February 26 - Khojaly Genocide Remembrance Day

On the night of February 25–26, 1992, the tragedy of Khojaly entered the history of the Azerbaijani people. Armenian armed forces, with the direct participation of the former Soviet Army’s 366th motorized rifle regiment stationed in Khankendi, attacked Khojaly, grossly violating all norms and principles of international law. Civilians were subjected to unimaginable cruelty. Within a few hours, 613 people were brutally killed, hundreds were wounded, and 1,275 were taken hostage. The fate of 150 of them remains unknown to this day.

Although the Khojaly tragedy is remembered as one of the bloodiest pages of Azerbaijan’s history, our people never lost their will to fight. On September 27, 2020, the 44-day Patriotic War began and ended with the glorious victory of the Azerbaijani Army, liberating our lands from occupation and restoring historical justice.

Return to Khojaly

After the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, major changes took place in the region, but Khojaly still remained under separatist control. On September 19–20, 2023, the Azerbaijani Army carried out local anti-terror operations, taking full control of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, and Aghdara. Thus, Khojaly was officially returned to Azerbaijan’s sovereign administration.

Today, residents are gradually returning to Khojaly, infrastructure is being rebuilt, and the city is undergoing reconstruction. The historic agreements signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia are seen as a symbol of lasting peace, stability, and hope for the future.

Within the framework of the international “Justice for Khojaly!” campaign, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijani Society in Barcelona (ASB) and Casa Azerbaiyán have, since 2015, organized annual remembrance events, awareness campaigns, and flashmobs every February 26, bringing this tragedy to the attention of the local public.

Khojaly Commemoration Events – Barcelona (2015–2025)

2015 – 23rd anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2015 – An awareness campaign was held to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. Participants were informed about the tragedy.

2016 – 24th anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2016 – A flashmob was held at Plaça de Carles Pi i Sunyer.
The same day, at the “Centre Cultural la Casa Elisade,” the award-winning documentary “Endless Corridor”, co-produced by American and Lithuanian filmmakers, was screened.

2017 – 25th anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2017 – Within the framework of the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign, ASB and Casa Azerbaiyán organized a large-scale event titled “Justicia para Khojaly” at Recinte Modernista Sant Pau.
Notable attendees included FC Barcelona lawyer Cristóbal Martell (who represented Neymar and Messi), club board member Joan Manuel Trayter, Dean of the Consular Corps in Catalonia Franca Lorella, Chief Prosecutor of Catalonia José Maria Romero de Tejada, President of the Barcelona Provincial Court Antonio Recio Córdoba, Azerbaijan’s Consul in Madrid Adil Shukurov, Turkey’s Consul in Barcelona Cihan Geleri, and other diplomats and local media.
ASB Chairman Karim Karimov emphasized in his speech that the Khojaly tragedy was not only a crime against Azerbaijanis but against all humanity. Lawyer Javier Medina Ortiz also addressed the event.
Famous footballer Arda Turan sent a video message expressing solidarity with the Azerbaijani people.
The prestigious Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia published a detailed article about the event.

2018 – 26th anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2018 – A commemoration ceremony was held with the participation of the Azerbaijani community. Victims were remembered and the local public was informed about the tragedy.

2019 – 27th anniversary
Brussels, February 26, 2019 – Azerbaijanis living in Spain joined the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign by participating in a demonstration held in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

2020 – 28th anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2020 – As part of the commemoration, victims of Khojaly were remembered, and young people held informative presentations.

2021 – 29th anniversary
Barcelona, February 25, 2021 – Information about the Khojaly tragedy was broadcast on SER Catalunya-Barcelona, Los40 Classic, and Dial Barcelona radio stations. A commemoration event was also held in the city.

2022 – 30th anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2022 – At the Palau de la Música Catalana, a commemorative ceremony was held in honor of the Khojaly genocide victims.
The event was organized with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, participation of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Spain, and the Azerbaijani Society in Barcelona. Diplomats, local community representatives, and Azerbaijani residents attended.
The ceremony began with a minute of silence. A documentary film about the Khojaly genocide was screened.
Speakers included Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Spain, Ramiz Hasanov, and ASB Chairman Karim Karimov.
The event continued with a concert program featuring pianist and composer Turan Manafzade (Honored Artist of Azerbaijan) and the Catalonia Orchestra, performing Azerbaijani and world classical works. An exhibition of photos depicting the Khojaly genocide was also displayed.

2023 – 31st anniversary
Vienna, February 26, 2023 – Azerbaijanis living in Spain participated in a “Justice for Khojaly” campaign demonstration held at Heldenplatz Square in Vienna, Austria.

2024 – 32nd anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2024 – Speakers included Hamid Zeynalov, Counselor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Spain, and Karim Karimov, head of ASB and Casa Azerbaiyán. Later, Dadash Mammadov, head of Arts Council Azerbaijan, presented the works of artist Nazim Mammadov dedicated to Khojaly, including his book “Cry of Khojaly.” A selection of artworks from the 10-year collection was exhibited. The event continued with a concert program. Pianist and composer Sara Amirian Dilruba, Aydan Abbasova, and violinist Angie Harumi Mendoza performed Azerbaijani and world classics.

2025 – 33rd anniversary
Barcelona, February 26, 2025 – The 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was commemorated at Casa Azerbaiyán and organized by ASB. The opening speech was delivered by community member Chichek Zalova, who spoke about the Khojaly tragedy. Another member, Naile Adilqizi, shared reflections on those difficult days and presented her victory-inspired song “Ulu Dövlət.”
Videos prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, including the clip “Ulu Dövlət,” were shown. Young Azerbaijani pianist and composer Sara Amirian Dilruba performed her symphonic work “Cry” dedicated to Khojaly, as well as “Elegy.”

Khojaly Remembrance in Barcelona (2015–2025)
Over the past decade, the Azerbaijani Society in Barcelona (ASB) and Casa Azerbaiyán have honored the memory of Khojaly genocide victims with annual events — from flashmobs and film screenings to exhibitions and concerts. This gallery captures moments from 2015 to 2025, reflecting our community’s commitment to remembrance, awareness, and justice.

On February 26, 2016, the Azerbaijani Society in Barcelona (ASB) organized a flashmob at Portal de l’Àngel to raise awareness about the Khojaly Massacre of February 26, 1992. Through music and performance, participants reminded the public of this tragedy and called for peace, justice, and remembrance for the victims of Khojaly. Raise your voice for #Peace and #Justice.