On December 13-14, 2018 series of events commemorating centenary of Azerbaijani Hero of Soviet Union Mehdi Huseynzade has been held in Slovenia

A series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijani Hero of the Soviet Union and Slovenia Mehdi Huseynzade (nicknamed "Mikhaylo") (1918-1944), who showed outstanding heroism during the liberation of Slovenia, have been held in the city of Maribor. 

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Defense Karim Valiyev, Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia Galib Israfilov, MP Rauf Aliyev, head of Azerbaijan`s Oguz District Executive Authority Eyvaz Gurbanov, embassy staff, Alojz Kovsca, president of National Council of Slovenia, deputy mayor of Maribor and other officials attended the events. 

On December 13, participants of the events visited a memorial board for victims of the Khojaly genocide which was erected in the territory of the Dobrava Memorial Park complex in Maribor. 

Director of the Dobrava Memorial Park, President of the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe Lidija Plibersek informed the delegation of the monuments located in the memorial park. She said the memorial board for victims of the Khojaly genocide serves to condemn crimes and wars against humanity, peaceful civilians, and transfer values of humanity and peace to future generations. 

Participants also visited the monument to the Soviet and Slovenian WW II hero, brave son of Azerbaijan Mehdi Huseynzade in the memorial park named after General Rudolf Maister. 

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Galib Israfilov underlined that the phenomenon of "Mikhaylo" plays a crucial role in strengthening friendly ties between the Azerbaijani and Slovenian people. Maribor Deputy Mayor Saša Pelko thanked the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Slovenia-Azerbaijan Friendship Society for assistance in constructing the monument. 

On December 14, an event to commemorate Mehdi Huseynzade has been held in Cultural House of Chepovan, Slovenia. On the event Deputy Minister of Defense Karim Valiyev, Ambassador Galib Israfilov and Alojz Kovsca, president of National Council of Slovenia delivered speeches. 

Speakers said that the Slovenians will never forget Azerbaijani hero Mehdi Huseynzade, nicknamed "Mikhaylo", who showed outstanding heroism during liberation of Slovenia. They underlined that phenomenon of "Mikhaylo" plays a crucial role in strengthening friendly ties between the Azerbaijani and Slovenian people. 

Ambassador Galib Israfilov emphasized that the commemorating of Mehdi Huseynzade is important in conveying the legacy of heroes who fought against Nazis to next generations.