On 25th February, 2014 presentation ceremony of web-portals 26FEVRAL.AZ and 26FEBRUARY.AZ within the framework of the project realized with MIRAS Social Organization with IMAGE Company was held.
Member of MIRAS Board, Professor Gafar Jabiyev opened the event and welcomed the participants. He called on everyone to have one-minute-silence for Khojaly victims.
Gafar Jabiyev expressed his gratitude to all participants and shared some thoughts on Armenian people. He said: “Armenians are such imperfect people that did not afford to inhabit anywhere up to now. Since they are cunning, treacherous and insidious, they are expelled of their places. Armenian historians therefore write about not the state’s history, but about the people”. Armenian slyness, their illusions to establish the state “from sea to the sea” lasted for centuries. The speaker analyzing Gulistan treaty, Armenian policy of Tsar Russia and the Soviet Empire stated that Karabakh war, Khojaly tragedy are the result of that. Khojaly, which gained the city status, which population increased and young families provided with the houses was exposed to the massacre by 366th regiment on night 25 February to 26 February, 1992 and was razed to the ground. This event remained beyond the Khojaly scale and turned to national tragedy of Azerbaijan and Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict happened repeatedly over the history, was included into the range of tragedies ended in bloodshed. Gafar Jabiyev stressed the urgency of objective estimation of this tragedy, bringing notice of the world Khojaly tragedy and the activity in this direction. He gave as example the work done by vice-president of Haydar Aliyev, Leyla Aliyeva in the line of recognition of Khojaly genocide, “Justice for Khojaly” campaign, and the printed books, stated already most countries accept Khojaly tragedy as a result of the implemented works.
Several videos placed on 26FEVRAL.AZ web-portal, were shown. After stories-videos which were watched with impressions and excitement by auditorium, chairman of MIRAS Organization, PhD Fariz Khalilli thanked to all guests and noted 26FEVRAL.AZ web-portal is the second project together with IMAGE Company. “Our first work was “Khojaly time” film that is used today as educational resource in most places. Historical and cultural importance of Khojaly city was reflected there and this is shown in most counties of the world and Diasporas. Our joint second project with Teymur Najafzade is devoted to Khojaly tragedy and based on the stories shared by people witnessed this tragedy. This is the most difficult project which we worked up till now. The question here is human destiny, feelings of tragedy victims. We thank to all people helped us. The ‘Don’t forget’ and ‘how can we forget this’ phrases are sounded very often in the project. Before I thought that it is impossible. But some days ago fourteen Khojaly pupils whom we invited to Medieval Agsu Town Archaeological Tourism Complex and conversation with two teachers of theirs encouraged us. The children born after that tragedy heard about this massacre from their parents, relatives and teachers. Thus, we are in rightful direction and try to make not to forget forgetfulness. It is very hard to talk with people who live in various regions of our republic and unwilling to recall that and our video-recording were very difficult. MIRAS members helped the team willingly in producing the film, English translation and preparation of titres. The project will continue till the year end and when we addressed the community, we indicated not only Khojaly people, but also every person having his own tellings about the tragedy can participate in this project. “I want to thank to Khojaly city Executive Power; Shamil Sabiroglu, the chairman of Social Organization for Khojaly Tragedy Recognition for the assistance in realization of the project and Azersun Holding for its support”-he underscored and gave the floor to the director of Image Company and the project editor, Teymur Najafzade.
Teymur Najafzade said: “We were routed each time we found and listened to any Khojaly resident. We talked with more than 200 people, but they have already problems with psychology. Generally, we had more than 40 interviewers. Some Khojaly residents did not want to talk about this and return those years and memories. They sometimes spoke constantly; mentioned the names of cat and dogs in their yards in order not to forget and did not even want to wait preparation of the cameras. There were some Khojaly settlers who lost their 20-30 relatives in the tragedy. After each video I myself fell into that emotional situation that I evaded my family not to hurt them. This project had influence on me. I would like much today I could watch the film made by 20-30-year old Khojaly youth and see their Khojaly portrait. I thank you all for coming here today and feel this tragedy with us. I don’t wish that any person, even Armenian could live these feelings”.
Arzu Soltan said that she agreed with those told and called on everyone to share the videos regularly and deliver Khojaly realities to the world.