October 4 is one of the most glorious days in the recent history of Azerbaijan—the day when the first great victory was achieved in the Patriotic War, which symbolizes the honor and dignity of our people.
Four years ago on this day, the mighty Azerbaijani Army, under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, liberated Jabrayil city and some villages of the district from the occupation.
Jabrayil became the first veteran city of the Patriotic War. Day by day, hour by hour, our Army struck devastating blows to the enemy and liberated our lands. On July 31, 2023, the head of state signed an order to perpetuate the historic victory achieved in the Patriotic War and to establish the days of cities liberated from occupation. This order proclaimed October 4 as the Day of Jabrayil City.
On October 4, a holiday event was held in Jabrayil under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, other officials, prominent cultural and scientific figures, a group of Jabrayil residents who returned to their homeland under the "Great Return" program, and members of the media. First, the participants viewed the exhibition, which consists of several sections and is located in the reconstructed central square of the city. The photo exhibition "On the Wings of Time. Jabrayil," supported by the Union of Photographers of Azerbaijan, shows the pictures of Jabrayil from the photo archives, as well as the depictions of its contemporary environment and reviving life. Meanwhile, the painting exhibition titled "My Homeland. Jabrayil" presents works of art by both visiting and local artists, highlighting Jabrayil's landscapes and monuments through the artists' interpretations. The exhibition features carpets and carpet products woven using traditional methods from the permanent collection of the National Carpet Museum, presenting examples from the Jabrayil Carpet School. Traditional carpets such as "Gasimushagi," "Karagoyunlu," and "Bahmanli" from Jabrayil are exhibited. The exhibition entitled "Our Heritage. Our Soul. Khudafarin" has attracted special interest. The Khudafarin bridges, a symbol of Jabrayil, have been important commercial and economic monuments for centuries, connecting the two banks of the Araz River. These bridges reflect key elements of medieval Azerbaijani architecture.
During the exhibition, a group of artists worked on a small replica of the Khudafarin bridges with its 11 spans. The model not only highlights the ancient history of the bridge but also shows the distinctive style of the participating artists. The Azerbaijani kelaghayi serves as a common motif, symbolizing a red line connecting the 11 spans.
In addition to displaying a fine example of our national heritage, this section emphasizes the importance of the Khudafarin Bridges in the development of the historic Silk Road. Meanwhile, a literary and artistic composition by the Shusha State Musical Drama Theater was presented in a special section of the exhibition hall. The composition was written by the poet and dramatist Ilgar Fahmi, the secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, and included mainly the works of authors from Jabrayil district. After the exhibitions, the participants enjoyed a rich concert program.
The presenters gave information about the Patriotic War and emphasized that the glorious victory won in 44 days is written in golden letters in our history. Then the music came to the fore. In the program celebrating the Motherland, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed the dance "Karabagh," the Orchestra of Folk Instruments played "Holiday Suite" by Vasif Adigozelov, and Honored Artist Yagut Abdullayeva sang Bahram Nasibov’s song "Karabagh." Additionally, Honored Artist Ilkin Ahmadov performed the folk song "Azerbaijani Deer," Ashug Agshin Tariyeloghlu presented "Ovsharı," and singers Vusal Zamanov, Gullu Muradova, and Ravana Gurbanova rendered "Karabagh Shikastesi." Honored Artist Gulustan Aliyeva also performed "Jabrayil" by Mammadbaghir Baghirzadeh, and Zahid Guliyev sang Ibrahim Topchubashov’s song "The Fog in the Mountains Is Beautiful." In the concert, singer Taleh Huseynli performed "My Jabrayil" by Elnur Shahmarov, while Ilhama Gasimova sang Elsa Ibrahimova's "O Motherland." People's Artist Azer Zeynalov presented Fikret Alizadeh's "My Motherland," and Sona Azizova performed "Everybody Knows That You Are Mine." The Sazanda ashug group presented Dirili Gurbani's "Bayati-Shikasta." People's Artist Samir Jafarov performed Javanshir Guliyev's "This is Motherland," and the "Renaissance" children's choir sang "Azerbaijan" by Rauf Hajiyev. The Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble also performed the "Zangezur Yallisi." People's artist Malakkhanim Ayyubova closed the concert with a performance of "Long Live My People" by Rauf Mammadov. In the second half of the day, the Azerbaijan State Young Audience Theater staged “Garaja Giz," while the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater performed "Arshin Mal Alan."
The Jabrayil City Day celebrations ended with a stunning performance by the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble. The musical and theatrical performances delighted the hearts of Jabrayil residents recently resettled in their homeland and other guests.
