Dear friends, colleagues, and supporters,

In the challenging and tragic past year, the academic platform “Monitoring of Artsakh Cultural Heritage” persisted in delivering an unbiased, scientifically grounded, and detailed portrayal of Artsakh's heritage to the international scientific community. Despite the circumstances, we remained committed to our chosen academic conduct, upholding principles of impartiality. We diligently tracked and addressed the issues surrounding the preservation and protection of Artsakh's cultural heritage. This, a voluntary commitment driven by our modest yet unwavering dedication to justice. As we move into the coming year, we pledge to persist in this noble pursuit with the same diligence and unwavering dedication.

The New Year finds renewal in our dedication and daily efforts. Wishing you all a peaceful New Year and a Christmas filled with hope.

In 2023, the team of the "Monitoring of Artsakh Cultural Heritage” project recorded the following results.

Examination of monuments: 70.

The monuments presented on the site are:

1. Qarashen Village’s Tadeos Bridge
2. The spring of Taghot
3. The Shakhkakh monastery
4. The monastic complex of Dadivank. General information
5. About Saint Dadi and his grave
6. Katoghike (main) Church of Dadivank and related structures
7. Dadivank’s small domed church, bell tower, khachkars, and chapels
8. The Secular Monument Group of Dadivank
9. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Old Skhtorashen
10. Yeghtsadzor Church of Upper Sznek
11. Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Khnushinak
12. The monastery of Mesis
13. The spring of Mets Jur (big water)
14. The Surb Grigoris church of Herher
15. Surb Astvatsatsin church of Karmir village
16. The Surb Mesrop Church of Harav Village
17. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Msmna
18. Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin church of Vaghuhas
19. Surb Astvatsatsin church of Haterk
20. Surb Gevorg Church of the Sarnaghbyur Village
21. Surb Gevorg Monastery of Ptkesberk
22. Surb Astvatsatsin church of Vardadzor
23. The spring of Tnjrun in Skhtorashen
24. Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Dahraz
25. The Monastery of Gandzasar: general information
26. Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich church of Gandzasar
27. The dome and sculptural compositions of the Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich Church of Gandzasar
28. The gavit and secular buildings of Gandzasar
29. The khachkars and tombstones of Gandzasar
30. Gandzasar monastery during the years of independence
31. The Karmir (Red) Church (Mausoleum of Melik Pashayans)
32. Surb Grigor or the Karmir (Red) Monastery of Berdadzor
33. The Yerits Mankants monastery
34. The Chapel of Chakhmakh
35. The Monument Commemorating the People of Hadrut Who Perished in the Great Patriotic War
36. The Surb Stepanos church of Khachmach
37. The spring of Khachmach village
38. The Amaras Monastery: General information
39. The shrine of St. Grigoris in Amaras
40. The Defensive System and Secular Structures of the Amaras Monastery Complex
41. The Surb Grigoris Church of Amaras monastery complex
42. The Khachkars of Amaras Monastery, Surb Grigoris’ Tombstone, and Inscriptions
43. Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh
44. The “Kichan Anapat” monastery
45. The Surb Astvatsatsin church of Kichan
46. The “Karin jur” spring monument of Karashen (Dashushen) village
47. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Karashen (Dashushen)
48. The Surb Saribek (Srabek) sanctuary of Karashen (Dashushen)
49. The Surb Saribek Spring of Karashen (Dashushen)
50. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Upper Ghlijbagh
51. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Arajadzor
52. The “Yghen Nahatak” (Khachin Tak) monastery
53. The Srbots Targmanchats church of Kghartsi
54. The Yereshen Chapel of Khnapat
55. The Monastery of Charektar: Historical-architectural examination
56. Charektar Monastery: archaeological research
57. The Srbots Nahatakats (Holy Martyrs) Church of Aghavno village
58. The Kyariz (Aghbulagh) spring of Sarnaghbyur
59. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kavahan (Ghavakhan)
60. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Varazabun
61. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Tsaghkavank
62. The Plajur Spring of Murishen
63. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Murishen
64. The Surb Stepanos Monastery: The Vachar rural town and the Surb Stepanos Monastery
65. The Surb Stepanos Monastery: The Vachar rural town and the Surb Stepanos Monastery
66. The church and reliquary of St. Stepanos Monastery of Vachar
67. The Surb Hakobavank manastery in Metsirank
68. The Aghdam Mosque
69. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Askeran
70. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kolkhozashen

Research of Border Monuments of RA: 15

1. Bardzravan Kratak's Surb Minas
2. Kusanats Anapat of Shinuhayr
3. Winged khachkar and remains of buildings at Bazarkhana site in Khoznavar
4. The khachkars of the Chaluk reef of Khnatsakh
5. Monuments of Kornidzor's Khacher site (Shurnukh ancient site).
6. Surb Hripsime Church of Verishen
7. Khacher shrine of Akner village
8. The church of the old Karashen village, 1551.
9. Surb Gevorg Church of Old Karashen village , 1731
10. Old Khot settlement cemetery
11. The cemetery of the old Shinuhair settlement
12. Harants Anapat ("Great Desert of Syunik")
13. The caravanserai of Bardzravan
14. Surb Hripsime Church of Bardzravan
15. Noravank of Bghen

