Los Angeles, May 26, AZERTAC

An event marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has been held in Los Angeles.

Organized by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, the event brought together over 400 participants, including elected officials of California and Los Angeles, representatives of the U.S. State Department, Consuls General and Honorary Consuls, faith leaders, media representatives, scientists, cultural figures (including Hollywood celebrity Cheech Marin), members of the local Azerbaijani community, as well as leaders of Jewish, Turkish, Pakistani, Iranian, Korean, Hispanic and other communities.

The event was opened with the performance of national anthems of Azerbaijan and the U.S.

Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev thanked the event participants for attending this special and momentous celebration. He stated that 100 years ago on May 28, 1918, the people of Azerbaijan established the first Republic in their history - the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. He further noted that it was also the first ever secular democracy among all Muslim nations and the first majority-Muslim nation to grant women the right to vote. He stressed that today “under the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become the largest economy in the region, with one of the most competitive economies in the world, implementing energy and transportation projects of global importance.”

“We are all proud that we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our first Republic as a free, independent and confident nation again that has never been as strong and prosperous as it is today. As President Ilham Aliyev recently said, the founding fathers of our first Republic would have been proud to see the present day Republic of Azerbaijan,” the Consul General concluded.

In his remarks, California State Senator Josh Newman expressed his joy attending this momentous celebration and congratulated the people of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani community of California on the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. On behalf of the California State Senate, Senator Newman presented Consul General Aghayev a certificate of recognition.

Gayle Anderson, International Protocol Officer for Las Vegas, and Nancy Selfridge, former City Councilmember of Monterey then presented congratulatory proclamations signed by Brian Sandoval, the Governor of the U.S. State of Nevada, and Carolyn Goodman, the Mayor of Las Vegas; and by Clyde Roberson, the Mayor of Monterey, respectively, to the Consul General Nasimi Aghayev.

It was noted that congratulatory proclamations signed by Edmund G. Brown, the Governor of California, as well as by the cities of West Hollywood, Yorba Linda, Salinas, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles were also sent to the Consulate General of Azerbaijan.

Following the speeches, musical performances by 12-year old Azerbaijani vocalist Nail Gurbanov and dance performances by Namus Zohrabov, Olga Zohrabova and Laman Musayeva were presented. The participants were also treated to authentic Azerbaijani dishes and pastries.