January 13th commemoration in Baku with a screening of the film "Emilia of Liberty Avenue"
On Monday, 13 January 2025, Baku hosted a screening of the film "Emilija iš Laisvės alėja", dedicated to honoring those who died for the freedom of Lithuania and commemorating the 34th anniversary of the January 13th.
Ambassador Kęstutis Vaškelevičius greeted the Lithuanian community, the faculty and students of Khazars University, and representatives of Azerbaijani media and culture.
"January 13th was a painful tragedy. But those who sacrificed their lives on the night of January 13th were victorious , as they achieved their dream: their sacrifice helped to defend Lithuania's freedom, inspired other nations to fight for freedom, and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Empire. Therefore, as we honour the fallen, we also celebrate freedom," the Ambassador said.
Lithuania felt the strong support of the international community during the fateful days of January 1991, as well as the strong solidarity of the Azerbaijani people. Newspaper reports and support in Baku after January 13, the active participation of the Azerbaijani community in Lithuania in rallies and vigils at the bonfires of freedom, remind us of the strong ties that bind our peoples. Among the wounded were two Azerbaijanis, Famil Shiukyurov and Ilkin Dadashov, who were awarded the January 13th Commemorative Medal for the defence of Lithuania's independence.
The Ambassador noted that it is symbolic that both countries - Lithuania and Azerbaijan - commemorate the Defenders of Freedom Day in January. Soviet tanks used military force against peaceful citizens in the streets of Baku on 20 January 1990 and in Vilnius on 13 January 1991. By killing civilians in Vilnius and Baku Soviets had very similar goals- to intimidate and to silence our peoples, to deny us the right to live in freedom. Sovietsdid not succeed. They failed because our people's unity and the quest for freedom was stronger than occupational military force. This is an inspiring history lesson, which reminds us today to believe in Ukrain‘e victory, and do even more to help Ukraine, which is currently fightingfor freedom," said Mr. Vaškelevičius.
The film has been subtitled into Azerbaijani and made available to Azerbaijani audiences as well. During the event, the Lithuanian Ambassador presented certificates of appreciation to Milana Abbasova, Head of the Department of English Language and Literature at Khazar University, and to the students of the University who translated the film into Azerbaijani.
