“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2024
2024
As we noted in our previous article, at the end of May, in the heart of Warsaw, in front of the Kościół Sióstr Wizytek church, the photo exhibition "Christian Heritage in the Multicultural Identity of Azerbaijan" was opened.
The exhibition was organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Poland. In the exhibition, the Christian heritage was presented as Caucasian Albanian, erasing the Armenian identity of the monuments.
This is a gross violation of international conventions and declarations by Azerbaijan. This is not the first instance where Azerbaijani state propaganda has exploited national minorities to appropriate Armenian heritage. The Udi community living in Azerbaijan is no exception to this practice.
Recently, one of the Azerbaijani websites, referring to the photo exhibition held in Warsaw, claimed that the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism is studied worldwide and recognized as a model for building relations between nations and faiths. The website asserted that nations and faiths in Azerbaijan coexist in conditions of peace and complete mutual understanding.
No matter how much Azerbaijani propaganda tries to mislead the international community with its "democratic," "multicultural," and "tolerant" image, and despite the resources spent promoting this image, one should recall their policy in Artsakh towards Armenian identity and cultural heritage, including its appropriation, destruction, and distortion.
It is interesting that the same article writer also referred to the material published by us, the "Geghard" Foundation, noting that: the statement of the "Geghard" Scientific Analytical Foundation is circulated on the public pages of Armenia, and then allegedly "presents" the history and mission of the foundation. The author of the article himself confirms the activity of the foundation. that is, "the fight against anti-Armenian propaganda" (also against Azerbaijani historiographical falsifications).
Interestingly, the same auther also referred to material published by the "Geghard" Foundation, noting that: the statement of the "Geghard" Scientific Analytical Foundation was spread, and then "presents" the history and mission of the foundation. The author of the article himself confirms the foundation's activity, stating it is focused on "the fight against anti-Armenian propaganda" (we add also against Azerbaijani historiographical falsifications).
The Azerbaijani website, seemingly attempting to counter the article published by the "Geghard" Scientific Analytical Foundation, sought a comment from Robert Mobili, head of the Albanian-Udi Christian religious community of Azerbaijan. He remarked, "The event was not related to Armenians but focused on the Christian heritage in Azerbaijan. Our goal was to show the restoration and protection of Catholic and Orthodox churches."
One should not forget Azerbaijan's two-faced policey. On one hand, it strives to appropriate Armenian heritage and eliminate Armenian trace, while on the other hand, it tries to craft a "democratic" and "tolerant" image for itself in the eyes of the international community