Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

This week Azerbaijan will mark the 26th anniversary of the tragic events of January 20, 1990.

The country’s leadership already approved the plan of events on the occasion of the tragedy’s anniversary.

To bring the truth about the January 20 to the world nations, Azerbaijan’s embassies, diplomatic missions and Azerbaijani communities abroad will hold several events.

The government will render the humanitarian aid to the families of the victims. Moreover, the country’s major religious confessions will hold special religious ceremonies dedicated to the victims.

The Culture and Tourism Department of Baku will also host a number of events dedicated to the anniversary of the Black January. Round tables, literary and other events will be held in the houses of culture, music and art schools, libraries, centers and museums.

The Museum Center in Baku will host “Istedad” program, dedicated to the tragedy at 15:00 on January 19.

Since the Azerbaijani nation will commemorate the victims with ceremony of laying flowers at a memorial at the Alley of Martyrs on January 20 the several roads will be closed in Baku.

Traffic Police warns that the transport along the Parliament avenue to the Alley of Martyrs and of Телетеатр tp Mehdi Huseyn street will be completely restricted from 07:00 to 18:00. The citizens will visit the Alley of Martyrs from 11:00 to 19:00. Meanwhile, Baku’s emergency medical care station will operate in emergency mode on January 20.

The memory of the victims of the tragedy will be honored by minute of silence, and ships, cars and trains will sound horns at 12:00.

As a sign of mourning the state flags of Azerbaijan will be lowered in the country.

Hundreds of civilians were crushed or injured by the Soviet troops in Baku on January 20, 1990, on an order from the USSR leadership that was trying to maintain the Communist regime in Azerbaijan and strangle the national liberation movement.

The invasion was launched at midnight and was committed with brutality; even children, women and the elderly were not spared.

As a result of the intrusion of troops into Baku and regions of the country, 133 people were killed, more than 700 wounded, and about 800 illegally arrested.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz