Anti-Armenian Propaganda in Azerbaijan’s Educational System

The education system of Azerbaijan is saturated with anti-Armenian sentiment. The formation of the image of Armenians as an enemy occurs through all possible platforms and means. The most effective method is through the curricula at public schools and kindergartens. Azeri children learn from a very young age that Armenians are the enemy, and that Karabakh and Armenia are “occupied Azerbaijani historical lands” that must be returned. This is the germination of Armenian hatred and inhumanity. As the main priority of state propaganda, this type of education is prevalent across a variety of statewide programs and extracurricular activities. Particularly disturbing is when the propaganda of falsifications, lies and Armenian hatred becomes the plot and content of Azerbaijani fairy tales.

In 2011, under the auspices of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, the first theater festival for children and youth was organized with a primary theme of patriotism. One of the winners of the festival was Sh. Xeyrulla’s mono performance “My Hostile Toy” about the great Armenian military leader Andranik Ozanyan. In addition to the dehumanization and depersonalization of Ozanyan, the performance discredited the Armenian hero with the goal of discrediting the whole nation.