THE tragic events of Azerbaijan’s “Black January” and the country’s long road to independence carry lessons that resonate with the Philippines’ own historical experience of foreign rule, political repression and national awakening, the honorary consul of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Philippines said in an extended interview with The Manila Times Newsroom.
During the interview conducted by Michael Alexander Ang, director and board member of The Manila Times Publishing Corp., Consul Ad Honorem Jose de Venecia III said Azerbaijan’s history, culture and resilience mirror key aspects of the Filipino story, making it important for Filipinos to understand what happened in Baku on Jan. 19 to 20, 1990, when Soviet troops violently dispersed mass protests, killing civilians and leaving a deep mark on Azerbaijan’s national consciousness.
After independence, Azerbaijan’s parliament officially recognized the atrocities of Black January, and remembrance was institutionalized.
De Venecia said the events are commemorated annually, taught in schools, and marked at national memorials such as the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, where the names and images of those killed are displayed.
He said this emphasis on memory serves not to glorify tragedy but to ensure it is not forgotten, drawing a parallel with how Filipinos remember their own periods of oppression, from Spanish colonization to martial law.
“Like the Philippines, Azerbaijan learned that remembering painful history is essential to moving forward as a nation,” he said.
De Venecia, who has represented Azerbaijan in the Philippines for nearly nine years, said his role as honorary consul goes beyond consular representation and centers on building bridges between the two countries through diplomacy, trade, education and cultural exchange.
“My main responsibility is to bring closer relations between Azerbaijan and the Philippines, particularly by helping Filipinos understand Azerbaijan’s history, its people and its culture,” he said, adding that stronger awareness could also open opportunities for trade and investments between the two countries.
He noted that only a small number of Azerbaijani nationals currently live in the Philippines, mostly executives working for international companies, whose children often attend international schools. Despite the small community, cultural exchanges have been growing.
De Venecia recalled that an Azerbaijani broadcast team visited the Philippines several years ago and toured various regions, including Mindanao, with support from the Department of Tourism.
The resulting program, aired in Azerbaijan, showcased Philippine destinations to Azerbaijani audiences.
He also pointed to educational exchanges as a key area of cooperation, particularly between Azerbaijan and Muslim communities in the southern Philippines.
Several Filipino students from Mindanao have studied in Azerbaijani universities under programs supported by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
“These people-to-people exchanges are very important,” de Venecia said. “They promote understanding between countries and help build long-term international relations.”
De Venecia pointed out the similarities between Filipinos and Azerbaijanis, citing hospitality, openness and a strong work ethic.
He said these shared traits help overcome the geographical distance between the two nations and create a foundation for closer ties.
He said many Filipinos are unfamiliar with Azerbaijan, a country of about 10 million people, but said it holds strategic and cultural significance as a gateway between Central Asia and Eastern Europe, with a history stretching back to biblical times.
De Venecia urged Filipinos to learn more about Azerbaijan and consider visiting the country, saying greater awareness would benefit both nations.
“For Filipinos, understanding other countries’ struggles — especially those that echo our own — strengthens our place in the international community,” he said.
