Activists protect the old building in Baku (Photo - Video)

Baku/06.05.19/Turan: The amateur cinema "Salaam Cinema" Located in a historic building in Baku on Suleyman Rustam Street 10 faced the threat of eviction. Activists fear that, following the eviction, the building will be destroyed.

This building was built in 1913 as a Molokan prayer house. In Soviet times, it housed the Radio Communications House. In the post-Soviet, time the building was empty and in fact turned out to be abandoned. Recently, it was put in order by enthusiasts from "Salaam Cinema" and film screenings were held here. A month ago in social networks, there were reports that the building will be demolished. Users began to urge the public to defend her and allow her to demolish the architectural monument. On Monday afternoon, police officers appeared at the building, accompanying representatives of a certain private owner of the building.

This happened just at the moment when a seminar was held in the building of the European Imagine festival. Police and owner representatives demanded the release of the building. However, representatives of "Salaam Cinema" refused to do this, fearing the demolition of the building. Force was used against them. Several people suffered. After that, representatives of the police and other government agencies resorted to persuasion and began to assure that the building would not be demolished, but it must be released because it is in disrepair. In response, one of the activists said that they should be presented with an official document that the question of the historical significance of the building will be investigated. Activists also demanded conclusions about the emergency condition of the building.

They refused to leave the building until the state authorities clarify and ensure the safety of the building. In connection with the conflict situation around the building, the head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, and his deputy, Denis Daniiliidis, arrived at the scene. They listened to the representatives of "Salaam Cinema". Diplomats, however, refrained from commenting for the media.

A representative of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage stated that the building is not included the list of historical monuments. However, the question is taken under control and the civil service examine the historical value of the building. If it is recognized as a historical monument, it will not be demolished under any circumstances, and no historical damage will be caused to its historical appearance, even if it is in private ownership. The activists appealed to the first vice-president of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, with a request to intervene and help protect this historical and cultural monument, and create conditions for its effective use. -16D--