Alert: 'We Are Our Mountains' is under threat of destruction

2026-04-24

In response to reports on Azerbaijani social media about plans to destroy Artsakh’s iconic monument, We Are Our Mountains,

and in light of recent reports in both Armenian and Azerbaijani media indicating that two Armenian spiritual and cultural landmarks in Stepanakert, Artsakh—the Church of St. Hakob and the Holy Mother of God Cathedral—have been completely demolished,

and given the repeatedly documented and unmistakable pattern of Azerbaijan’s destruction of Armenian historical and cultural heritage,

Geghard Scientific Analytical Foundation appeals to international cultural institutions, including UNESCO, the ICOMOS, global Christian organizations, and major religious centers, including the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches:

to prevent and counter Azerbaijan’s policy of cultural vandalism,

to verify and clarify the status of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh, particularly monuments that have been vandalized or reported to have been vandalized.

In light of the recent warming of relations between the Holy See and Azerbaijan, as well as the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Azerbaijan, the Foundation especially appeals to these institutions for support in documenting, verifying, and drawing international attention to acts of vandalism against Armenian Christian heritage in territories currently under Azerbaijani control.

Should additional information or further factual evidence regarding acts of vandalism become available, the Geghard Foundation calls upon these institutions and organizations to exert pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from destroying Armenian cultural heritage, erasing the indigenous Armenian presence, and engaging in further acts of vandalism.

The Geghard Foundation also calls on its followers to share any relevant information or evidence they may have and, whenever possible, to assist in documenting and gathering such materials.