K. Farrokh: “Azerbaijan tries to assimilate Talishis”
Professor Kaveh Farrokh from Canada participated in the 2nd International Conference on Talishi Studies, which was organized by the International Journal "Iran and the Caucasus” in cooperation with Modus Vivendi Center, Caucasian Centre for Iranian Studies, International Society for the Study of Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus and ARMACAD.
Professor spoke about the process of the De-Iranianization of Caucasian Azerbaijan (1828-Present).
Please tell us about the problems, which currently Talishis have, about the pressures which they face?
As everybody knows, Azerbaijanis try to assimilate Talishis. This is the biggest problem for them now. Azerbaijanis try to present Southern Iran (where Talishis live) as Azerbaijan, but all of knows that it is false. Talishis are announced they speak Turkish, but it is false.
Azerbaijanis hate all Iranian-Azerbaijanis and try to present them as Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijani ex-president Elchibey is the perfect example as a person who hates Iranian.
As I have already presented in my speech, there are four rounds by which Azerbaijanis try to fulfill de-Iranianization of Azerbaijan. And just on this way Talishies are pressed to forget their national traditions, language and culture.
