Ramil Huseynov

After declaration of the independence of Azerbaijan on May 28, 1918 and establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic together with the State flag and Coat of arms there were implemented certain measures on creation and adoption of the State anthem. On January 30, 1920 the Council of Ministries of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the resolution on creation of the state anthem and state coat of arms; following this resolution the Ministry of Education announced a competition. However, the collapse of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on April 28, 1920 did not allow adoption of the state anthem. On May 27, 1992 Milli Mejlis adopted the Law “On State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan”. According to the Law the “Azerbaijani March” of composer Uzeyir Hajibayov and poet Ahmad Javad, which was created in 1919, was approved as the State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Regulations on the State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan were approved by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 2, 1993.

State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan is performed at the beginning and end of the sessions of Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, when the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan comes to the meetings of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic, at opening and closing ceremonies of solemn events and meetings on the occasion of national holidays, every day at the beginning and at the end of the national television and radio programs, on the occasion of significant historical events in the life of the Azerbaijan people, when opening monuments and memorial boards in honor of the prominent political, state and military leaders, national heroes, science, literature and art people, at the events being held by state and public institutions, entities, bodies and organizations and during other solemn ceremonies, when raising the State flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan and welcoming/seeing off state and national leaders of foreign countries visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan for official meetings. In all cases, the State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan is being performed completely.

National Anthem of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920) The Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic carried out a decision on the development of the National Anthem of the Republic on January 30, 1920 and for this purpose the Ministry of National Education declared a competition. The “March of Azerbaijan”, has been created by prominent composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov and poet Ahmed Djavad in 1919 as the National Anthem of the Azerbaijan Republic. Yet the collapse of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on April 28, 1920 prevented this process. Uzeyir bey Abdul Hussein oglu Hajibeyov – was an Azerbaijani composer, conductor, scientist, publicist, playwright, teacher, translator, and social figure. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani classical music and opera. Uzeyir Hajibeyov composed music for the National Anthem of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (also the anthem of the modern Republic of Azerbaijan) as well as the State Anthem of Azerbaijan SSR Ahmad Javad Akhundzade – was an Azerbaijani poet. In 1918 he became a member of the Musavat Party, and later became a member of the central committee. Javad was also the leader of the Musavat Literature Union (‘Yashil Galamlar). He was arrested and executed in October 1937 for being a “counter-revolutionary”. Javad is best known for writing the words of the Azerbaijani National Anthem, as well as several poems.

Music by : Useyir Hajibeyov

Words by : Ahmed Javad