On January 20, students of the Department of Document Studies and Information Activities of KhAI took part in the official event of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Kharkiv, dedicated to the tragic events of Black January in Baku (1989) - a symbol of the struggle of the Azerbaijani people for freedom, dignity and state sovereignty.
During the event, students had the opportunity to talk with the Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan in Kharkiv, Afgan Salmanov, and the head of the Kharkiv Regional Society of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian Friendship "Dostlug" Murad Omarov, as well as to directly get acquainted with the practices of cultural diplomacy and various forms of presenting historical memory - through an exhibition of photo documents, a lively intercultural dialogue and watching a thematic film.
Acquaintance with such practices is extremely valuable for students both in educational and professional dimensions. As part of the educational task, they analyzed the types of documentation involved in organizing the event, identified manifestations of national specificity, evaluated the chosen communication format and its effectiveness. Of particular importance was the awareness of the role of culture as a “soft power” in defending the right of each nation to its own identity, language and historical memory.
In the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine, such cultural initiatives are becoming particularly relevant. They strengthen ties between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, based on the common experience of resisting imperial violence, violation of sovereignty and attempts to devalue national culture. It is through the preservation of memory, mutual support and intercultural dialogue that a space of solidarity is formed in the struggle for freedom and independence.