Azerbaijan`s flag raised in New York to celebrate Republic Day
Baku, May 30 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) by a traditional flag raising ceremony held near the landmark Charging Bull statue in New York`s Bowling Green Park. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Turkey to the United States, H.E. Namik Tan, the Consul General of Turkey in New York, H.E. Mehmet Samsar; representatives of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations; President of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), Gunay Evinch; and other distinguished guests from Azerbaijani, Turkish and Jewish communities.
In her opening speech, ASA President, Tomris Azeri, greeted the guests at the ceremony and outlined the importance of May 28th in the history of Azerbaijan. She noted that Azerbaijani people have rich historical tradition of statehood, and that ADR established on May 28, 1918 became the first secular and democratic republic in the Muslim and Turkic world.
Addressing the guests further was the Ambassador of Turkey to the U.S., H.E. Namik Tan. He extended greetings to Azerbaijani people on the occasion of Republic`s Day, and noted that May 28 is not only a holiday for Azerbaijan, but also an important date for Turkey as a celebration of the unique achievement by the fraternal Turkic people of Azerbaijan.
Speaking further, the representative of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, Yusif Mammadaliyev, greeted the community members and thanked distinguished guests for joining the event. He emphasized that the modern Azerbaijan Republic benefits from the heritage and achievements of ADR.
In conclusive remarks at the ceremony, ASA`s Director for Community Relations, Emin Hasanov, noted that the history of Azerbaijani statehood and the heritage of ADR remain to be a source of a great inspiration for many young people in modern Azerbaijan. He also indicated that the choice of the Bowling Green Park as a venue for the annual ceremony carries a great symbolic value. It is a place where many Americans fell fighting for freedom and independence of the United States, and similarly, many Azerbaijanis have sacrificed their lives in their struggle for liberty.
By the end of the ceremony, U.S. and Azerbaijani flags were raised under the tunes of respective national anthems. After the event, guests joined the annual Turkish Parade in New York City. ASA prepared a float which featured organizational and national symbols as well as Azerbaijan`s recent victory at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The ASA float moved through the streets of New York as a part of parade procession, playing Ell & Nikki`s winning song "Running Scared", and attracting the interest of New Yorkers.
Established in 1957, ASA is the oldest grassroots organization of Azeri-Americans and the only such community cited in the Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups
######
 |
 |
 |
 |
Other news in this section
