INTERVIEWS
Our tricolor is a source of our pride
Q: November 9 marks the National Flag Day in Azerbaijan. How do you think what a flag should mean for a nation?
A: The national flag of Azerbaijan was adopted as a national flag for the first time by the decision of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic dated 9 November 1918, and was used as a state symbol until April of 1920. During the Soviet period of our history, it was replaced with the flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
During the social-political processes ongoing around the Nagorno-Karabakh, the flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was raised unofficially on the present-day Azadlyg Square of Baku on 17 November 1988 with initiative of intellectuals.
This flag was hoisted officially in the territory of Azerbaijan over the building of the Supreme Soviet of Nakhchivan, according to the decision adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated 19 January 1990. Despite the revocation of this decision by the Azerbaijan SSR Supreme Soviet 8 days later, during the session of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on 17 November 1990, chaired by national leader Heydar Aliyev, the flag of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted as the state flag of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. On 5 February 1991, due to demands of Azerbaijani society, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan Republic adopted a decree on national flag, granting the tricolor flag the status of the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On 18 October 1991, the Azerbaijan Republic, having restored its independence by a relevant Constitutional Act, while announcing itself the heir of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the latter’s state symbols, including the national flag.
Q: How is the national flag protected by the law?
A: As you know the parliament adopted a law on the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In June 8, 2004 the Milli Majlis adopted a law of the use of the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The parliament also passed the charter about the national flag. It regulates rules of how the national flag should be used, where it can be hoisted and hung. The flag is a state symbol. It symbolizes national statehood traditions, our national moral values, our self-confidence. So from this point of view this law was particularly important.
Q: How important is National Flag Day from a political point of view?
A: On November 17, 2009 President Ilham Aliyev signed an executive order on the establishment of the National Flag Day. On December 4, the Milli Majlis declared November 9 as the National Flag Day. President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on establishment of National Flag Square in Baku on November 17, 2007.
The creation of the national Flag Square was an expression of special attitude to the national flag. It is one of the landmarks and favorite places of our local residents and guests of the country. The foundation stone for the National Flag Square was laid on December 30 2007 with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev. The inauguration ceremony opening of the National Flag Square took place on 1 September 2010.
Confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records, the flag flies on a pole 162 meters high and measures 70 by 35 meters. The upper part of the Square embraces three hectares and overall the square covers 60 hectares. The square features the state symbols of Azerbaijan (the coat of arms and the anthem) and the map of the country.
The museum features flags and emblems of states existed in the territory of Azerbaijan as well as khanates, constitutions of Azerbaijan adopted in past years, postal stamps, banknotes, orders, medals, flags kissed at the inauguration ceremonies by national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, flag of Supreme Commander-in-chief and ceremonial costumes. The museum also showcases a Guinness World Records certificate for the tallest flagpole, books photographs and flag hung in the embassy of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in Turkey.
Q: Our tricolor is flying outside influential international organizations. It is a source of great pride…
A: Yes, we can say with confidence that the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan is flying outside the most influential international organizations. It is also raised at high-profile sports tournaments, world and European championships, Olympic Games, cultural, humanitarian events.
But the situation was completely different in the first years of independence when our country was hardly recognized. I was a member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. When were visiting foreign countries everybody was just looking at our badges and asking where we were from. Azerbaijan was not popular, and only few people could recognize our country through our flag.
But today the picture is completely different. Azerbaijan is a powerful, independent state. I`m now a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. It includes delegates from 12 countries. And when they want to raise any issue they first of all contact us to learn our opinion.
Azerbaijan enjoys its say in other international organizations too. We are proud of independent Azerbaijan. For this independence we owe to ideas and strategy of national leader Heydar Aliyev. And this policy is today being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.