Azerbaijan's Shusha showcases cultural pride to diaspora youth during summer camp PHOTO

As part of the 6th Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth, dedicated to the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty,” participants from around the world visited the historic city of Shusha in Azerbaijan.

The visit began at the iconic Isa Spring before the group gathered at Jidir Duzu — a culturally and spiritually significant plateau overlooking the city. There, the young visitors were briefed on Shusha’s strategic geographical position, the historical importance of the Jidir Duzu, and its long-standing role in the city’s social and cultural life, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Participants then explored the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque and toured Shusha’s Central Square, where they observed bullet-riddled monuments of Azerbaijani luminaries including poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, opera singer Bulbul, and composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The group was given a detailed overview of Shusha’s history, the city’s nearly three-decade occupation by Armenian forces, and the large-scale restoration initiatives currently underway following its liberation.

The youth delegation also visited Khurshidbanu Natavan’s residence, the revered "Khan Gizi" spring, and the imposing Walls of the Shusha Fortress — all key symbols of the city's enduring heritage and resilience.

The camp, jointly organized by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, runs from August 3 to 9. It brings together 128 Azerbaijani youth from 61 countries, along with participants from friendly nations, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and strengthening ties with the homeland.

Since its inception, the summer camp has been hosted in Shaki, Shamakhi, Shusha, Nakhchivan, and Lachin. The program draws over 3,000 applications annually from more than 60 countries. To date, over 700 young people have taken part in the initiative, gaining firsthand experience of Azerbaijan’s culture, history, and contemporary development.

By Vafa Guliyeva