First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a post on her official Instagram page on the 100th anniversary of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev.

The post says:

To the bright memory of Heydar Aliyev

10.05.2023. Shusha.

Mysterious and unique Shusha.

The trees with dense canopies, the air smells fresh and clean, and the breathing is like a life-giving elixir. The piercing blue sky.

The narrow cobblestone streets. Destroyed houses and ruins, but ruins that retained their original appearance.

Uncut, thick grass on the roadsides. Red poppies have bloomed in some places.

How to describe the soundscape of Shusha? Sometimes it's absolute, deafening silence. The twittering of birds and the whisper of leaves is the city's breath.

You want to stroll along the streets and lanes, touch the trees and the ancient stones, and erase the traces of bullets with your palm.

You lose the sense of time on the Jidir Duzu plain. What you only see around are the endless mountains and blue sky. You can lie on the grass for a while, and if you're lucky enough, you can also enjoy the silent flight of the eagles and their giant flapping wings as if in slow motion.

How to choose the words to describe your feelings in the magical city of Shusha? Thoughts drift into the past...

The country is on the edge of the abyss, with occupied lands and Shusha, a victim of betrayal.

IDPs, IDPs, hundreds of thousands of IDPs...

Confusion, sorrow and endless pain. It was at this time - in the fall of 1993, you - an elderly man who has suffered a grave illness - began to lead Azerbaijan. As if you and the country suffered together. As if a piercing pain of loss, of injustice, brought you back to the people and the people to you.

Further events were predestined by God. It was followed by a long way to go to the beautiful city of Shusha.

Then there was healing, revival, and rebuilding. We have restored our pride. We have achieved Triumph!

What was destined by the Almighty God was fulfilled thanks to your wisdom, your unshakable, strong will, and your endless love for your Motherland, for each of us.
I remember joyful, bright, exciting memories. These memories are with me, and I will keep them forever.

Your eyes, your smile, your laughter and your tears. The stories you told, the advice you gave, the answers to the challenging questions. Your ability to forgive and to love.

Your resilience, your unbroken spirit, your faith in your people - all of these will remain with us forever.

You hear the voice of Shusha out there in the deep blue sky and send us all your love, your faith in us, in Azerbaijan.

It is no coincidence that today proud eagles are flying in the sky of Jidir Duzu plain.

With infinite respect to You.