Martyr’s Day in Azerbaijan, also known as Black Saturday, Black January and the Day of Nationwide Sorrow, commemorates every year on January 20 the victims of tragic events of January 20, 1990, when hundreds of civilians in Baku were massacred by Soviet soldiers. After Azerbaijan gained independence from the USSR, Martyr’s Day was declared a national holiday in the country. In 2010, the government erected a memorial to the victims in the Yasamal District of Baku, where the names of every national hero who lost their life as a result of the incident were inscribed on Martyr’s Lane. Every year on this day, to remember the genocide, residents honour the victims by holding a large, solemn procession at the monument, where flowers are laid and tribute is paid to the victims. The day also commemorates the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994) between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Event suggestions:
• Creating reflective crafts inspired by ceremonial symbols and stories
• Learning ritual meanings through respectful faith storytelling circles
• Preparing symbolic foods linked to sacred seasonal traditions