the 30-year longing

Here, the orders and medals presented to the heroes who took part in the 44-day Patriotic War are also displayed. This corridor leads visitors to the next hall, which symbolizes the unity of the people and the joy of victory.

We are now in the sixth hall of the museum, the “KARABAKH IS AZERBAIJAN!” hall. This hall reflects Victory Day — November 8, 2020 — which became a national holiday for our people, and the nationwide joy.

The first eye-catching, attention-grabbing thing in the hall is the installation of the Khari Bulbul flower, made from Murano glass, which has become a symbol of the glorious victory and the revival of Karabakh. This Khari Bulbul is so beautifully decorated with bright lights and colors that it both enchants a person and gives the hall a festive atmosphere.

In addition, scenes of the Victory joy that ended the 30-year longing are displayed on large screens here.

Here, too, I found a little friend to talk to. This friend is watching the images on the monitor so attentively that I can’t help but speak to him.

- Are the images interesting?

- Yes, very interesting.

- What is your name?

- Abdurahman Huseynli.

- Abdurahman, what did you like most in the museum?

- I liked everything in the museum. All the halls are interesting. I liked the images on this monitor the most, the models of the mosque in the other hall, the models of special forces and the medals.

- Was there a participant in the Patriotic War in your family?

- Yes, my grandfather Rahim Safarov participated in the Second Patriotic War as a doctor.

- Have you been to Karabakh?

- No. But I would like to. Most of all, to Shusha.

We continue the museum tour from where we left off. We are now in the seventh hall. This hall is called "Restoration of State Sovereignty."

The Little Soldier's Dream

The guide points around and explains that this hall presents the full restoration of Azerbaijan's state sovereignty and the main victories in its modern history: "The full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and the beginning of a new chapter in its history are reflected here. The monitors located here express respect for the dear souls of the martyrs who died before the 44-day Patriotic War and after Victory Day."

As soon as I enter the hall, my eyes are drawn to the little soldier among the visitors. A little boy in a soldier's uniform with a flag in his hand looks with great interest at the small compositions and  asks his teacher questions about everything he sees.

I approach the little soldier and ask his permission to share his impressions. Fortunately, he agrees with enthusiasm.

- What is your name? What school do you study at?

- Mehdi Ahmadzada. I study in the 5th grade of secondary school No. 42.

- Mehdi, what a beautiful soldier's uniform you are wearing.

- Yes, I love soldiers very much.

- What caught your attention the most in the museum?

- The models of soldiers caught my attention the most in the museum. Also, I liked the Shusha hall the most.

- Is there a participant in the Patriotic War in your family?

- Yes, my uncle Faig Suleymanov is a veteran. He fought in the Aghdam and Fuzuli directions.

- Have you been to Karabakh?

- No, but I really want to be there, especially in Shusha.

We said goodbye to the little soldier and headed to the next hall with the guide.

Here we are in the last, eighth hall. The hall is called Karabakh and East Zangezur.

The guide continues to provide information by circling the hall: “The hall is dedicated to the restoration and future development of Karabakh, represents the beginning of a new era. The installation in the center of the hall gives messages of hope for the future of Karabakh with the voices of the children of martyrs.
Three illuminated passages reflect the themes of restoration, ecotourism and development, demonstrating the activities aimed at the reconstruction of the region. Models of cultural, educational and infrastructure projects are presented in each passage. The restoration projects displayed on interactive screens are a manifestation of the revival and sustainable development of Karabakh.”

In addition, a commemorative book for guests is placed at the exit of the exhibition hall. There is also a section called “Talking Photos”. The section displays photographs of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members.

It should be noted that the Victory Museum was established in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated December 3, 2020 “On the Establishment of the Patriotic War Memorial Complex and the Victory Museum in Baku” in order to demonstrate the unparalleled heroism shown by the Azerbaijani people in the Patriotic War and the Glorious Victory they won, and to perpetuate the dear memory of Azerbaijani martyrs.

Recall that the doors of the Victory Museum are open to citizens from 11:00 to 18:00 on other days, except Mondays. The cost of tickets for Azerbaijani citizens is free for schoolchildren, 1 manat for students, and 5 manat for adults. The cost of tickets for foreign citizens is 6 manat for children and 15 manat for adults.

Families of martyrs, war participants, military personnel, and citizens with disabilities of the first and second groups are free to visit the museum.

Photo - Ilkin Nabiyev ©️ APA GROUP

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