The Legacy Of Azerbaijan’s Rich Culture In Shusha

For this reason, German historian Michael Reinhard Hess just published a book in the German language titled The Legacy of Shusha: The History and Path of Development of Azerbaijan’s Cultural Capital. This book is pivotal reading in the West, where many believe the myths spread by the Armenian lobby that Shusha is part of their homeland that was invaded by Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War. It speaks about the cultural and literary history of Azerbaijan in Shusha, and demonstrates that Shusha is as Azerbaijani as Tel Aviv, Haifa and Netanya are Israeli, a fact that has been recognized by four UN Security Council resolutions.

Hess told Azerbaijani media: “The “cultural capital of Azerbaijan”, also called its “pearl” and the “cradle of culture”, Shusha has produced many famous Azerbaijani poets, writers, musicians and other people of arts and culture. Ninety-five poets and writers, 38 khanendes, 22 musicians and 19 calligraphers lived and worked in Shusha and Karabakh at the end of the 19th century.”

He continued, “The book presents scientific evidence that the heritage of Shusha comes from the national and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people based on works of some of these creators: Molla Panah Vagif, Aghabeyim agha Aghabaji, Ashig Peri, Khurshidbanu Natavan, historians Mirza Adigozalbey, Mirza Jamal Javanshir Karabaghi, as well as other intellectuals, such as Mir Movsum Navvab, Fatma Khanum Kamina, Uzeyir Hajibekov, Zulfugar Hajibekov, Jeyhun Bey Hajibekov and Abdurrahim Bey Hagverdiyev.”