On October 7, 2024, videos displaying the "restored" appearance of the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral—the Church of the Holy All Savior in Shushi-were circulated through Azerbaijani media and social networks. These videos document that the dome of the 19th-century church has been altered. According to these sources, the Armenian church has been transformed into a different structure, purportedly a Russian church, due to unauthorized construction interventions and destruction.

It is noteworthy that an inscription located on the upper portion of the church's southern porch indicates that the temple was constructed with financial contributions(whips) from the parishioners of Shushi City. Construction commenced in 1868 and was completed in 1887. This article provides additional historical information about the church: Holy All Savior Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi,  https://monumentwatch.org/en/monument/holy-all-savior-ghazanchetsots-church-in-shushi/.

Exactly four years ago, on October 8, 2020, during the 44-day war, the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral—the Church of the Holy All Savior in Shushi-was deliberately targeted twice. This action violated the principles of the Hague and Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the targeting of cultural heritage during armed conflicts. It appears that the objective was to transform the church under the guise of future false restoration work. For further details regarding the attack mentioned above, please refer to the section on the illegal assault on the church. An investigation into the targeting of A. Tigranyan's "Analysis of the case of attack on Holy Savior Cathedral Of Ghazanchetsots in Shushi " from the perspective of international principles for the protection of cultural heritage during wartime can be found in the article https://monumentwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/09-Мшакујесть-2022-2.pdf.

It is noteworthy that precisely four years after the initial attack, Azerbaijan presented the findings of an additional operation that involved the desecration and transformation of a church.

Following the cessation of hostilities, the Azerbaijani government declared its intention to restore the church to its "historic appearance." However, the Azerbaijani authorities proceeded to demolish the cross-shaped window on one of the gabled facades and the sculpture above it. The sculpture on the western facade depicted the theme of Christ's crucifixion and was accompanied by an inscription, both of which were also removed. From the outset of the construction project, it was evident that the intention was to eradicate the temple's cultural significance by demolishing its distinctive features, including intricate details, inscriptions, and other elements of historical and cultural importance.

For more detailed information on the subject of alleged inauthentic Azerbaijani restoration efforts, please refer to the three aforementioned articles: Illegal reconstruction of the Surb Ghazanchetsots church in Shushi, May 15, 2021, https://monumentwatch.org/en/alerts/illegal-reconstruction-of-the-surb-ghazanchetsots-church-in-shushi/, Azerbaijan continues the “restoration” of the Surb Ghazanchetsots (Holy All Savior) Cathedral in Shushi, https://monumentwatch.org/en/alerts/azerbaijan-continues-the-restoration-of-the-surb-ghazanchetsots-holy-all-savior-cathedral-in-shushi/, About the Azerbaijani “restoration” of Surb Amenaprkich Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi, https://monumentwatch.org/en/alerts/about-the-azerbaijani-restoration-of-surb-amenaprkich-ghazanchetsots-church-in-shushi/.

Our response

By undertaking the unauthorized restoration of the Church of the Holy All Savior in Shushi, Azerbaijan violates the principle of authenticity as outlined in the Nara Document on Authenticity adopted by UNESCO in 1994. According to Article 9 of the Nara Document, "The concept of conservation implies a range of activities aimed at understanding cultural heritage, recognizing its history and significance, disseminating knowledge about it, and ensuring its restoration and reinforcement. In this context, the ability of people to comprehend heritage depends, among other factors, on reliable and accurate knowledge about it; correct understanding of informational sources is a necessary prerequisite for assessing all aspects of authenticity" (UNESCO, Nara Document on Authenticity, Article 9). Therefore, to fully understand the nature, characteristics, significance, and history of cultural heritage, accurate information and reliable facts are essential. Consequently, the perception of authenticity assumes a fundamental role in all processes related to the preservation of cultural heritage. Furthermore, in situations where heritage is involved in conflicts, the Nara Document emphasizes the importance of recognizing the legitimacy of cultural values.

Furthermore, on 22 May 2015, the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2057. The Assembly expressed profound concern that reports indicate the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, identity, and the "other" has become a significant element of contemporary conflicts. It calls upon states to ensure the preservation of the authenticity of heritage in urban construction projects and to respect historical layers during restoration and reconstruction processes. This should be carried out in a manner that preserves the natural and true character of the heritage in question (point 4.4.6).

On 10 March 2022, the European Parliament adopted Resolution 2022/2582(RSP) concerning the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. Passed by an overwhelming majority, the resolution called upon Azerbaijan to refrain from interfering with Armenian heritage sites, to uphold the principles of heritage authenticity, and to conduct restorations in accordance with these principles.