Shusha, May 17, AZERTAC

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, toured the city of Shusha.

The heads of state visited the first residential complex in Shusha.

Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President in the Shusha district, briefed President Aleksandr Lukashenko on the conditions created in the complex and the apartments.

The complex comprises 23 buildings covering an area of almost 8 hectares. Its foundation was laid on August 29, 2021. The complex contains 450 apartments, including 28 one-room, 195 two-room, 190 three-room, 30 four-room, and 7 five-room units. The first residential complex was inaugurated with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on May 10. According to the relocation schedule, 58 families, totaling 224 people, have already moved into the residential complex.

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President Ilham Aliyev and President Aleksandr Lukashenko viewed a bus jointly manufactured by Azerbaijan and Belarus, as well as tractors presented by the Belarusian President.

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The heads of state viewed the monuments to prominent personalities of Azerbaijan, such as Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibayli, which were shot at by Armenians in Shusha during the occupation.

During the occupation, Armenians attempted to take these monuments to Armenia to melt them down. At the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the monuments were bought from Armenians and brought to Azerbaijan to keep in the courtyard of the Museum of Art in Baku. President Ilham Aliyev instructed for these monuments to be returned to their original locations after the de-occupation of Shusha.

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President Ilham Aliyev and President Aleksandr Lukashenko received a briefing on the master plan of Shusha.

During the preparation of the city's master plan, the preservation of its historical image was prioritized. Currently, restoration and reconstruction works are underway in Shusha based on the master plan.

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Then, the Presidents viewed the "Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh" exhibition at the Creativity Center restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov informed the heads of state about the Center and exhibition.

The Creativity Center was inaugurated on May 10 last year, following restoration work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The building is included in the list of nationally significant architectural landmarks. The “Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh” exhibition features rare photos, documents, and video materials reflecting the services of National Leader Heydar Aliyev towards the social, economic, political and cultural development in Karabakh. The exhibition also includes photos from the National Leader's visits to Karabakh as well as his meetings and various events held here.

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Later, the presidents visited the House-Museum of Bulbul, where Polad Bulbuloglu provided information about the museum. He explained that the former Shusha City People's Deputies Council Executive Committee decided on August 31, 1982, to convert Bulbul's birthplace and residence into a museum, following the directive of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The building underwent renovations in 1982-1983, and the museum exhibition was set up, along with the construction of an administrative building in front of it.

However, due to Armenian vandalism during the First Karabakh War in 1992, the house-museum ceased operations. Following the liberation of Shusha, restoration work was undertaken at Bulbul's house-museum, and it was reopened on August 29, 2021.

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The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus also toured Jidir Duzu plain. President Aleksandr Lukashenko was briefed on the significance of Jidir Duzu, which is considered one of the landmarks of Shusha. Historically, Jidir Duzu

served as the venue for horse racing and the place where the local Turkic population celebrated Novruz and other national festivals during the period of the Karabakh Khanate.

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Subsequently, the heads of state visited the walls of the Shusha fortress, where the President of Belarus was briefed on the city's history and the construction of the fortress walls. The fortress, originally built by Panah Ali Khan, had played a crucial role in safeguarding the city from external threats and was revered as a symbol of invincibility.

During the occupation, the fortress walls fell victim to Armenian vandalism. Following the liberation of Shusha, extensive restoration works were undertaken to revitalize the fortress.

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Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, had a joint dinner in Shusha.