Museums and private collections: 5

1. Shushi City’s History Museum
2. The State Museum of Geology named after Grigor Gabrielyants in Shushi
3. The Shushi State Museum of Fine Arts
4. The local history museum of Hadrut named after Artur Mkrtchyan
5. “The Melik Mansion of Togh” Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum

Media field monitoring and alarm processing: 48 items and articles

1. Azerbaijan continues blaming Armenia: about the slanderous speech of Azerbaijan at the 17th session of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, held on December 15-16, 2022 in Paris
2. Another manifestation of the aggressive policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
3. The Proclamation of the Surb Amenprakich Church in Talish Village as an Albanian-Udi Cultural Heritage Site
4. About Azerbaijani “specialists” and clergymen who consider the House of Culture in the village of Talish, built in 1957-1959, to be a Russian church and a victim of the “Armenian vandalism”
5. This time it was to Azokh cave
6. On the attack on Surb Astvatsatsin Church in Karmir Gyugh village in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijan during the 44-day war
7. The ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, banned the presentation of the cultural heritage of Artsakh at the exhibition to be held on March 7-9, 2023 in Berlin
8. On the speech of the President of Azerbaijan at the Extraordinary Summit of Leaders of the Organization of Turkic States
9. Creation of the Azerbaijani settlement of Talish at the cost of the Armenian one
10. The “Greater and Lesser Syunik” memorial on the border of Syunik and Artsakh came under the control of Azerbaijan, appearing under threat of destruction
11. The village of Aghavno is a victim of Azerbaijani vandalism
12. Regarding the 10th International Conference “Caucasian Albania: Religious and Social Life” held in Baku
13. Azerbaijan threatens to expel Armenian priests from Dadivank
14. Representatives of the “Albanian-Udi” community of Azerbaijan desecrated and destroyed the unique pit inside the Armenian church of the Tsitsernavank monastery in the Kashatagh region of Artsakh
15. Azerbaijanis completely destroyed the building of the central library named after Avetik Isahakyan in Hadrut and adjacent residential buildings
16. On the destruction of the State Museum of Fine Arts of the city of Shushi
17. Destruction of the cemetery and khachkars in Lachin
18. Azerbaijan destroyed the Memorial Complex of Glory in the city of Berdzor
19. Azerbaijan dug bunkers at the early medieval necropolis of the settlement of Gyavurkala
20. The first response of Azerbaijan to the book “Caucasian Albania” published by an international academic group
21. Azerbaijan destroyed the bridge of Halivor
22. By the order of the President of Azerbaijan, the historical Armenian Togh is being transformed into the Azerbaijani-Albanian “Tugh” reserve.
23. About the Azerbaijani project to convert Berdzor’s Surb Hambardzum Church into a mosque
24. Alert: The Kavakavank Church is Losing its Original Appearance
25. Destruction of a Khachkar in Kyuratagh Village, Hadrut
26. Azerbaijan is stripping Shushi’s cultural heritage of its Armenian origin
27. About the memorial of Avetaranots
28. The Mansion-Fortress of the Melik Beglaryans on the Brink of Ruin
29. The organization known as the “Community of Western Azerbaijan” has appealed to UNESCO, urging to safeguard the cultural heritage of “Western Azerbaijan”
30. Azerbaijanis Destroyed Monument and Khachkar Commemorating Artsakh Liberation War in Ukhtadzor Village, Hadrut Region of Artsakh
31. Amaras Monastery Is Occupied: Azerbaijan Must Adhere to International Provisions for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Occupied Territories
32. Charektar Monastery Targeted by Azerbaijani Vandalism
33. Rome Statute on Cultural Heritage
34. Expropriation of Gandzasar Begins
35. Erasing Signboards Doesn’t Erase History
36. Shushi Named Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024
37. Azerbaijan’s dangerous statements and initiatives
38. The Lemkin Genocide Prevention Institute has issued a Red Flag alert regarding the potential for aggression by the Republic of Azerbaijan towards Armenia
39. Azerbaijan Toppled the Cross in Stepanakert
40. The wall of license plates in Vank village demolished by presidential order in Azerbaijan
41. Azerbaijanis Vandalize Statue of Stepan Shahumyan in Stepanakert
42. Azerbaijan Chosen as Vice-President for the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO
43. Azerbaijan turns the historical layers of the 19th-century Meghretsots Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Shushi into a garbage heap
44. A New Narrative in Azerbaijani Propaganda: Allegations of Restrictions on Azerbaijani Researchers in Soviet-Era Artsakh
45. Azerbaijan Engages in the Destruction of Cemeteries in Shushi
46. The alienation of the historical Armenian identity of the Hadrut city and Fabrication of a New "Azerbaijani Identity"
47. New attempts to seize historical-cultural heritage unveiled
48. Azerbaijan's Destruction of the Spring-Monument in Aghanus Village, Kashatagh Region

