Azernews.Az

French composer, Artistic Director of the Orchestre Lamoureux Pierre Thilloy’s work “Khojaly 613” will be performed by Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, Baku on June 5, the French Embassy in Azerbaijan said.

Speaking about the history of this work that was performed in France and other European countries several times, Pierre Thilloy said he visited Azerbaijan for the first time in 2001, heard about the Khojaly genocide and was deeply affected by the tragic event.

“Khojaly 613” was dedicated to the memory of 613 civilians killed in Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992 and is a challenge for peace and prevention of any more such tragedies,” he noted.

In 1992, the town of Khojaly, the second largest town in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, came under intense fire by the Armenian armed forces.

613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 people remains unknown. Civilians were shot at close range, scalped, and burned alive. Some had their eyes gouged out and others were beheaded.

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