Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

An exhibition "Heritage. Azerbaijan Democratic Republic-100 " opened in the National Art Museum on May 25.

At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture Vahif Aliyev, Chairman of the Artists, Union, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov and others noted that the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR) is a glorious page of national and world history.

The Azerbaijani Democratic Republic was proclaimed on May 28, 1918 and became the first Democratic Republic in the East and the first secular democratic state of the Islamic world.

At the same time, Azerbaijan was the first Muslim state to grant women the vote.

It was stressed that for 100 years the creative work of such great artists as Azim Azimzade, Mikayil Abdullayev, Boyukaga Mirzazade, Togrul Narimanbayov, Sattar Bahlulzadeh, Maral Rahmanzadeh, Khalid Safarova, Javad Mirjavadov, Fuad Abdurrahmanov, Jalal Garyagdi, Tahir Salahov, as well as sculptors Omar Eldarov, Fazil Najafov glorified Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani Democratic Republic, propaganda of the idea of independence, freedom, democratic values, national ideology have always occupied a special place in the work of artists.

Further, the participants of the event viewed the exhibition.

The exposition features works of art selected from the funds of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery and personal collections of artists in particular, archive photos and documents reflecting the history of the Democratic Republic, Trend Life reported.

Moreover, banknotes and postcards of 1919-1920 from personal collection of renowned lawyer Rashid Rzayev are also shown.

Portraits of the members of the National Council who adopted the Declaration of Independence, photographs of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and commanders, the Caucasian Islamic Army, which freed the country from the Russian imperialist and Dashnak aggressors are put on displayed.

A special place among the exhibits is occupied by the maps of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The exposition also showcases photographs of the Bolshevik 11th Red Army which occupied Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on April 28, 1920.

"Heritage. Azerbaijan Democratic Republic-100" exhibition will be open until May 30.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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