Azerbaijan unveils plan to preserve Karabakh's ruins as memorial parks

In an announcement at the First Cultural Forum of the Islamic World held in Shusha, Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, revealed that parts of Karabakh's devastated territory will be preserved as memorial parks.

"These sites, marked by the destruction caused during years of occupation, will not undergo restoration but will be transformed into open-air memorials, preserving their ruins as a poignant reminder of the region's history," Huseynov said, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

This initiative, which forms a part of the broader Museum of Occupation and Museum of Victory projects, aims to commemorate the enduring history of the area. According to Huseynov, these memorial parks will hold both symbolic and profound cultural significance, as the ruins of homes and streets stand as lasting testaments to the lives and memories of those who once inhabited the region.

A key component of the project will be the creation of a Memorial Complex in Fuzuli, where cutting-edge 3D technology will be utilized to visually narrate the dramatic battles that led to the city's liberation. This immersive display is designed to preserve the memory of the struggles and sacrifices made by the Azerbaijani people.

Highlighting the remarkable progress in the region's recovery, Huseynov shared that 16 new motorways, spanning approximately 600 km, have already been constructed. Furthermore, the international airport in Fuzuli is now operational, and work is underway to restore the Barda-Aghdam railway line. Significant infrastructure projects have also been completed, including the establishment of 10 new electric substations, four water reservoirs, two water channels, and two gas pipelines. In addition, multiple residential complexes have been built to accommodate returning residents.

The restoration efforts also extend to the social infrastructure, with plans to construct eight residential areas, a new settlement zone, and refurbish 23 villages. Educational and healthcare facilities are set to benefit as well, with six kindergartens, five schools, and two central hospitals scheduled for restoration.

Among the notable heritage sites being revitalized is the Juma Mosque in Aghdam, alongside the Imarat Complex, where 213 burials have already been restored. The ongoing restoration of the Shahbulag Complex, a historically significant fortress from the Karabakh Khanate, is also expected to boost the region's tourism potential significantly.

The inaugural Cultural Forum of the Islamic World, themed “Safeguarding and Revitalization of Cultural Heritage in the Post-Conflict Period,” commenced on April 17 in Shusha, Azerbaijan.

The event was graced by the presence of Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, alongside Aydin Karimov, the Special Representative for the Shusha district. Also in attendance were Deputy Ministers of Culture, Farid Jafarov and Saadat Yusifova, as well as numerous other officials and cultural heritage experts.

The primary objective of the Forum is to foster the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites that have been damaged or endangered in the aftermath of conflict, while simultaneously enhancing collaboration among countries of the Islamic World in this critical domain.

The Forum's agenda includes two focused panel discussions: “International Protection Mechanisms in Practice: Case Studies on Post-Conflict Heritage of the Islamic World” and “Revitalization of Cultural Heritage: Technological Innovation and Digitalization in Heritage Preservation.”

The first panel will delve into successful heritage restoration projects, examining legal frameworks and institutional strategies employed in the protection and rehabilitation of post-conflict cultural heritage. The second panel will explore the transformative role of modern technologies in the documentation and preservation of heritage, with a particular emphasis on the potential applications of artificial intelligence and 3D modeling in the conservation process.

By Vafa Guliyeva