The Azerbaijan government has also officially declared the national anthem to be "the sacred symbol of the Azerbaijan state, its independence and unity."[3]
Since 2006, a fragment of the lyrics is depicted on theobverse of the 5manat banknote.[5] In 2011, to mark the 20th anniversary of independence, a stamp featuring the lyrics was issued.
In 1919, during the formation of theAzerbaijan Democratic Republic, the new government announced it was accepting submissions from the public for a national anthem, coat of arms and state seal. A prize of 15,000 rubles would be awarded to the citizen who submitted the winning anthem.[6]
Azerbaijani composerUzeyir Hajibeyov wrote two marches. In 1919, this work received the first award announced by the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.[7] The second march was the "March of Azerbaijan." According to Turkish musicologist Etem Üngör, "In those years, when Azerbaijan had not yet lost its independence, the march was chanted by military schools before lessons."[8]
Obverse of the Azerbaijani 5 manat banknote with the lyrics of the national anthem
In 1989, following several years of changes brought byperestroika, composer Aydin Azimov arranged a modern recording of the anthem by a full symphony and chorus. That fall, "Azərbaycan marşı" was broadcast on television and radios in Azerbaijan, 70 years after it was introduced.[6]
Azerbaijani postage stamp issued in 2011 with the lyrics of the national anthem
After thedissolution of the Soviet Union, in spring 1992, the leaders of the independent Azerbaijani government proposed that the original anthem should be restored as the anthem of Azerbaijan. TheMilli Mejlis (National Assembly) signed it into law on 27 May 1992.[4]
Azərbaycan! Azərbaycan! Ey qəhrəman övladın şanlı Vətəni! Səndən ötrü can verməyə cümlə hazırız! Səndən ötrü qan tökməyə cümlə qadiriz! Üçrəngli bayrağınla məsud yaşa! Üçrəngli bayrağınla məsud yaşa!
Minlərlə can qurban oldu, Sinən hərbə meydan oldu! Hüququndan keçən əsgər, Hərə bir qəhrəman oldu!
Sən olasan gülüstan, Sənə hər an can qurban! Sənə min bir məhəbbət Sinəmdə tutmuş məkan!
Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! O triumphant homeland of children of heroes! We are all ready to bestow our lives on you! We are fain to shed our very own blood for you! May you live in bliss with your three-coloured flag! May you live in bliss with your three-coloured flag!
Thousands of lives were sacrificed, Your soul a battlefield became, Of every soldier devoted, Each one of them heroes became!
Blossom like a rose garden, My life ever sworn to you, A thousand one loves for you, Rooted deeply in my heart!
To stand on guard for your honour, Bearing aloft your sacred flag; To stand on guard for your honour, Eager be every youthful heir! Glorious homeland! Glorious homeland! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!
Regulations for the performance of the national anthem are set forth in the law signed by PresidentHeydar Aliyev in 1996. While a performance of the anthem may include only music, only words, or a combination of both, the anthem must be performed using the official music and words prescribed by law. Once a performance has been recorded, it may be used for any purpose, such as in a radio or television broadcast.[citation needed]
^Constitution of Azerbaijan - Article 23, Section III: "The appearance of the State flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the music and text of State anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be specified by a Constitutional Law."
^"Azərbaycan Respublikasinin dövlət himni".Azərbaycan Respublikasinin Prezidenti yaninda Kütləvi Informasiya Vasitələrinin Inkişafina Dövlət Dəstəyi Fondu. Archived fromthe original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved25 November 2017.
