The situation with protection of historical monuments is deplorable

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-How are historical monuments protected in Azerbaijan?

- With the exception of certain monuments in Azerbaijan, the historical and cultural heritage is not protected. Although I cannot say the same, since the most famous monuments are subject to undesirable operations over time. For example, for some time this was the case with the Maiden's Tower, repair and restoration work has been going on in Icherisheher for years. The status of the protected area is not observed. Municipalities and other structures capture the territories of nature reserves, under the guise of restoration, monuments are subjected to ongoing repairs, the historical appearance of the monuments is destroyed, as they are faced with modern materials. The worst thing is that under the guise of creating some kind of infrastructure or communications, dozens of monuments were destroyed. For example, under the pretext of the "Winter Boulevard" in the streets of Fizuli, S. Badalbeyli, M. Aliyev, dozens of historical monuments brought to the state registry of the country were demolished.

What common sense, what logic can explain the destruction of more than a hundred monuments in the historic quarter, called Soviet. Discovered during the demolition in the deeper layers of the earth, the ruins of ancient buildings were hastily concreted, destroyed the historical view of the monuments, calling it the arrangement. Despite the presence of certain legislative acts, as well as the accession of Azerbaijan in this field to international documents, the current situation shows that the situation in this sphere is deplorable. The specialized structures created in the Soviet era, the material and technical base, experienced personnel, technology, norms and standards were destroyed, and nothing new was created instead.

Protection of individual monuments in the regions remain on the conscience of local structures. For example, Nakhchivan and Sheki partially can be considered satisfactory. In the sense that Azerbaijan is a rare territory of the world space due to the antiquity of its heritage, the presence of various cultures, as well as sustainable and long-lasting settlement for tens of thousands of years. Our country is one of the territories where urban culture originated. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of dozens of cities with a history of more than five thousand years. Tabriz, Nakhchivan, Barda, Ganja, Shamakhi, as well as Baku, mentioned in the most ancient writings. This is a chance and advantage of our country, which if used can get more benefits than from archaeological excavations. Therefore, such a hostile attitude of officials towards cultural heritage should be regarded as an activity directed against the state.

- You are aware of demolition and construction works periodically carried out in Icherisheher. Currently, there is again some work underway. What state agency is responsible for the work carried out in this historical reserve? Who is responsible for what is happening?

-There is a hierarcy in the protection of monuments. First of all, it is the Cabinet of Ministers, approving the list of historical and cultural monuments and including them in the state register. Then the corresponding executive structures, the cultural heritage department of the Ministry of Culture, the reserve's directorate, are directly connected with Icherisheher. According to their position, this Directorate directs all the work in the reserve. Unfortunately, in all conflict situations this structure did not commit any selfless actions to protect monuments, for which it is directly responsible, and did not even fulfill its direct functions.

When in 2006-2009, when we were against mass demolitions in the territory facing Azneft Square, when lawsuits were filed, the lawyer of the Reserve's Directorate defended the company building the hotel. Interestingly, the demolition of buildings along Neftyanikov Avenue 87-85, which were included in the list of cultural monuments, in 2009 and the following years, was authorized by the Directorate of the Reserve, explaining that buildings spoil the appearance of the Maiden's Tower. Although this building was located 30-50 meters from the tower and since 1885 it was somehow linked to it. And now the structure, the distance between which and the fortress wall is not even five meters, for some reason does not negatively affect the appearance of the fortress wall. In their understanding, the old building spoils the appearance of the Maiden's Tower, and the restaurant will not affect the appearance of the fortress walls.

- There is an opinion that the agreement or disagreement of those responsible for what is happening in Icherisheher does not change anything. That is, everything happens with the consent of the top. For several days, the responsible authorities persistently refute the presence in this area of demolition and construction, proving that the historical monuments will not be damaged. Why there is sucn an attitude to historical monuments?

- I have no answer to this question. I know that over the years, other people have also been looking for an answer to this question. Even the former chief architect of Baku, Senan Alizadeh, who participated in one of our events, asked why they were doing this ... really deliberately. I dont know. In all laws, in the Constitution it is written that the duty of everyone to protect the historical and cultural heritage that is relevant to everyone is our heritage. Maybe because experts are not competent in any field, maybe because historical consciousness does not dominate society.

