Azerbaijan Victory Day is celebrated every year on November 8th, commemorating the country’s triumph in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The holiday was established by President Ilham Aliyev following Azerbaijan’s military success against Armenian forces.
Initially, November 10th was declared Victory Day, the date when Armenia accepted defeat and hostilities officially ended.
However, out of respect for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s memorial day observed in Türkiye on November 10th, the celebration was moved to November 8th.
This date coincides with the liberation of Shusha, often called the “pearl of Karabakh,” after nearly three decades of occupation.
The capture of Shusha was a turning point in the six-week war and symbolised Azerbaijan’s restored control over much of its internationally recognised territory.
Known as Shushi in Armenian, the city is the second-largest urban centre in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
It had been under the control of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh since 1994, following the first Karabakh war.
The 2020 operation to retake Shusha required intense fighting in mountainous terrain and was pivotal to Azerbaijan’s overall victory.
Victory Day is now marked with military parades, flag ceremonies, and public celebrations across Azerbaijan.
The city of Shusha has since been declared the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, symbolising unity and resilience.
The holiday not only honours military success but also pays tribute to fallen soldiers who made the victory possible.
For Azerbaijanis, November 8th stands as a proud reminder of regained sovereignty and national strength.
