Russia, Moscow, 12 May / Trend corr R. Agayev/ "10 May is a very important day for Azerbaijan and Russia nations. The deed made by Heydar Aliyev in January 1990 was not an easy one. That was neither a childish behaviour nor an emotional outburst. That was the voice of one of the Soviet Union's greatest politicians, who knew what he spoke and was aware of the possible aftermath. Now we admire his strategic thinking which requires great human courage. He was a very courageous person," Mikhail Shvidkoy, head of the Russian Federal Agency on Culture and Cinematography, said on 10 May during an opening ceremony of bas-relief of Heydar Aliyev, all-nation Azerbaijani leader, in the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow due to his 85th anniversary.
Shvidkoy said that Heydar Aliyev showed his courage when he took the decision to leave the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union). That was a very difficult and dramatic step. He further showed his courage when he left for his country in self-exile and was observing the on-going events from there. "It required tremendous courage to return to the country in 1993- which was on the verge of national catastrophe. During his leadership years in Azerbaijan he prevented many disasters in the country, which proves that he was a great son of the nation for whom he has created a bright future for many decades to come," he said.
"Thank goodness today you again have an outstanding President - wise, experienced and young. Ilham Aliyev is the son of his father, but the main point is that Heydar Aliyev in that period laid the fundamentals of world's attitude towards Azerbaijan as a new sovereign country in the map. According to Shvidkoi, Heydar Aliyev determined many relations, many alliances and understood well what the alliance with Russia means for Azerbaijan: it is composite and sometimes dramatic- the country must not lose itself and understand at the same time that most can be achieved through the alliance with Russia.
Speaking about the inter cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, Shvidkoy mentioned that Heydar Aliyev very well understood that the Azerbaijani and Russian cultural relations were connected not because of the Soviet authorities, but by the deeper historical roots. Furthermore, there reside countless Azerbaijani Diaspora in Russia and they were a part of Russian life like Russian living in Azerbaijan. "This all demonstrates that Azerbaijan has never been a diehard ethnic country and it always had strong relations and strong Diaspora in the country and abroad as well, Shvidkoy said.
According to Shvidkoy, the greatness of Heydar Aliyev today is that he rescued his country from the national catastrophe. "It should be understood every time when we speak about it. Aliyev knew very well what could happen in the SSSR and naturally the same happened in Baku in 1990s. Heydar Aliyev was a very welcoming person. Today, each country has its own interests - Russia has its own and so does the Azerbaijan. However, we should not forger that there is a strong force in our alliance. But, Aliyev knew that the politic is over and above the personal damages. I believe that both the Azerbaijani and Russian nations should live happily for centuries," Shvidkoy stated.
The size of Heydar Aliyev's bas-relief is 160х105sm. It was ordered by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia and Iskanadar Khalilov rendered his assistance.
The bas-relief made of bronze on granite was made by the sculptor Natig Aliyev and is dedicated to Heydar Aliyev's speech made at Azerbaijan's permanent representation in Moscow on 21 January 1990 because of the 20th January tragedy.