Consulate General of Azerbaijan
Los Angeles
The Republic Day of Azerbaijan in California
Contact: Elman Abdullayev
June 5, 2009 – The Consulate General hosted several Republic Day events celebrating the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, the first parliamentary democracy with a predominantly Muslim population. Importantly, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was also among the first in the world to grant universal suffrage to men and women alike regardless of their ethnicity, race or religion.
Speaking at the May 28 reception in Los Angeles, LA County Sheriff Lee Baca shared impressions from visiting Azerbaijan and expressed his appreciation for the pragmatic, independent policy of President Ilham Aliyev. Sheriff Baca also presented a congratulatory certificate from the Office of the Sheriff. From LA County, Deputy Chief of Protocol Lourdes Saab congratulated Azerbaijan on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors. Official greetings also came from the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Irvine as well as from the governors of Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. In his letter, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger noted that the Azerbaijani-Americans “enrich our communities and enhance California’s blossoming diversity”, while New Mexico’s Bill Richardson emphasized Azerbaijan’s role as “America’s reliable friend in the strategically important Caspian region and a strong ally in combating international forces of extremism.” The City of Los Angeles proclamation was signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, all City Council members and citywide officers.
The Consulate General presented appreciation awards to Sheriff Baca, Ms. Lourdes Saab and an Azerbaijani violinist Sabina Rakcheyeva. Also honored were the Mirvari International Foundation (www.mirvari.org) for humanitarian work helping disadvantaged children, and a renowned Azerbaijani Maestro Chingiz Sadikhov, who celebrated his 80th birthday this year, for his contribution to Azerbaijani music.
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, the Sabina Rakcheyeva ensemble, an international group of young musicians, performed at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles on May 29. On June 1, the Consulate General and local Azerbaijani community activists organized well as a concert and a reception at the La Mirada Art Museum in Monterey. At the event, Vice Mayor Nancy Selfridge presented a proclamation declaring May 28 “The Azerbaijan Day” in Monterey.
