On 4 November, an event entitled “Signatures That Made History: From Victory to the Great Return” was jointly organised by the Department of European Languages and the Department of Foreign Language Teaching Methodology of Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL).

The main purpose of the event was to once again emphasise the significance of Azerbaijan's glorious history of Victory, highlight the special place held by the historic victory achieved in the Patriotic War in the collective memory of the Azerbaijani people, demonstrate the strength of national unity and solidarity, and draw attention to the historical, political and moral significance of the Great Return process to the territories liberated from occupation.

The event was attended by Professor Hamida Aliyeva, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation; Associate Professor Misgar Mammadov, Chairman of the AUL Independent Teachers' Trade Union Organisation; Associate Professor Aynur Budagova, Dean of the Faculty of Philology; Associate Professor Shamsinur Aslanova, Head of the Department of European Languages; Associate Professor Sevinj Huseynova, Head of the Department of Foreign Language Teaching Methodology; Professor Azad Mammadov, Head of the Department of General Linguistics; Associate Professor Ayten Hajiyeva, Head of the Department of English Stylistics; Associate Professor Farah Niftaliyeva, Head of the Department of Azerbaijani Linguistics; Associate Professor Vafa Seyid, Head of the Department of French Language and Grammar; Colonel Habib Mammadov; and reserve Lieutenant Colonel and war veteran Islam Ilham Hajiyev, who participated in the April 2016 clashes, the battles to liberate the Mubariz military post and the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, and was awarded the “For the Liberation of Sugovushan” medal in recognition of his service. The event was also attended by Faiq Jamil Mahmudov, who demonstrated heroism in the battles in the Kalbajar and Fuzuli districts; war veteran Elnur Novruzov; screenwriter Vafa Agazade and Ilhama Guliyeva, as well as academic staff from both departments.

During the event, Professor Hamida Aliyeva, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, spoke about the events that have left a significant mark on Azerbaijan's contemporary history, the heroism and self-sacrifice demonstrated during the Patriotic War, and the national unity, solidarity and patriotic spirit of the Azerbaijani people.

Other speakers noted that the historic Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War embodied the will, unity and determination of the Azerbaijani people to uphold their statehood.

As part of the event, the documentary film “29 Signatures…” was screened. Its concept, screenplay and direction were by Vafa Agazade. The film is a chronicle of collective memory built around the life stories of 29 martyrs from two villages in the Fuzuli district. Covering the period from 1991 to 2020, it brings together the stories of military personnel and civilians who sacrificed their lives for their homeland, tracing the period from the First Karabakh War to the Patriotic War within a unified artistic and documentary narrative. “29 Signatures…” is not merely a collection of individual biographies, but a remembrance of 29 lives inscribed in the destiny of a homeland.

The event also highlighted the importance of perpetually honouring the cherished memory of the martyrs, never forgetting the heroism of war veterans and passing on the history of Azerbaijan's Victory to future generations. Speakers shared their views on the reconstruction and development efforts underway in the liberated territories, the new chapter in the lives of people returning to their ancestral homes, and the place of the Great Return in Azerbaijan's national history.

The event was hosted by Fidan Hajibeyli, a student in Group 252b of AUL's Faculty of Philology and daughter of war veteran Lieutenant Colonel Islam Ilham Hajiyev, and Fatima Rahimova, granddaughter of war veteran Faiq Jamil Mahmudov. They proudly introduced their relatives to the participants.

The event entitled “Signatures That Made History: From Victory to the Great Return” was regarded by participants as a significant initiative in promoting national history, statehood traditions and spiritual values.

It was emphasised that holding such events makes an important contribution to fostering patriotism among the younger generation, preserving historical memory and passing Azerbaijan's chronicle of Victory on to future generations.