Sevda Hidayat Akhundova

VICTORY DAY: HISTORY, ESSENCE, AND SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

 Abstract. Victory Day is regarded as a national event that represents an important milestone in the historical memory of the Azerbaijani people. The 44-day Patriotic War of September–November 2020, which ended in victory, the liberation of a significant part of our lands from occupation, and the demonstra­tion of the military and political power of the state constitute the essence of this holiday. The declaration of November 8 as “Victory Day” is not only the commemoration of a military triumph but also holds symbolic significance in terms of restoring historical justice, reviving national pride, and strengthening collective identity. In 2025, the 5th anniversary of Victory Day is celebrated. This jubilee is not merely an anniversary of a historical triumph of statehood but also carries special strategic importance as a demonstration of the strength, will, and determination of independent Azerbaijan in the international arena. The study shows that Victory Day has wide-ranging impacts not only within the context of statehood but also in the socio-psy­chological sphere. The replacement of years of occupation and displacement trauma with victory has created a new stage in national psychology. This holiday strengthens people’s confidence in their own power, en­hances social solidarity, and plays a unifying role in state – citizen relations. The celebration of the holiday serves as an important tool for preserving collective memory and fostering patriotism among the younger generation. Victory Day also contributes to the deepening of national ideology. Events and parades orga­nized at the state level not only display military and political triumph but also present Azerbaijan to the in­ternational community as a strong and self-confident state. Moreover, the holiday holds strategic significance in preserving national values in socio-cultural life and in transmitting the traditions of heroism from genera­tion to generation. Consequently, Victory Day is evaluated as a multifaceted phenomenon which, alongside the triumph of national will, contributes to strengthening socio-psychological resilience, consolidating state­hood traditions, and passing on national identity to future generations.

Keywords: Victory Day, Patriotic War, national identity, socio-psychological impact