May 28, 1918, is remembered as a historical triumph of the political will, national dignity and statehood of the Azerbaijani people. It was on that day in Tbilisi that the independence of Azerbaijan was declared by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and our people laid the foundation of the first democratic republic in the East. This event was not only the creation of a new state, but also a historical expression of the ideas of freedom, law, national consciousness and democratic governance.
Although the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic existed for a short time, the philosophy of statehood created by it left an indelible mark on the national memory of the people. After the collapse of the republic, Azerbaijan was included in the Soviet political system and was forced to live for many years under centralized ideological rule. However, the loss of state independence did not mean the complete disappearance of the people's national spirit, cultural identity and historical memory. On the contrary, the idea of statehood, which was established in 1918, continued to live in the minds, culture and spiritual existence of the people.
In this complex historical context, the position taken by Heydar Aliyev during the Soviet period was of particular importance. Although he operated within a rigid ideological system, he tried to protect and develop Azerbaijan's national interests, cultural values, scientific potential and personnel policy within the limits of his capabilities. His activities were distinguished by far-sighted political behavior, strategic management and the philosophy of protecting national existence rather than open confrontation.
From a scientific point of view, this approach shows that the national idea does not live only with political statements. The national idea is protected by the education system, science, culture, economic development, management traditions and the training of national personnel. Heydar Aliyev's activities during the Soviet period also created an important moral, political and institutional foundation for the future independence of Azerbaijan in this direction.
In a philosophical sense, this historical path shows one truth: a state may lose its independence at a certain time, but as long as the people preserve their memory, dignity and national consciousness, their idea of statehood does not die. The idea of independence declared in 1918 was not forgotten even in the difficult political realities of the Soviet era. Heydar Aliyev's activities were an important historical stage that served to keep that idea alive in the national memory, to protect the Azerbaijani thought and to prepare for future independence.
Thus, May 28, 1918, should be considered the beginning of the will of the Azerbaijani people for freedom, and Heydar Aliyev's activities during the Soviet era should be considered an important continuation of preserving that will in the historical memory, national consciousness and statehood. 1918 gave the Azerbaijani people the ideal of statehood, and Heydar Aliyev served to ensure that that ideal was not forgotten in the most difficult political conditions of the time and that it lived on for future independence.
David Seliverstov
Head of the Caucasus Office of the Global Solidarity Council, international human rights activist, head of the Azerbaijani office of the Caucasian Jewish Association
