Commemoration of the Victims of the Khojaly Genocide Held in Washington, D.C.
An exhibition and requiem concert titled “From Darkness to Light”, dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, was held in Washington, D.C., United States. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States.
The commemorative evening brought together ambassadors of several countries accredited to the United States, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the local community, and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora.
As part of the program, an exhibition entitled “The Cry of Khojaly” by prominent Azerbaijani artist Nazim Mammadov was presented. The exhibition featured works reflecting the pain, tragedy, and human suffering resulting from the events of February 1992. The artist worked on the collection for ten years, regarding it as both a creative endeavor and a civic mission.
In his remarks, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States, Khazar Ibrahim, underscored the importance of preserving historical memory. He emphasized that the tragic pages of history must not only be remembered, but also understood as a source of responsibility for future generations.
Dadash Mammadov, head of “Arts Council Azerbaijan” and a public figure, spoke about the history behind the creation of “The Cry of Khojaly” collection, highlighting the profound emotional and creative journey undertaken by the artist. He noted that the series, consisting of more than 40 works, was first presented in 2002 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. The entire collection was later donated to the museum, where it is now preserved. In Washington, D.C, only a small portion of the collection was displayed in the form of reproductions.
Following the official remarks, a concert program by Azerbaijani composer and pianist Turan Manafzade was presented. The program included works centered on themes of remembrance, sorrow, and spiritual strength. During the concert, Konstantin Meldyashev’s video installation titled “Khojaly” was also screened.
