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.