On 23 February 2026, a photo exhibition and conference entitled “KHOJALY: THE VOICE OF THE SILENT THROUGH THE LENS OF REZA DEGHATI” were organized in the Reading Room of the Presidential Library to mark the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy.

The photo exhibition features original photographs by the world-renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati depicting the Khojaly tragedy and the harsh consequences of the war. The documentary images presented in the exhibition serve as historical evidence documenting the horrors of the tragedy and conveying them to the international community.

The event commenced with a one-minute silence in memory of our compatriots who were martyred in Khojaly, as well as during the First and Second Karabakh Wars. Opening the conference with introductory remarks, Professor Afet Abbasova, Director of the Presidential Library, emphasized that the Khojaly genocide constitutes one of the gravest crimes committed against humanity. She noted that this tragedy was not only committed against the Azerbaijani people, but was also a brutal act of genocide directed against universal human values. Professor Afet Abbasova further emphasized that these bloody events were given a political and legal assessment for the first time at the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and that the efforts carried out within the framework of the international campaign “Justice for Khojaly!” continue to yield significant results today.

Within the framework of the event, a video presentation reflecting the tragedy was screened by the Presidential Library.

In their speeches, Mukhtar Naghiyev, Chairman of the Sabail District Organization of the New Azerbaijan Party; Farida Jabbarova, a Khojaly witness; Almaz Hasanova, a member of a martyr’s family and Colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Aziz Boran, PhD in History and Associate Professor at the Department of Azerbaijani History (for Humanities Faculties) of Baku State University; and Sharaf Jalilli, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor and writer-publicist, discussed the historical roots of the Khojaly genocide, the painful testimonies of witnesses, the legal aspects of the crime, and the importance of conveying this tragedy to the international community through visual means.

Renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati provided commentary on the photographs displayed, emphasizing the distinctive role of each image in conveying the Khojaly tragedy to the international community. A short video presentation based on these images was also screened.

Concluding the event with closing remarks, Professor Afet Abbasova stated that today the Azerbaijani people commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy with different emotions. She emphasized that, under the resolute leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, and through the heroism of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, the occupied territories were liberated and the blood of our martyrs was avenged on the battlefield. Professor Abbasova further noted that the raising of the Azerbaijani flag in Khojaly by the Head of State symbolizes both the restoration of historical justice and the honoring of the memory of the victims of the genocide.

This was followed by the screening of a video presentation prepared by the Presidential Library, highlighting the victory of the valiant Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and the Great Return to Khojaly.

During the artistic segment of the event, the choir of the Art Gymnasium performed the composition “Your Name Became History, Khojaly” by composer Oqtay Rajabov, while Narmin Narimanli performed the song “Motherland.”

The photo exhibition entitled “KHOJALY: THE VOICE OF THE SILENT THROUGH THE LENS OF REZA DEGHATI” will remain open to the public until 28 February, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibition may be visited at the Reading Room of the Presidential Library.