THE BELARUSIAN PEACE FOUNDATION TOOK PART IN A REQUIEM RALLY DEDICATED TO THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF TWICE HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION AZI ASLANOV

On January 31, a large Azerbaijani delegation headed by Latif Gandilov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Belarus, visited Vileika. In 2020, the countries of the former Soviet Union celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in the great Patriotic war. The Council of CIS heads of state approved a large-scale plan of events to prepare for and celebrate this important date. One of the first such events this year in Belarus was a solemn Requiem rally dedicated to the memory of twice Hero of the Soviet Union Azi Aslanov-a glorious son of the Azerbaijani people, whose tank brigade liberated the Belarusian city of Vileika. Before the start of the Requiem rally, the guests talked at a round table with representatives of the local administration and public organizations of the vileysky district, including the district branch of the Belarusian peace Foundation. Oleg Begunets, Chairman of the vileysky district Executive Committee, noted during a friendly conversation that vileychans remember and honor the memory of the legendary Azerbaijani General who gave freedom to the city. In Vileika, a street is named after him, a large five-meter monument is installed in the city center, and dozens of commemorative events are held every year on the eve of may 9 and July 3. «The victory of our peoples in the great Patriotic war is common, as is our Memory,» Azerbaijani Ambassador Latif Gandilov said in his address to the vileychans gathered at the monument to Azi Aslanov. — Hundreds of Azerbaijani sons shed blood on the Belarusian land, freeing it, which means that it is also our land. 128 natives of Azerbaijan became Heroes of the Soviet Union, 14 of them received this high title at the liberation of Belarus. We are grateful to villacana that they adequately relate to their heroes. «Live, remember and preserve» – this is the appeal made by the veterans present at the rally to the younger generation. After laying flowers at the monument to the legendary liberator, activists of the Belarusian peace Foundation and other participants gathered in the vileysky cinema to watch and discuss a film provided by the Azerbaijani side about the exploits of Azi Aslanov and even to see minutes of newsreels about «tank Suvorov», as his colleagues called Aslanov. For reference: Azi Aslanov-Soviet military figure, major General of tank troops. He was born on January 22, 1910 in Lenkoran (Azerbaijan). The beginning of the great Patriotic war was met by the commander of the motor transport battalion of the 10th tank division. He fought in Western Ukraine, near Kiev, Kharkiv, and Crimea. He was wounded twice. He received the first title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his exploits in the battle of Stalingrad, where he proved to be a brave and risky commander who made extraordinary military maneuver decisions. During operation Bagration, he commanded the 35th guards tank brigade. Released Pleshchenitsy, Logoisk district, city Vileyka, Barysau and Minsk, also the soldiers of his brigade took an active part in the liberation of Minsk and Vilnius, first entered the city of Tukums and went to the coast of the Gulf of Riga. The enemy suffered huge losses as a result of these actions. For this, Aslanov was presented for the second time to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.