TÜRPAV: Türkiye’s archives hold hundreds of records on Western Azerbaijani heritage

Hundreds of historical documents stored in Türkiye’s national archives shed light on the cultural and architectural heritage of Western Azerbaijanis, a senior researcher has revealed.

According to Sinan Demirtürk, a board member of the Turkish Centre for Strategic and Political Studies (TÜRPAV), Türkiye’s archives hold more than 700 records from the Ottoman period, Caliber.Az reports, citing domestic media.

He said these documents offer compelling evidence of the long-standing Azerbaijani presence and cultural heritage in the region historically known as Western Azerbaijan — now part of Armenia.

Demirtürk said Armenians had pursued a policy aimed not only at displacing the indigenous Azerbaijani population from the area since 1828, but also at erasing its historical and cultural traces.

He added that this policy had been systematic since the era of Tsarist Russia and emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting awareness of Azerbaijan’s historical legacy.

“It is crucial to remember our history and draw attention to the historical heritage of the Azerbaijani people,” Demirtürk said, calling for greater public engagement with the topic of Western Azerbaijan through books, documentaries, and television programmes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev