Karabakh

General Information Karabakh has historically developed as one of the biggest cultural centers of Azerbaijan. Among the prominent representatives of science and culture, who lived in the medieval period in Karabakh were Seyid Amir Berdayi, Abubekr Berdayi, classic of the Azeri poetry Mujireddin Beylakani (all lived in X-XII cc.), a prominent philosopher, astronomer and traveler Yousif Muhammed Karabakhgi (?-1645) and others. After establishment of the Karabakh khanate in the mid XVIII c. the Karabakh culture entered a new era of high cultural renaissance, which continued further in XIX c. with Azerbaijan’s incorporation into Russia. High level of the economic development, Karabakh’s marvelous nature and geographic situation, have all facilitated Karabakh to be a center of science, poetry and, especially, of the musical culture of Azerbaijan. Geography Location:Southwest part of Azerbaijan (had no common border with Armenia)  Territory:4, 400 square km (1700 sq miles) The Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan is part of the geographical area called Garabagh (Qarabağ)....

Famous poets and writers Vagif occupies a prominent place in the history of Azerbaijan due to his literary and political activities. Vagif did a lot for the prosperity and political growth of the Karabakh khanate. Also, he had outstanding deserts in organizing the heroic defense of Shusha during the invasion of shah Qajar of Persia in 1795 and 1797. Kasim bey Zakir is One of the most prominent Azeri poets of the XIX c., Zakir was born in 1784 inShusha . Zakir was also a great lyrical poet, who write many poems considered to be the masterpieces of the Azeri literature. While in exile he write one of his best lyrical poems «Durnalar». Khurshid Banu Natevan isthe historical capital of Karabakh. He was one of the founders of the critical realism and satirical trend in the Azeri literature.

Qasim Bey Zakir Khurshid Banu Natevan (1830-1897) Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) Khurshid Banu Natevan (1830-1897) Qasim Bey Zakir Najaf bey Vezirov (1854-1926) Yousif Vezir Chemenzeminli (1887-1943)

Karabakh carpets The Karabakh carpets are made up of 33 compositions. Due to the specifics of the local sheep wool, the Karabakh carpets are characterized by thick, high and fluffy pile. These carpets distinguish themselves with their vivid and joyous colours. They are divided into four groups: without medallions, with medallions, namazlik and subject carpet. These carpets were made in the mountainous part of Karabakh – in Malibayli, Muradxanli, Dasbulaq, Cabrayil, and Horadiz and in many other villages.

Famous musicians Those, who created the musical heritage of Azerbaijan and won the «Conservatoire of the Caucasus» title for Karabakh. Uzeyir Hajibeyov became the pride of the Azeri nation and one of the greatest composers. On January 12, 1908 the premiere of his opera «Leyli and Majnun» took place. This day gave the birth to the new opera genre in the Azeri music. Thus, Azerbaijan became the first Moslem nation in the world to have national opera. Enormous success inspired Hajibeyov to go further and write the operas «Rustam and Sohrab», «Sheikh Sanan», «Asli and Kerem»    Niyazi was one of the greatest conductors in the history of the Azerbaijan classical music. He was Soltan Hajibeyov’s (Uzeyir Hajibeyov’s brother, also a famous composer) son. Having conducted in the symphonic orchestras in Prague, Berlin, Budapest, Bucharest, New York, Paris, Istanbul, London, Tehran, Beijing etc. Maestro Niyazi glorified the Azeri classical music all over the world. One of the best representatives of the Azeri vocal arts Bul-bul (real name is Murtuz Mamedov) was born in Shusha in 1897. Since his childhood he was fascinated with the beauty of his native Karabakh, which inspired him throughout all his life, listened famous Karabakh singers and learned from them. Soon he himself became an adornment of the local Karabakh festive companies. These little folk companies gave little Murtuz the first musical education. For his beautiful voice people called him Bul-Bul – nightingale.

Khan Shushinsky (1901-1979) Jabbar Karyaghdy (1861-1944) Seyid Shushinsky (1889-1965) Khan Shushinsky (1901-1979)

Lachin: invasion date — May 18, 1992 territory— 1840 sq. km  OCCUPIED TERRITORIES  Lachin:    invasion date — May 18, 1992 territory— 1840 sq. km Kalbajar:  April 2, 1993,      territory – 3054 sq.km Aghdam:  July 23,1993       territory - 1150 sq.kim Jabrayil:  August 23, 1993   territory - 1050 sq.km Fuzuli:    August23, 1993    territory - 1390 sq.km Qubadli: August 31,1993    territory - 802  sq.km Zangilan: October 29, 1993 territory - 707 sq. km

As a result of agression more than 20 thousand people were killed, more than 50 thousand were wounded and became invalid. More than one million people living as  refugees  and  IDPs (internally displaced persons) for nearly 20 years have become victoms of ethnic cleansing and genocide,policy of Armenia against  the Azerbaijanis and have been deprived of elementary human rights. In general, as a result of the occupation 890 cities, villages and settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories have been invaded by Armenians.  102 thousand dwelling houses, 7000 public buildings have been destroyed, 693 secondary schools, 695 health care facilities, 800 km  length motor road, 160 bridges, 2300 km water-line, 15,000 km power line,  250,000 ha forest, 200,000 ha sowing area, 464 historical monuments and museums have been invaded and destroyed. There were more than 310 industrial and building enterprises in the occupied territories. 4 airports, Baku-Aghdam and Horadiz-Ordubad railway lines, Baku-Stepanakert-Nakhichevan gas-pipe, etc. have remained  in the territories occupied. According to preliminary calculation, the damage to Azerbaijan as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno - Karabakh has been estimated at $60.1billion.