Preparation and publication of materials for the news section: 23

1. Cleaning works in Hakobavank
2. Lemkin Genocide Prevention Institute’s Alerts on Azerbaijani Genocide for Artsakh Armenians
3. Azerbaijani-Led Excavations in Tigranakert: An Overview
4. The Austrian parliament unanimously passed a resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
5. “Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage Monitoring Project” Team in Syunik
6. The message of the UN special rapporteur on cultural rights issues addressed to Azerbaijan on the state of cultural and religious significant places in Nagorno Karabakh
7. Ruben Galichyan’s article on “The newly created term “Western Azerbaijan”
8. Monuments of Aghavno Raised in Yerablur
9. “The Documentation of the Eternal. Artsakh” Photo Exhibition at the History Museum of Armenia
10. Ruben Galichyan’s article on “The newly created term “Western Azerbaijan”
11. The message of the UN special rapporteur on cultural rights issues addressed to Azerbaijan on the state of cultural and religious significant places in Nagorno Karabakh
12. “Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage Monitoring Project” Team in Syunik
13. The Austrian parliament unanimously passed a resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
14. Azerbaijani-Led Excavations in Tigranakert: An Overview
15. Lemkin Genocide Prevention Institute’s Alerts on Azerbaijani Genocide for Artsakh Armenians
16. Cleaning works in Hakobavank
17. Early Christian Square of Tigranakert Falsely Portrayed as Panah's
18. An International Handbook “Caucasian Albania” is Published
19. The electronic version of “The Monumental Culture of Artsakh” research is available at monumentwatch.org
20. On February 22, 2023, within the framework of the “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” the International Court of Justice in The Hague, made a decision on the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, rejecting Azerbaijan’s counterclaim.
21. The book “Fortresses of the Kashatagh region of the Republic of Artsakh” has been published
22. Book “The Study of Medieval Monuments in the Territory of the Khachen Principality” by Tigran Aleksanyan has been published
23. The book “Artsakh’s endangered Armenian cultural heritage” by Raffi Kortoshyan has been published

Details and facts

1. How to protect. The warrior and his family.
2. Khachkar, 13th century, Haterk, Artsakh.
3. Khachenek (Khacinek) Anetsi and Shahen. Bri Yeghtsi monastery complex, Artsakh.
4. Khachenek (Khacinek) Anetsi and Shahen. Bri Yeghtsi monastery complex, Artsakh
5. The khachkar of the Ghazar compiler. Amaras Monastery, Artsakh.
6. Khachkar, Kolatak, now in Hakobavank, Artsakh.
7. Mother’s tender emotion. The mother and the warrior son. Koshik Anapat, Artsakh.
8. Dadivank monastery, the khachkar of 1182 AD.
9. Dadivank monastery, khachkar 1283 AD.
10. Tartar Valley, Artsakh.
11. In memory of our nation and parents.
12. Princess Arzukhatun about her sons, Dadivank, Katoghike (main) church․
13. Two khachkars - the story of one family. Handaberd Monastery, Karvachar.
14. Charektar Monastery, Upper Tartar Valley, Artsakh.
15. Unique winged khachkar (cross stone) with a sundial

Business trips

The "Monitoring of the Cultural Heritage of Artsakh" team embarked on three separate business trips to the border settlements of Syunik, with the primary objective of examining monuments and cultural structures.

The initial business trip occurred from September 20 to 24, with the following participants:

• Hamlet Petrosyan
• Ruben Hovsepyan
• Hamazasp Abrahamyan

The team conducted surveys in the following settlements: Khnatsakh, Vaghatur, Khoznavar, Tegh, Aravus, Kornidzor, and Khndzoresk.

The second business trip occurred from October 27 to 31, with the following participants:

• Hamlet Petrosyan
• Luba Kirakosyan
• Gayane Budaghyan
• Haykuhi Muradyan
• Hamazasp Abrahamyan
• Arman Grigoryan

The team conducted surveys in the following settlements: Verishen, Akner, and Hin Khot.

The third business trip occurred from November 16 to 20, with the following participants:

• Hamlet Petrosyan
• Haykuhi Muradyan
• Arman Grigoryan
• Ruben Hovsepyan
• Hamazasp Abrahamyan

The team conducted surveys in the following settlements: Shinuhayr, Halidzor, and Bardzravan.

Cooperation

Regarding cooperation, the "Monitoring of Artsakh Cultural Heritage" program maintained strong collaboration throughout 2023. The program worked closely with various entities, including:

1. "Caucasus Heritage Watch" program,
2. RAA Foundation,
3. Artsakh Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports,
4. Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Armenia.

Special thanks are extended to the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan State University, specifically the Department of Cultural Studies, for their professional and collaborative support.

We express our gratitude to all our partners for their cooperation. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the coming year.