The presentation of the photo album “Destroyed Heritage: Silent Witnesses” — a joint project by the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, the Ministry of Culture, and the Karabakh Revival Foundation — was held at the Presidential Library of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Academician Kamal Abdulla, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, noted that the album, compiled by renowned photographer Reza Deghati, serves as compelling evidence documenting the destruction of religious and cultural heritage in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. He emphasized that the publication is not only a collection of material proof but also an important contribution to historical preservation.

Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, said the album sheds light on the widespread vandalism and destruction inflicted on Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage during the occupation of Karabakh and East Zangazur by Armenia. He stressed that the album includes both pre-occupation and post-occupation images of cultural heritage sites that were damaged or destroyed in the Karabakh region.

Hasanov also pointed out that during the occupation, Armenian forces targeted not only Islamic monuments but also Christian monuments belonging to Caucasian Albania — many of which were subjected to alteration and falsification.

Rahman Hajiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Karabakh Revival Foundation, emphasized that alongside infrastructure, the cultural and religious heritage in the liberated territories was deliberately and systematically erased over the years.

Orkhan Fikratoglu, Advisor to the Minister of Culture, underlined the need for sustainability in such initiatives, stating that the Ministry of Culture remains ready to support projects of this nature.

Speakers at the event stressed the importance of documenting acts of vandalism committed against cultural, religious, and historical heritage in the liberated territories, and of raising international awareness on the issue.

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