Exhibition over Baku liberation anniversary gets underway
By Nigar Orujova
The Turkish Embassy in Baku has organized a photo exhibition at Azerbaijan's National Museum of History dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the liberation of Baku from the Bolsheviks and Armenian forces by the Turkish Islamic Army.
The exhibition was co-organized by the Turkish Embassy and Turkish Culture Centre named after Yunus Emre with the assistance of Prof. Mehmet Rikhtim from Qafqaz University. The exhibition will last for a month, until October 16, and entry is free.
The National Museum of History showcases exhibits displaying the heavy loss of the Caucasus Islamic Army, and at the same time the glorious, life-saving campaign valiantly fought against the powerful troops of the enemy.
The exhibition reflects the events spanning from November 1917 to September 1918.
The exposition includes over 100 items of the Museum fund, as well as a private collection of Mehmet Rikhtim. Some 20 information panels, relevant photos, paintings, and mockups provide visitors with visual demonstration of the political life as well as military action and all the events of the mentioned period.
The photos include not only officers of the two armies, but also the everyday life of ordinary people. A large map shows the path of movement of the army.
An exposition of arms also reflects the spirit of the time, displaying not only firearms of the early 20th century, but also long knives, sharp, curved swords, which have attracted particular public attention. In addition, samples of then national army uniform were also presented.
Director of the Museum Naile Velikhanli said a parade of Turkish and Azerbaijani military units was held in Baku 95 years ago, on September 16, to mark the city's liberation.
This is a significant date in the history of the country. Thanks to the fraternal assistance of the Turkish people and the Islamic Caucasus Army led by Nuru Pasha, the territory of a number of Azerbaijani regions and Baku was liberated from the invaders. After that, the city became the capital of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
Turkey's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ismail Alper Coskun said that 95 years ago Turkish and Azerbaijani soldiers fought side by side. Despite enormous difficulties, the Ottoman Empire honorably fulfilled its duty and provided assistance to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.
Coskun also presented diplomas and memorable gifts to the participants of a writing contest dedicated to Nuru Pasha.
The event was attended by the Caucasus Muslims Office chairman Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, MPs, diplomats, historians and public figures.
In 1917, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Azerbaijani people had a real chance to gain national statehood. However, Armenian chauvinists with the support of the Bolsheviks under different pretexts unleashed a massacre and embarked on interference, threatening the independence of Azerbaijan.
In March and April 1918, Armenian chauvinists committed genocide against Azerbaijanis, killing over 50,000 people.
This dangerous situation essentially posed an open threat to the survival of the Azerbaijani nation. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, established on May 28, 1918, decided to create military units titled "Muslim Corps" to counter the Armenian-Bolshevik aggression.
With the help of the Turkish military the united Islamic army in fierce battles first defeated the Armenians and Bolsheviks, later the Central-Caspian Dictatorship and the Armenian and English forces at the end.