By Raza Syed/Sevinj Nabiyeva
LONDON – Within the gilded embrace of Lancaster House, where empires have parleyed for centuries, a different kind of legacy shimmered on Wednesday evening. The Azerbaijani Embassy transformed this neoclassical crucible of British power into a resonant Caspian salon, hosting a grand reception marking the 107th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) – a celebration intricately threaded with homage to the nation’s upcoming Armed Forces Day.
Beneath crystal chandeliers and towering portraits, the venue pulsed with diplomatic gravity.
The event united a distinguished tapestry of guests: representatives from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ministry of Defence, an emissary from the Royal Palace, Members of Parliament, a constellation of ambassadors and diplomats, influential public figures, media voices, and the vibrant threads of the Azerbaijani diaspora and students studying in the UK. The very air hummed with the weight of history and shared futures.
The ceremony opened with the solemn strains of both the British and Azerbaijani national anthems, a moment of mutual respect bridging the spaces between St. James’s and the Caspian. Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, standing amidst Lancaster House’s imperial grandeur, cast light on the ADR’s profound, albeit brief, flame: “The first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim East,” he declared, his voice echoing through the hushed room. “Though it lasted only 23 months, it laid the unshakeable foundation for modern Azerbaijan’s statehood and democratic principles.” He issued a clarion call to Azerbaijani youth: “Know this tumultuous, glorious history. Understand independence was hard-won, and work tirelessly to preserve it.”
Ambassador Suleymanov deftly wove the past into the present. He expressed gratitude for King Charles III’s congratulatory message to President Ilham Aliyev, highlighting the “dynamic and multifaceted ties” binding Baku and London. He traced the strong continuum from traditional energy cooperation to burgeoning green energy partnerships, thanking the UK for its crucial support for Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29. Looking east, he painted a vision of Azerbaijan, alongside Türkiye, Georgia, and Central Asian nations, actively”creating a stable and progressive new region,” expressing hope for constructive steps from Armenia in the post-conflict normalization process.
The Ambassador masterfully entwined the celebration of independence with the imminent Armed Forces Day, dedicating the evening to both. He paid solemn tribute to the Azerbaijani Army’s pivotal role in liberating territories and securing national sovereignty, offering special congratulations to the Armed Forces personnel and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. This acknowledgment of strength formed a vital counterpoint to the velvet celebration of statehood.
Mark Clayton, representing the UK Foreign Office, took the podium to affirm the “depth, breadth, and strength” of the bilateral relationship. “We are proud,” he stated, detailing collaboration across defence, education, and crucially, the economy. He hailed COP29 as a milestone, facilitating the first visit of a sitting British Prime Minister to Azerbaijan and noting President Aliyev’s reciprocal visit. Concrete results were evident: a new UK trade envoy for Azerbaijan, a recent bilateral economic commission meeting, the appointment of a new British military attaché to Baku, and planned political consultations. Clayton acknowledged Azerbaijan’s challenging path to independence and voiced firm UK support for the Baku-Yerevan normalization process, referencing the recent Tirana talks. He aptly termed Azerbaijan an “important security partner.”
As the formal remarks concluded, Lancaster House shifted seamlessly from a chamber of statecraft to a haven of Azeri warmth. Guests were enveloped in the fragrant embrace of saffron-infused dushbara (delicate meat dumplings) and sweet shekerbura pastries. The
haunting, improvisational melodies of Mugham music, performed live, likely intertwined with the soulful strains of the tar lute, rose towards the ornate ceilings, a poignant cultural counterpoint to the venue’s history. The vibrant patterns of traditional kelaghayi silk scarves worn by attendees provided dazzling flashes of colour against the deep velvets and dark wood, embodying enduring cultural identity. The evening culminated in a formal banquet and concert, a sensory celebration of a nation whose history – woven with the delicate threads of ancient heritage and the unyielding steel of sovereignty – continues to unfold with confident purpose.
Lancaster House, for this luminous evening, stood not just as a monument to British history, but as a frame for Azerbaijan’s resilient narrative: a century-old dream of independence, fiercely protected, and joyously celebrated on a global stage. The glow from its windows seemed to carry the echoes of Mugham and the quiet assurance of a nation secure in its past and forging its future.
