The Cambridge University Azerbaijani Society organized an event marking May 28 – Independence Day at Darwin College one of the oldest colleges of the University of Cambridge with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The event was attended by Azerbaijani and foreign students at the University of Cambridge, young Azerbaijanis living in the United Kingdom, representatives of the academic community, Salhat Abbasova, Head of Department at the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Committee staff member Laman Aliyeva, Tayyiba Mehdiyeva, a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The event began with a rendition of the national anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom.

In his opening remarks, Samin Huseynov, a member of the Board of the Cambridge University Azerbaijani Society, welcomed the participants and emphasized the special significance of May 28 – Independence Day in the history of the Azerbaijani people.

In her speech, Salhat Abbasova noted the important role played by young Azerbaijanis living abroad in promoting Azerbaijan’s national values, history, and statehood traditions. She also highlighted the significance of such events in fostering intercultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and friendship.

As part of the event, a documentary on the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was screened.

Nargiz Nahmatova, an Azerbaijani PhD student in History at Swansea University, delivered a presentation titled “Independence Is Not Given: Intellectuals and the First Azerbaijani Republic.” The presentation provided detailed insights into the ideological and political activities of intellectuals in the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the development of democratic values, the role of the first republic in Azerbaijan’s history of statehood, and its influence on the formation of the modern Azerbaijani state.

The event continued with a networking session, during which participants exchanged views and engaged in discussions.