Red Settlement (Qırmızı Qəsəbə), Azerbaijan – On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Museum of Mountain Jews opened a special exhibition dedicated to the Holocaust, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945. The exhibition reflects on one of the gravest tragedies of modern history and highlights the enduring duty to remember, to teach, and to bear moral witness.
The exhibition presents a focused historical narrative that honors the millions of lives lost and the communities impacted, including Mountain Jewish communities in Crimea, Bogdanovka near Mozdok, and Menzhinsk, stories that have often been overlooked in the broader remembrance of the Holocaust.
The commemorative events at the Museum were led by a prominent Azerbaijani-Jewish businessman, Vladislav Yusupov. Speaking to guests, Yusupov emphasized the importance of responsibility, describing the Museum as a place where memory is carefully safeguarded and passed from generation to generation.
The Museum welcomed Amy Carlon, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Azerbaijan, accompanied by members of the U.S. Embassy. The delegation was received alongside German Rashbilovich Zakharyayev, President of the International STMEGI Foundation, and Igor Alexandrovich Shaulov, Director of the Museum of Mountain Jews.
A memorial prayer was recited for the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, followed by the lighting of candles of remembrance. Ms. Carlon underscored the importance of preserving historical truth and confronting antisemitism whenever it is encountered.
The visit concluded with a walk through Red Settlement, including its historic synagogues and the iconic arched bridge, symbols of a living community shaped by memory rather than silence.
The day served as a reminder that remembrance is not merely an act of the past, but a shared responsibility that is carried forward, quietly, faithfully, and together.