Maybe because unlimited power pushes bureaucrats to arbitrariness, public opinion is not taken into account ... There are a lot of these "cans" ... However, all this together does not explain such activity or indifference, which can be regarded as suicidal actions by officials. Nations and states are known and distinguished by their history and culture; this is their identification code.

- Icherisheher is also included in the UNESCO list. It means that there is an obligation to protect historical monuments both to Azerbaijan and to UNESCO. However, it turns out that this fact is not significant. What does the practice of UNESCO say? What do you think Azerbaijan will respond to international organizations in the event of harm? Or what may UNESCO require from Azerbaijan?

- The other cultural networks existing in the world criticize UNESCO for their slow and toothless activities. It is a structure of states and sometimes makes diplomatic overtures. Azerbaijan has joined other international conventions and declarations. For example, about European cultural heritage ... Monuments belonging to the world cultural heritage, if I may say so, have a more enhanced status. Our legislation has enough mechanisms. The protected areas have a special status - the use of heavy equipment is prohibited here; representatives of a special archaeological expedition should participate in the work in the depths of the earth. There is an association of historical cities ... Once, due to new buildings, UNESCO included Icherisheher in the list of monuments in danger - this is a high-rise building opposite the Maiden's Tower, behind the market square and so on ... This can happen again ... Because there are new the buildings. Everyone, according to his taste, has been carrying out work on "arrangement" in recent years. There is no need to arrange historical territories, they must preserve the spirit of their time.

- How are such monuments as Icherisheher protected in foreign countries? What does the practice of foreign countries?

-I have been in two historical cities where international events were held: Kotor in Montenegro and Mechelen in Belgium. Although officially the territory of the reserve is not marked. In Istanbul, where a high level of protection of numerous monuments of architecture, no one polishes historic buildings covered with moss.

A campaign was carried out in Kotor - an economic zone was organized in a fairly remote area from the reserve. Activists believed that she could leave in the shadow of the reserve. I can not say anything about Belgium, because there for 3-4 years dust brushed like dust. However, there was no work without resistance. Europe claims that until the 40s-50s of the 20th century, some damage was caused to monuments, but the Commissioner for Youth and Culture believes that at present, the culture for them is above the economy. At one time in Istanbul, architects and those who are related to this area, conducted thousands of processions. Nowhere in the world, whether in Asia or Europe, new buildings are not being built in the historic center of the city. Only if necessary, while limiting to 5-7 floors, the construction is carried out and in order not to spoil the scale of ancient buildings. And we have orders and decrees of the president, however ... It seems that such notions as antiques, a museum, an archive do not reach our officials and businessmen ... In normal states, professionals do all things, their laws work, and public opinion plays a serious role.

-What do you suggest? What is necessary for the protection of historical monuments in Azerbaijan? What should the government and the people do?

- Each state has its own priorities, there are important political directions. Values ​​must be defined. Currently in the world, preference is given to ecology, healthy lifestyle, protection of cultural environment. The highest-ranking officials of our country and the entire hierarchy of power should understand how important the protection of historical and cultural heritage is in such a sensitive situation in which the country is located. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an example of the fact that we did not popularize our heritage in time and sufficiently. At the time when the factual commission on monitors in Nakhchivan and Karabakh is working, the destruction of monuments in the capital gives an additional argument to our ill-wishers. More than ten years ago, the president signed decrees on the preparation of a state program for the protection of historical and cultural monuments. Wherever we went with a request, there was no answer. On the contrary, the existing monuments were demolished. In recent years, changes in the protection and restoration of historical and cultural monuments have been presented and adopted in the Milli Majlis - it seems that this is due to the presence of a program for the demolition of monuments. The concept of restoration work was replaced by the concept of work on monuments ... In the previously existing laws there was such an item - the monuments included in the state register cannot be removed from it. But this item was removed. Then the package lists of monuments in the Soviet street was removed from the registry.

Changes made to the law should be reversed, it is necessary to integrate into existing world practice. Destroyed restoration structures should be restored; specialists should be assembled into a single fist. It is necessary to observe seriously the measures in the law for protection, it is necessary to toughen the punishment for damage to monuments. Funds for culture must be increased, serious public control is necessary. The state should involve individual experts and their structures in measures for the protection of cultural heritage. The public must put serious pressure in connection with violations. The media should prepare educational programs, programs and materials. Recently, we have prepared a long package of proposals, unfortunately, in recent years we have been forced to engage in rescue actions.