Moscow, 21 February

I came to Azerbaijan at the invitation of Baku International Multiculturalism Center. Azerbaijan is a very interesting country. I was here for the first time in 2004. This is already my second visit. 15 years have passed already. Azerbaijan is developing rapidly and has become even richer. During my current visit I better understood and learned the colorful mosaics of the population. They are very polite and kind.

It was stated by Kiril Feferman, Professor at Ariel University and Director of Holocaust History Center in his exclusive interview with STMEGI.com news website of mountain Jews. “Inter-ethnic relations are harmonious here. A storm rages outside, but it is quiet in Azerbaijan. May this situation keep on existing forever. This time I was in Guba (including the Red Town) and Khachmaz. We looked at the way of life of mountain Jews and Lezgins. It was very interesting. As a historian and a former Soviet man, I already knew some details. It was possible to preserve most of the values of Jewish culture in Azerbaijan,” Mr. Feferman said noting that Azerbaijan serves as an example not only for the Caucasus, but also for many other countries.

According to the scholar, Azerbaijan and Israel share common interests on a number of important issues. This is a very important factor for a rapproachment. “The past which passed without a care is another point. Such a “capital” can be found quite rarely among other states or nations. To put it in a diplomatic way, relations are good, but they have greater potential for development... As a historian, I observe anti-Semitic manifestations in post-Soviet area, and excitement on individual and group levels are being experienced in many countries... I have nothing to say about Azerbaijan when it comes to anti-Semitism.  The country is like a blank sheet and I never heard about anti-Semitic manifestations in this country during the entire period of my monitoring. This is not only about a government policy, which is also an important element, but also a testament that the local population is quite tolerant. The final conclusion is undoubtedly a positive one. It is also a result of a wise public policy,” he said.