Events Commemorating the 34th Anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy in Israel

In Jerusalem and Haifa, events were held affirming that the memory of the Khojaly tragedy is preserved in Israel.

Every year at the end of February, representatives of the Azerbaijani community in Israel organize events to honor the innocent victims of the Khojaly tragedy. Thirty-four years ago, on the night of February 25 to 26, 1992, horrific events occurred that still evoke pain and remain an important part of national identity. This year, commemorative actions took place in several Israeli cities.

February 24, Jerusalem. One of the main events was a tour of the National Library of Israel, gathering more than 60 participants. The organizer was Eghyana Salman, head of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Israel and vice-president of the “AzIz” Association. The group arrived at the library in the morning, where they were greeted by the institution’s leadership.

Before the tour began, Eghyana Salman distributed informational materials about the Khojaly tragedy. Participants honored the memory of the victims with a moment of silence, emphasizing the memorial nature of the event.

Then the group visited the repository of ancient manuscripts and rare editions, including a manuscript of the poem “Leyli and Majnun” by the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, dated 1602, as well as other unique works. Participants were able to see copies of significant historical and cultural value.

At the conclusion of the library visit, books dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy were gifted, symbolically continuing the memory of the events of 1992 in the intellectual and cultural context of Israel.

In response to a question from our correspondent, Eghyana Salman noted:

“Today, a significant event is taking place in Israel in memory of the innocent victims of the Khojaly tragedy. It was a horrific massacre that claimed the lives of 613 people, mostly elderly, women, and children who were unable to flee. Armenian forces carried out a bloody reprisal there. Every year we commemorate this date in Israel, paying tribute to the innocent victims of Khojaly. And this has been going on for many years.”

February 25, Haifa. At The Krieger Center for Performing Arts, a concert was held in memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. The Haifa Symphony Orchestra performed works by renowned Azerbaijani composers such as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Asaf Zeynally, Kara Karayev, and others. Among the participants were soloist Kamellia Yoffe, violinist Lev Solodnikov, and violist Alexander Kotlyar. The orchestra was conducted by the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Adigezalov, who was specially invited from Baku.

After the concert, Yalchin Adigezalov stated:

“It has been 34 years since that terrible tragedy. The pain remains because we cannot forget those who perished that night. These losses are irreparable: over 600 people, including women, children, and the elderly. Every year Azerbaijan remembers this, organizes events and evenings of remembrance, so that it does not happen again, so that people remember. It is our sacred duty to gather here today. I am grateful to the musicians of the Haifa Symphony Orchestra for their efforts. We presented the audience with works by our best composers and European classics. It is important for future generations to remember the possibility of such tragedies and to value the peace that is very fragile.”

The combination of memorial format with cultural content is not accidental. The display of ancient manuscripts in Jerusalem and the performance of classical music in Haifa became two parts of a whole. This is not only the preservation of historical memory but also a demonstration of the depth and significance of Azerbaijani culture.

The Khojaly tragedy concerns a people with centuries-old literary, musical, and humanitarian traditions. It is through such intellectual and artistic formats that memory becomes not just a simple declarative expression but a deeply meaningful act of respect. Participants in the tour and concert attendees were able to better understand both the tragic pages of history and the richness of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.

Events in Jerusalem and Haifa once again confirmed that the memory of Khojaly is alive in Israel, preserved through words, books, and music—through a culture that bears witness to the ancient people, its spiritual strength, and its aspiration for peace.