It is a fact that not every nation has been destined to establish an independent state. In our time, as well as in history, there are and have been so many nations that were condemned to live in the shadow of captivity, never tasting the flavor of freedom. In this sense, the Azerbaijani people are a happy people. Our nation, with its own independent state and statehood traditions, is today one of the countries whose voice is heard in the world. Our state, considered the strongest in the region with its economic, political, and military power, is the meaning of our existence.
Every Azerbaijani must protect our state and our State Symbols, which are the meaning of our existence and the purpose of our life. One of the State Symbols of the Republic of Azerbaijan is our Tricolor flag. Our Flag, embodying Turkism, modernity, and Islamism, is sacred to us. As a sign of respect and reverence for our Flag, November 9th is celebrated annually as Flag Day. By the Decree signed by the Victorious President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, on November 17, 2009, November 9th is celebrated annually as State Flag Day in the country. The celebration of State Flag Day is connected with the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
The tricolor State Flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was first adopted on November 9, 1918, in Baku, at a government meeting, and raised over the building of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic where the meeting was held. On October 18, 1991, with the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the Republic of Azerbaijan, as the successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, restored its state symbols, including the State Flag. Since that day, our Tricolor flag has been waving in the skies of Azerbaijan, never to be lowered again. For our flag to wave perpetually in the skies of our homeland, a great responsibility falls upon us as citizens. To unite closely around the Head of State, to be a patriot of the Motherland, a true Azerbaijani! In our changing world today, there is one unchanging truth: no one will own those who do not own themselves.
To own ourselves, we must show special respect for our state symbols. As our President Mr. Ilham Aliyev said: “Our flag is our heard voice, our felt breath. Our flag is our source of pride.” After the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence, the State Flag of Azerbaijan became one of the sacred statehood symbols for all citizens of our country, as a symbol of national sovereignty.
Nicat Jafarov;
Neftchala district