SHOUSHI, Artsakh—Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) Ministry of Culture relocated to the historic city of Shoushi over the weekend, in what is seen as the government’s efforts to boost development in that town.
Artsakh President Bako Sahakian was joined by the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Barkev Martirosian, speaker of National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan, Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan and other officials at the opening ceremony of the new Culture Ministry building in Shoushi, which was once the cultural capital of Armenia.
President Sahakian emphasized the importance of transferring different institutions to Artsakh’s ancient cultural capital considering it a significant factor for further development of Shoushi. Sahakian added that such moves would also contribute to the protection of historical buildings.
Shushi, which is situated about 10 kilometers south of the capital Stepanakert and has a population of about 3,000, is regarded as Karabakh’s old cultural capital.
In 1992, the Nagorno-Karabakh self-defense forces heroically captured Shoushi from Azeri occupation forces, who had turned this ancient city into stronghold from where they opened fire on the population of Stepanakert.
Great idea! The same should be applied in Armenia.
Congratulations – this is an important and symbolic move to re-affirm Shushi’s status as the Capital of Culture not only for Artsakh, but for the South Caucasus. Eventually more people will ignore its unrecognised status and allow arts and culture to speak above politics.
Always read what is written. What if I say that Russell Pollard sounds like Pollad BulBuloglu?!
“Shushi, which is situated about 10 kilometers SOUTH of the capital Stepanakert …., is regarded as Karabakh’s old cultural capital”. Point.
Armenians don’t have resources to run a cultural center for the entire south caucasus! This kind of grandeous “ideas” can visit only well “oiled” minds. On the other hand, it looks possible that Madame Aliev tries her unesco connections (she is “generous” sponsor and also a “close” friend of the unesco president-general) for infiltrating into Shushi under disguise of a dream for a “regional cultural center”.
Any reason to think so? Aliev’s wife last new-year wish was to get Shushi asap for having there music-soiree in august. It was reinstated in that article that – Shushi is hers and the south caucasus is theirs bc entire south caucasus sings their songs! So, if something is left which is not theirs, then it is georgians.
Sayat-Nova, Sayat-Nova!