SCISSORS ARE A SYMBOL OF POWER

President Ilham Aliyev participated in the October 12th foundation-laying ceremony for a new building for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan on Heydar Aliyev Prospect. As usual, the president performed the ritual of cutting a red band. Some days before this, the president "worked skillfully" with scissors in Nakhchivan, where ten red bands awaited his arrival. In fact, opening rituals have become the main activity of the leader of the country: the exploitation of any project, anywhere in the country, can provide an opportunity for the president to cut a red band. Considering the country"s swift development, according to authorities, the number of erections has grown and the president has had to work intensively. It is not easy work: the president is only one, but the number of projects throughout the country is great (fountains, subways, hospitals, bridges, monuments, sports complexes). Often, several projects must be opened at the same time during a presidential visit to the regions. Work began prematurely on several projects after developers could no longer wait their turn - an illegal practice given that official launching and official life are possible only after the sacramental ceremony of the cutting of the red band. These are our odious realities.
There have always been different symbols, attributes, and images of power: scepter, crown, mace, flag, orders, horse, eagle, sun, seal, etc. Rulers were depicted always with sword in hand, or with a scepter, or with the Koran or Bible, or with a constitution, etc. Azerbaijan, as a country pretending toward the role of the country without analog in the world, wants to be original in this sphere. Scissors are the symbol and attribute of the present power - there has never been such a thing before.

Zafar Guliyev