Türkiye's Bursa hosts Shusha Days PHOTO

Shusha Days are being held in the Turkish city of Bursa due to the declaration of Shusha as the "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" in 2023. The title of "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" will be transferred from Bursa to Shusha as part of the event.

The event was organised by the International Foundation of Turkic Culture and Bursa's Boyukshehr municipality, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag.

Speakers at the opening ceremony recalled that the status of "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" will be transferred to Shusha next year.

It was reported that the city of Shusha, which is the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, was liberated from a 30-year Armenian occupation as a result of a brilliant victory in the Patriotic War, and this event is regarded as a watershed moment in Turkic history.

The speakers stressed that during Armenia's occupation, the city's spiritual and cultural heritage, including historical monuments, and mosques were destroyed and devastated. Azerbaijan is currently rehabilitating and constructing the city. One of Azerbaijan's main goals is to resettle citizens to their native lands in the near future.

Noting that the legendary Shusha, which is an epic of heroism, dedication and honour, became famous in the world for its cultural heritage, picturesque nature, poets and writers, and great musicians who gave the world universal values, the speakers stressed that liberation from occupation brought the city back to life, returned Azerbaijan's cultural and historical heritage.

The declaration of Shusha, which has a special meaning for the Azerbaijani people, as the "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World", at the same time, is important for further strengthening unity and equality, the development of cooperation among the peoples of the Turkic world. The speakers noted that Shusha is an open–air museum reflecting Azerbaijan's history.

Touching upon Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, they said that every state of the Turkic world is significant for Türkiye. However, Türkiye always perceives everything that concerns Azerbaijan as its own. The main architects of unity between the two countries are Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The unity demonstrated by the two great leaders is an example for the world.

As part of the Shusha Days, a program dedicated to the memory of a prominent figure of Azerbaijani artistic thought, Khurshidbanu Natavan, was held.

The premiere of the feature-documentary film "The Only Pearl of Shusha" was also held at the event.

The film is dedicated to the life and work of the outstanding poet of Azerbaijan, the last heiress of the Karabakh Khanate, who turns 190 this year, Natavan. The film also contains information about the history of Shusha, the destruction of the city during the Armenian occupation, the restoration and reconstruction work carried out by the Azerbaijani state in Karabakh after our glorious victory, and President Ilham Aliyev's statement.

The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Türkiye Rashad Mammadov, Consul-General in Istanbul Narmina Mustafayeva, and government representatives.

Within the framework of the Days of Shusha, which will last two days, events reflecting the culture and national values of Azerbaijan will be held.