On July 22, 2025, a conference entitled “150-year development path of the national press: From the past to the future” dedicated to the “National Press Day” was held by the Pirallahi District Executive Power within the framework of the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty”. The event was attended by the Head of the District Executive Power Vasif Imanov, Deputy Vugar Rahimzade, Head of the Department of Press History and Journalism of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS Vugar Ahmad, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Institute Gulnar Sema, Senior Researcher of the Department of Press History and Journalism Gulbeniz Babayeva, Press Researcher Leyla Mammadova, as well as responsible employees of the Office of the Head of the Regional Executive Power and the Pirallahi District Organization of the New Azerbaijan Party, as well as representatives of departments, enterprises and organizations operating in the region.
Before the event, the head of the Regional Administrative Organization and guests laid flowers in front of the bust of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, located on the first floor of the administrative building of the Pirallahi District Executive Power, and respectfully commemorated his dear memory.
The conference began with the playing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a minute of silence in memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who gave their lives for the territorial integrity of our country, as well as the demonstration of a video clip on the topic.
Then, the deputy of the Milli Majlis, editor-in-chief of the “Iki Sahil” newspaper, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Vugar Rahimzadeh delivered an extensive speech, reflecting on the difficult and honorable path of development of our national press, which was founded with the publication of the first issue of the “Ekinchi” newspaper on July 22, 1875, and emphasizing the unparalleled services of the national leader Heydar Aliyev in the formation of a healthy and professional press in Azerbaijan and ensuring freedom of speech and the press. He stated that the return of the great leader to power in 1993 at the insistent demand of the people opened a new stage in the development of the national press, and the abolition of state censorship in 1998 gave a serious impetus to ensuring freedom of speech and the press and the rapid development of the press.
Then, the Head of the Department of Press History and Journalism of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, Doctor of Philology, Professor Vugar Ahmad delivered a paper and noted that the history of our national press is not only an information medium, but also the spiritual memory of the people and the carrier of national ideology. He drew attention to the fact that the path taken from "Ekinchi" to this day has played an important role in the formation of national thought, enlightenment and the idea of Azerbaijaniness through the press, and emphasized that the scientific research conducted and the monographs prepared on the basis of archival documents are of great importance for researchers and the younger generation.
In her speech, the Head of the Department of Public Relations of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, PhD in Philology Gulnar Sema spoke about the preservation of enlightening traditions in the context of relations between the media and society and the interaction of literature and the press, and especially noted the importance of this harmony against the background of modern information challenges. She noted that enriching modern media with literary and ideological values plays an important role in providing society with sound information and provided information about the projects implemented by the institute in this direction.
Associate Professor Gulbeniz Babayeva, and press researcher Leyla Mammadova made speeches, noting that our national press history has a rich and valuable heritage, and that preserving this heritage and passing it on to the new generation is of particular importance, and they emphasized the importance of both studying classical press examples and investigating their relevance for the modern era. They said that by looking at the path of development of the press, the formation of national values and its impact on the progress of society can be better understood.
Then, the Head of the Department of Press History and Journalism of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, Doctor of Philology, Professor Vugar Ahmad made a speech and noted that the history of our national press is not only a means of information, but also a carrier of the people's spiritual memory and national ideology. He drew attention to the fact that the path taken from "Ekinchi" to this day played an important role in the formation of national thought, enlightenment and the idea of Azerbaijaniness through the press, and emphasized that the scientific research conducted and the monographs prepared on the basis of archival documents are of great importance for researchers and the younger generation.
In conclusion, the Head of the Pirallahi District Executive Power, Vasif Imanov, congratulated all press workers on the occasion of the National Press Day and wished them success in their activities. He noted that the 150-year development path of our national press means a rich historical heritage and great responsibility. Vasif Imanov said that the press is not only a means of transmitting information, but is also the main carrier of the people's spiritual memory and national ideology. Emphasizing that the interviews, speeches and strategic approach of President Ilham Aliyev during the 2020 Patriotic War determined the direction of development of the Azerbaijani media, the head of the Regional Executive Authority added that, as a continuation of this approach, the Global Media Forum held in Shusha at the initiative of the President has become an important event at the international level. Such forums and the President's open communication policy with the media provide a strong impetus for Azerbaijani journalists to grow as more responsible, patriotic and professionals who meet international standards.
At the end of the event, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the national press, a number of individuals who have been effectively active in the socio-political life of the region were awarded Honorary Decrees of the Head of the Pirallahi District Executive Authority.
