28 May - Republic Day in Azerbaijan

Just like any child who wants to get independent and do everything as he considers appropriate starting well once he/she is one year old or maybe earlier, historically every nation struggled for its independence. Just like in communities one can sometimes witness that one bullies the other and doesn't really strive for the best of all but mainly dear self, in empires as well smaller nations suffer and as a result of constant and continuous undermining live through risks of losing its self-esteem, pride and belief in its future. Thus when in 1920, 2 year old Republic of Azerbaijan was invaded by Soviet Army (I am mentioning only modern history) and for more than 70 years had a brainwashing that it is not good enough or intelligent or capable enough (with thousands repressed and frightened) to represent itself, its history, culture and development, it would naturally take a while for young Republic to regain its confidence, appreciation and love towards its essence...

28 May is the Republic Day in Azerbaijan. This year we see many more young people carrying proudly the flag and celebrating the holiday. Our young Republic just like a growing child is getting more confident with more knowledge, new skills and every new achievement. Azerbaijan longed to represent itself, to talk about itself independently not just listening as an observer how someone else would do it on its behalf...

In 2012 Azerbaijan as the winner of Eurovision 2011 will host the contest in Baku. In Azerbaijan when someone visits the other's home the first thing he/she hears would be "Xoş gəlmisiniz" what is translated as "Welcome" - meaning - welcome to my home...This is said no matter how often one visits the other. Thus we say to Europe "Welcome to Azerbaijan" - land of fire, music, hospitality and joy, oriental wisdom, tolerance and kindness…(sorry but can't get modest today...only praise comes into my mind :))

With best wishes from Azerbaijan...be well...

My earlier posts on 28 May can be read as follows (yr. 2008, yr. 2009, yr. 2010).

9th of May - Victory Day in Azerbaijan...our Nurmammad baba...

Recently I was at friend’s birthday party where grandfather of the family was also present.

"Nurmammad Ahmadov was born in 1925 in Sheki. In 1942 his birth certificate was torn apart and birth date re-registered as 1924 so that he would be grown enough to go to war"...At that war as all other young people he lost his youth…he also had a severe injury on his hands. What he did not lose is his faith and love towards humanity and life.

He said that for victory day young journalists in Sheki came for an interview and he still wasn’t able to talk without tears…he was telling that journalist girl hugged him and kissed him asking not to cry…"they reached Stavropolskiy kray and next task was to free the village. They moved in the forest through swamp for two days. Frost reached -32° Celcius at night. His hands and feet got frozen. He lost his fingers on right hand and left hand fingers were also damaged harshly."

Nurmammad baba (baba means grandfather in Azeri) is 86 now and is one of the most literate company one could find…he would recite you poems and bring quotes from books of various authors in most different subjects...his eyes don’t let him read that much now but passion while reciting reveals his thirst for literature…His passion is not only literature but also checkers and chess. "After rehabilitation in the hospital and back in Sheki he rewrote twice the books of Azeri classic M. S. Ordubadi "Sword and Pen" and Russian writer V. M. Kojevnikov "Sword and Shield" in order to learn writing with his left hand. After he graduated from Economics University with honors and became a successful professional in his field. He also participated in Republic checker championship in 1962 and got the title of "Candidate Master". In 1965 in tournament organized by capital city of Moscow at that time with participants from Baltic States and three Republics of Caucasus he got the title of "chess master of 1st grade". Nurmammad baba is happy husband, father of three, grandfather of seven and great grandfather of one."

In Azeri we have a wonderful word describing people - “nürani”. This is word that we use about mostly aged people that shine from within…His name is Nurmammad…when he was born his parents must have felt that this “nur” i.e. light that every child is born with would stay with their son for his life time…

War must be the extreme memory that he and many veterans have. To all other events in life they must be approaching with wisdom and tolerance remembering extremes that people and life in general could go to. Nurmammad baba was telling how happy he is for every opportunity of young people, how proud he is for every achievement of everyone and how lucky we are with amazing developments around us. And in all this there was no pathos or patronizing…only wisdom, calmness and love of a humble and again very wise gentleman…

People like Nurmammad baba are gems of not only Sheki or Azerbaijan but I would say of our whole planet…one post is just one post…it’s pity for me to see that knowledge and memory of years are not recorded properly or maybe they are...it’s not like I am following all. In any case I decided to write at least this short note to express even partially my adoration and respect towards Nurmammad baba and to every veteran who played/plays role in bringing peace and wisdom to our lives and planet. God bless…

a bit official photo that doesn't really convey Nurmammad baba's character...once war was over life had a lot to offer to everyone including Nurmammad baba...
P.S. my earlier posts on Victory Day can be read here and here.

May is in the air...

May has come and nature is continuing to flourish…April has been quite rainy in Baku and Sheki but in May even rain smells spring. Last week I had a very short runaway to Sheki to participate at a family wedding. On my way there I took some photos that I want to share with you today.

Spring is usually short in Azerbaijan and gives in too quickly to warm and after hot summer. Many or I would say most of us are too engaged with everyday routine…At some point when we raise our eyes we notice that many trees have already welcomed spring and are awake and green…and we think to ourselves “when did that happen?...”…this is true for so many things in life…

Stop a minute…Enjoy spring…Enjoy May…

All three photos (except for last fourth one) were taken from car window...I say I was lucky to catch these ))

Stop a minute…Enjoy spring…Enjoy May…