Azerbaijani official: About 20 historical monuments fully restored in Shusha

About 20 historical monuments have been fully restored in Azerbaijan’s Shusha District for over three years.

Special representative of Azerbaijan’s President in Shusha District Aydin Karimov said, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Emphasizing that the symposium “Islamic Architectural Heritage of Shusha City” with the participation of architects, international experts from more than 10 countries of the world started its work in Shusha on October 12, the special representative noted that the guests could familiarize themselves with the architectural heritage of Shusha city, a fine example of Islamic architecture, as well as works carried out for its preservation.

Notably, the symposium “Islamic Architectural Heritage of Shusha” is being held in Shusha, organized by the Department of Shusha State Reserve with the support of ISESCO. The symposium is held within the framework of the action plan prepared in connection with the announcement of Shusha City as the cultural capital of the Islamic world for 2024. More than 80 architects from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Egypt, UAE, Tunisia, Kenya, Jordan, Italy, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UK are taking part in the symposium.

The restoration of Shusha is a key priority for Azerbaijan. The city is historically significant and is known for its cultural, economic, and administrative importance. Following 28 years of Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan is working to reconstruct the city and preserve its heritage.

The projects come in the wake of decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the latter's Karabakh region. Armenia occupied around 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory during the 1990s, forcibly displacing million of Azerbaijanis. The situation changed in 2020 when Azerbaijan reclaimed much of the territory, including the city of Shusha, following a 44-day war.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched the one-day local anti-terrorist operation to neutralize remaining illegal Armenian armed groups in the Karabakh region. On September 20, the Armenian separatist forces agreed to disarm, and on September 28, the illegal separatist regime in the Karabakh region announced its self-dissolution. On October 15, President Aliyev hoisted Azerbaijan’s flag in Khankendi, symbolizing the city’s liberation after more than three decades of Armenian occupation.

By Khagan Isayev