Azerbaijan celebrates State Flag Day

Azerbaijan celebrates State Flag Day today.

TodayPress TV reports that, under an order signed by President Ilham Aliyev on november 17, 2009, november 9 is celebrated annually as State Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since restoring its independence, Azerbaijan’s state flag has become one of the country’s sacred symbols of statehood, representing national sovereignty for all its citizens.

The flag, inherited from the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), demonstrates the nation’s commitment to the ideals of freedom, national and moral values, and universal principles.

The State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted at a meeting of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on november 9, 1918, and held official state status until april 1920. On november 17, 1990, the same flag was adopted as the State Flag of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic during a session of its Supreme Assembly, held under the initiative and leadership of Heydar Aliyev, then Chairman of the Assembly and National Leader of the Azerbaijani people.

On february 5, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan adopted the law “On the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, officially declaring it the country’s state flag. On october 18, 1991, through the Constitutional Act on State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the country restored the state symbols of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, including its national flag, as its successor.

On june 8, 2004, the legislative framework in this area was improved through the adoption of the Law “On the Rules for the Use of the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan”. Under the relevant regulations, the state flag is flown above buildings belonging to government institutions and diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan. It is also raised during major international events, official ceremonies, prestigious gatherings, large-scale public and political meetings, cultural events and sporting competitions, symbolising national unity.

Following amendments to the Labour Code in november 2009, november 9 - State Flag Day - was included in the list of official public holidays designated as non-working days.