Cultural heritage of Western Azerbaijan destroyed in present-day Armenia

The tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Western Azerbaijanis has been systematically destroyed in the territory of present-day Armenia, said Ulviyya Zulfigar, head of the Public Relations and Western Azerbaijan Television Department of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Report informs.

Zulfigar made the remark at a meeting with youth participating in the 5th Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth organized by the Diaspora Committee in West Azerbaijan Community.

The official shed light on the harsh realities faced by Western Azerbaijanis over the past two centuries.

She revealed, “Our compatriots have been forcibly removed from their historical lands in stages, suffering four deportations in the last century alone.”

Zulfigar also highlighted that the most recent and perhaps most devastating deportation occurred between 1987 and 1991, during which nearly 300,000 Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from their ancestral homes by Armenian authorities.

She emphasized that the material and immaterial cultural heritage of Western Azerbaijanis has been systematically destroyed in the territory of present-day Armenia.

“Since its reorganization, the Western Azerbaijan Community has taken intensive steps to inform the world community about these injustices. The community has sent letters and appeals to various international bodies, seeking recognition and support for their cause. The primary goal of the Community today is to facilitate the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of our compatriots to their homeland and to protect their rights. To achieve this goal, the role of compatriots living abroad, especially the youth, is of great importance,” the official also pointed out.

Zulfigar underlined that young people can make a significant contribution to informing foreign audiences about Western Azerbaijanis' right to return.