Azerbaijan hosts seminar in Pakistan highlighting Shusha as 2024 islamic cultural capital

The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Muslim Institute of Pakistan, organized a seminar titled "Shusha – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024: A Testament to the Rich Heritage of the Muslim World."

The event took place at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

 It featured speakers including Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, Director of the Muslim Institute of Pakistan, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, and other diplomats.

The speakers highlighted that the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) had declared Shusha the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024.

This prestigious title underscores Shusha’s profound cultural significance and its notable contribution to the rich heritage of the Muslim world.

Participants emphasized the importance of preserving Islamic heritage and fostering cultural exchange among Muslim countries.

It was also noted that Shusha holds significant potential as a source of inspiration for future generations and as a contributor to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. This is particularly vital in light of the threats facing Islamic cultural heritage globally.

Note that, the historic city of Shusha, often called the "temple of Azerbaijani music," has reclaimed its place as a cultural and strategic centre following Azerbaijan's military operation to end decades-long occupation.

Founded in the 18th century by Panahali Khan, ruler of the Azerbaijani Karabakh khanate, Shusha was strategically built atop the Karabakh mountains at 1,600 metres above sea level. The city quickly became a hub of commerce and culture, renowned for its role in carpet weaving and trade, with goods exported to Europe, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.

Shusha holds immense significance in Azerbaijani music and literature, producing luminaries such as composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli and poets Molla Panah Vagif and Khurshudbanu Natavan. Often compared to Vienna for music and Naples for culture, Shusha is regarded as Azerbaijan’s artistic heart.

During the Karabakh conflict in the 1990s, Shusha was occupied by Armenian forces, resulting in the displacement of its Azerbaijani population. The city remained under Armenian occupation until Azerbaijani armed forces liberated it on November 8, 2020, during a 44-day war that ended with a ceasefire agreement.

The liberation of Shusha marked a turning point, contributing to the cessation of hostilities and Azerbaijan’s recovery of additional territories. Now restored to Azerbaijani sovereignty, Shusha is undergoing revitalization efforts, aimed at preserving its historical legacy while symbolizing the resilience and cultural pride of Azerbaijan.

By Aghakazim Guliyev