During the 30-year occupation, some historical and religious monuments in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur were destroyed, and some cultural assets were illegally removed from the country.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli during his speech at an event dedicated to the protection of historical and religious heritage.
The minister noted that during the occupation, historical and religious monuments suffered serious destruction, and some of them were completely destroyed.
“At the same time, cases of illegal removal of cultural assets, which are an integral part of these historical and religious monuments and complexes, from the country were also observed,” Adil Karimli said.
According to him, intensive work is currently being carried out to restore religious places of worship, including mosques, in the liberated territories.
Adil Karimli stated that one of the problems encountered in the post-conflict period is the protection of historical and cultural heritage samples and places of worship located in mined areas. The minister noted that coordinated activities are being carried out in this direction.
He also emphasized that the protection of cultural heritage is not only the work of state institutions, but also that citizens and civil society institutions should actively participate in the process.
The minister reminded that in the “Culture of Azerbaijan – 2040” Concept, approved on January 14, 2026, the protection of cultural heritage is defined as one of the separate directions. The concept was approved by the President's decree dated January 14, 2026.
Lamiya Jannatzadeh
