ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, August 2. Reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan's territories liberated from occupation extend beyond rebuilding towns and villages to restoring the country's historical and cultural heritage, as well as reviving its cultural and public life, Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
He made the remark during the opening ceremony of the Seventh Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth in Zangilan.
Jafarov said that Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage was deliberately destroyed during the years of occupation. "More than 700 historical and cultural monuments were destroyed in the occupied territories. This vandalism affected our mosques, mausoleums, cemeteries, and other sacred sites," he said.
The deputy minister noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, restoring this heritage has become one of Azerbaijan's key state policy priorities. "The Great Return is not only about bringing people back to their native lands. An integral part of this process is restoring the social and cultural life, historical memory, and cultural heritage that once existed here," Jafarov said.
According to him, under the leadership of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture are consistently implementing projects to restore the cultural heritage of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, as well as preserve elements of intangible cultural heritage. "The Khari Bulbul International Music Festival, Vagif Poetry Days, City Days, and other cultural initiatives are helping revive Karabakh's historical and cultural environment," he noted.
Jafarov stressed that Azerbaijan holds a special place globally thanks to its rich cultural heritage. "Azerbaijan ranks among the top six out of 193 countries in terms of the number of elements inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is international recognition of the richness of our people's cultural heritage," he said.
The deputy minister added that Azerbaijani culture extends far beyond the country's borders. "The legacy of outstanding figures such as Imadaddin Nasimi, Nizami Ganjavi, and Muhammad Fuzuli continues to be studied across a vast geographical area and still influences world culture today. This heritage is a source of pride for every Azerbaijani," he said.
Jafarov emphasized that while new realities have emerged in the region following the Patriotic War, efforts to promote Azerbaijan's cultural heritage internationally must continue. "Presenting our cultural heritage accurately, preserving it, and promoting it worldwide as Azerbaijan's heritage is an important responsibility for all of us, especially young Azerbaijanis living abroad. To achieve this, it is essential to gain a deep understanding of our history, literature, and culture," he said.
The deputy minister also encouraged diaspora youth to work closely with the Ministry of Culture's cultural centers abroad and the Azerbaijan Houses established by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora. "We see you as ambassadors of Azerbaijan's culture abroad. Your active role in promoting our culture internationally is of particular importance," Jafarov added.
