Azerbaijani, Uzbek presidents along with first ladies visit Shusha PHOTO/UPDATE

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva visited on August 23 the city of Shusha, Azertag informs.

The heads of state and their wives first visited the Saatli Mosque.

The Saatli Mosque in Shusha was built in 1883 on the basis of a project by Karbalayi Safikhan Garabaghi. The Mosque was ruined by Armenians during the years of occupation. The Mosque, whose renovation work began in December 2021 with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s funding, was inaugurated this May.

The presidents and their wives viewed the “Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh” exhibition at the Creativity Center restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov informed the Uzbek President and his wife of the Center and exhibition.

The Creative Center is an architectural monument of national importance. It was restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and opened on May 10 this year.

The “Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh” exhibition features rare photos, documents and video materials reflecting the services of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev towards the social, economic, political and cultural development in Karabakh. The exhibition also includes photos from the National Leader's visits to Karabakh as well as his meetings and various events held here.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva viewed the monuments to prominent personalities of Azerbaijan such as Natavan, Bulbul and Uzeyir Hajibayli, which were shot by Armenians in Shusha during the occupation.

At the initiative of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the monuments were bought from Armenians and brought to Azerbaijan to keep at the Museum of Art in Baku. They were placed back at their original place under President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions after the de-occupation of Shusha.

The Uzbek President and his wife then got acquainted with the master plan of the city of Shusha.

Special Representative of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha district Aydin Karimov briefed the Uzbek leader and his wife about the master plan.

They visited the Natavan Spring, one of the famous places of the city.

The President of Uzbekistan and his wife also visited the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque. The mosque opened this May after the restoration works that started at the end of 2021.

The President of Uzbekistan and his wife then visited the House-Museum of Bulbul. Polad Bulbuloglu briefed the President and his wife on the House Museum. After the liberation of Shusha from the occupation, restoration works were also carried out in the House-Museum of Bulbul, and the museum opened on August 29, 2021.

During the acquaintance with the Mehmandarovs Estate Complex, they were informed that this complex was built by Mehmandarov family representatives back in the 18th century. The complex includes a big residential building, a small residential building, a family mosque and a spring.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has carried out renovation and restoration works in the Mehmandarovs Estate Complex since October 2021. A museum was set up in the complex after its renovation. The exposition-themed “Karabakh Aristocrat’s House” has over 150 ancient items put on display.

The heads of state and their wives then visited the Jidir Duzu plain, one of the symbols of Shusha.

The Shusha trip made a deep impression on the President of Uzbekistan and his spouse.

17:56 / 23.08.2023

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva have visited the city of Shusha.

The heads of state and their wives visited the Saatli Mosque, viewed the “Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh” exhibition at the Creativity Center restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as the monuments to prominent personalities of Azerbaijan such as Natavan, Bulbul and Uzeyir Hajibayli, which were shot by Armenians in Shusha during the occupation, Azertag reports.

After viewing the master plan of Shusha, the presidents and their wives visited the Natavan spring, as well as the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, the House-Museum of Bulbul, Mehmandarov's Estate Complex and the Jidir Duzu Plain.