“It is really difficult to fit all feelings and experiences into a few sentences. Perhaps I am one of the rare people who visited my hometown Shusha in 2007 and 2009, when it was under occupation. It was very difficult to go to my native Shusha and see it in ruins, to witness the silence of the streets, to observe the destroyed ancestral home and the places where my childhood passed.
My first visit to Shusha after the occupation was in February 2021. At that time, mainly military personnel served in the city, and the official representation had not yet started its activity. When we saw our heroic soldiers in the streets, we hugged them and could not hide our joy and pride. It is impossible to express the emotion of those moments in words, it was an unforgettable feeling that combined the joy of victory and years of longing.”
These thoughts were expressed by Polad Bulbuloglu, former diplomat, People's Artist, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Milli Majlis, and MP from Shusha, who shared his impressions about Shusha at the WUF13 forum.
He stated that international forums held in Azerbaijan are an indicator of the country's prestige: “This is a very big event. Azerbaijan has now become a country that has a say all over the world. The voice of our state is heard everywhere. President Ilham Aliyev is one of the leaders who has gained great prestige in the international arena. The high-level organization of such prestigious events is an important event for both our country's image and our history. This also remains in the history of the UN. Forum participants see the development in Azerbaijan with their own eyes. Guests feel Baku, the hospitality of our people. Everyone takes pictures, and when they return to their countries, they will tell their relatives and acquaintances about it. This is very important in terms of promoting Azerbaijan.”
Our interlocutor also touched upon the large-scale construction works carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur: “Great works are being done in Shusha, Khankendi, Khojaly. Thousands of people live in our liberated villages. New houses have been built for former IDPs, and roads are being laid. Roads have been built to Shusha from three different directions. Tunnels have been built according to world standards. I have been to many countries, I have seen tunnels in Switzerland, but the technologies applied here are also at the highest level.
The last time I met with voters in the village of Khidirli in Aghdam. This is very gratifying. Families are given 2, 3 and 4-room houses.
Can you imagine, on Saturdays and Sundays there is a traffic jam in Shusha. Buses and cars flock to the city. People come to Shusha with great interest.”
The People's Artist also spoke about the Kharibulbul festival, emphasizing that the event holds special significance for him: “In May 2021, immediately after its liberation from occupation, the Kharibulbul festival was held in Shusha. This year is already the ninth festival. Three festivals were organized before the occupation, and six after its liberation. Each of these works was achieved through great effort.”
The committee chairman added that visits of foreign heads of state to Shusha have already become a tradition: “Many international meetings are held in Shusha. Concerts are organized in Bulbul's house museum. The work done in a short time is indeed the result of great effort. I thank everyone who contributed to this process. In particular, I am grateful to Mr. President for restoring the festival after Shusha was liberated.”
