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Azerbaijan commemorates 95th anniversary of the Democratic Republic.

On May 28, in 2013 Azerbaijan celebrated the Day of the Republic, the 95th anniversary of proclamation of Azerbaijani Democratic Republic. However, the busts of the leaders of Azerbaijan ADRs are being destroyed at the same time, the Azerbaijani newspaper "Zerkalo" states.

As stated in the article, Azerbaijan was declared a Democratic Republic on May 28, in 1918, in Tbilisi after the collapse of the trans-Caucasian Federation. It lasted until April 28, 1920, when the Red Army troops entered Baku. On 27 May, in 2013 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the monument erected in Baku on the occasion of the Republic Day, in honor of ADR.

"Meanwhile, the representatives of the opposition periodically accuse the authorities in refusing to perpetuate the memory of ADR politicians. According to them, the authorities have a particularly biased attitude towards Mahammad Rasulzadeh, the founder of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. As evidence they state that there is no park, no square named after Rasulzade in Baku," the article reads.

The officials say that there is a village in Baku that is named after Rasulzade. The opposition, however, does not accept this argument, noting that this village has been named after Rasulzade during the reign of Popular Front of Azerbaijan. The current government, they say, is doing everything to erase the name of Mammadamin Rasulzade from the memory of the people.

"During the reign of Abulfaz Elchibey the busts of Mammadamin Rasulzade were installed around the buildings of the executive authorities of some regions of Azerbaijan. Subsequently, these busts have been demolished under various pretexts.

In particular, Mammadamin Rasulzade’s bust, that was established in 1992 in front of the building of executive power of Aghjabadi district, was taken down under the pretext of restoration in 2000. But instead of restoring it was just buried (mediaforum.az). On 30 August 2012, Rasulzade’s bust, installed in front of the executive power of Sabirabad district in 1992, was demolished too," the “Zerkalo” writes.

Jamil Hasanli, doctor of historical sciences, professor and member of Forum of Intellectuals stated, "We should not forget that it was thanks to them that the word "Azerbaijan", which had a linguistic and geographical significance until 1918, acquired political significance as well. It was due to their efforts that Azerbaijan appeared on the world map as a state."

He described the destruction of Mammadamin Rasulzade’s busts in Azerbaijan as disrespect towards their own statehood.
"Rasulzade is one of those who made history. Therefore, I find the destruction of his busts unacceptable. I believe that the actions of the destroyers of Rasulzade’s busts are appearance of disrespect towards their own history," J. Hasanli stated.

In all regions of Azerbaijan monuments are installed to the former head of the republic, a former KGB General Heydar Aliyev. In addition, about 60 museums in Azerbaijan are called after Heydar Aliyev, the main pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, the international airport, Avenue of Heydar Aliyev, modern education complex after Heydar Aliyev, Heydar Aliyev Palace, the Deepwater plant, Baku Oil Refinery, Sports Concert Complex, Heydar Aliyev Reservoir, the Academy of National Security Ministry after Heydar Aliyev, Highest Military school after Heydar Aliyev, the Lyceum after Heydar Aliyev and so on. The largest state fund in the country is also named after Heydar Aliyev. In addition, in Sadarak district of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic a village called Heydarabad has been settled. Some particularly zealous Azerbaijani officials and admirers of Heydar Aliyev, such as Mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov, suggested even to rename the people of Azerbaijan into Heydarians. During the power of Heydar Aliyev's son – Ilham – who rules Azerbaijan since 2003, the process of "Heydarization" of Azerbaijan received a special scope.