The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) organized a commemorative event on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the January 20 Tragedy to pay tribute to the lives lost during this pivotal chapter in the nation’s history.

The event underscored the significance of January 20 in strengthening national unity, resilience, and the unwavering determination of the Azerbaijani people in their pursuit of freedom and independence.

The event started with welcoming remarks from SOFAZ Deputy CEO, Bahruz Bahramov.

In his remarks, Bahramov highlighted the profound impact of January 20 as a powerful symbol of the Azerbaijani people’s steadfast commitment to statehood and their struggle for sovereignty. He further emphasized the historical importance of these events in shaping the country’s path toward independence.

Following the opening address, the attendees were presented the documentary “The Bloody Saturday Night,” part of the series Following the Footsteps of History. Written by Dr. Mahir Garibov and directed by Mehpare Najafova, the film offered a heartfelt portrayal of the causes and consequences of the January 20 Tragedy, capturing the resilient spirit of the Azerbaijani people. The documentary left a lasting impression on participants.

The event continued with a scholarly lecture by Dr. Boran Aziz, Associate Professor in the Department of Azerbaijani History at Baku State University. Dr. Aziz’s presentation, "The historical perspective of the January 20 Trajedy and its Impact on the national spirit", offered an in-depth academic analysis of the political and social climate of the time. He explored the central role of the January 20 events in Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence and examined their enduring influence on the collective consciousness and national identity of the Azerbaijani people. The lecture concluded with a Q&A session.