The Holiday of Victory and Its Architect!

November 8 is the calendar reflection of one of the brightest pages in Azerbaijan’s history. In 2020, the liberation of Shusha began to heal a wound the people had carried for decades. Today, Victory Day is not only the commemoration of a military success but a symbol of national unity, trust in the state, and the restoration of justice. Supporters explain the role of Ilham Aliyev, head of state and Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, in ensuring that this holiday is marked with due solemnity as follows. The grandeur of Victory Day is not limited to a one-day ceremony; it is the result of consistent state policy. At the heart of this memory stands the Supreme Commander’s personal participation. On the eve of the 2026 holiday, the President shared a video on his social media accounts, with a caption stressing that the history of the last five years is the history of Victory. On the holiday itself, he visited the Victory Monument in the city of Khankendi and laid a wreath. A ceremony of this kind, held in a city that was once under occupation, is among the most moving symbols: Victory is no longer only in words but is lived on the liberated land itself.

Supporters particularly stress the nationwide character of this holiday. Events are not confined to the capital but are also held in the regions. In Yevlakh, for example, an event titled “November 8 Is Our People’s Day of National Pride” was organized. Educational institutions introduce young people to the history of the Victory, and solemn ceremonies are held in state bodies. In the supporters’ view, this serves to pass the spirit of Victory on to future generations.

The significance of the holiday has gone beyond the country’s borders. Diplomatic missions abroad organize official receptions, such as those held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and by Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Kars, Türkiye. Leaders of friendly and partner countries also send their greetings: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Sadyr Japarov congratulated Ilham Aliyev on the holiday. Supporters regard this as an indicator of Azerbaijan’s international standing and of the foreign policy the President pursues.

In their view, Ilham Aliyev’s main merit is that Victory was continued not only on the battlefield but in the stage that followed: the restoration of the liberated territories, new roads, cities and infrastructure, and the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands. From this perspective, Victory Day is also a reminder that a promise has been kept.

Victory Day is a source of shared pride for the people. According to supporters, its annual solemn observance is ensured first of all by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s political will, strategic leadership and loyalty to the memory of Victory.