Disputing on a new symbol of Shusha and the Azerbaijani nation

Foundation of a new mosque has been laid in Shusha on May 12. The foundation ceremony was attended by country’s heads.

Words are running high in Azerbaijan: is there any need in a new mosque while there are two historical mosques in the town with its sparse population? Others are debating over project’s ultramodern style. Wouldn’t a new building disharmonize the historical appearance of country’s cultural capital?

A fellow of Oxford University and political expert Leyla Aliyeva in an interview to Turan stressed the importance of a central, higher building or sculpture for any town representative of nation’s authentic value. Dominating over Tbilisi is a sculpture «Mother Georgia». It’s a matter of great importance for country’s perception. The highest building in Baku is a building of SOCAR; however, oil cannot be value of Azerbaijani society abound with national culture. Dominating over Shusha could be a sculpture of woman — poetess Natavan or Mamed Emin Rasulzadeh, founder of the first Republic.

When it comes to secular Azerbaijan, a mosque cannot be a basic symbol, especially in Shusha with historically developed national culture.  Azerbaijan cannot offer the world its symbol in the form of mosque. We are neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran with its image of Islam Defender, L. Aliyeva says.

To her thinking, any construction plan in Shusha, including renovation works, should be agreed with the public, particularly with Shusha residents, and non-governmental organizations.

Many observers say that mosque’s enormity conveys no semantic charge. It is senseless as is the case with  «white elephants» for money laundering. A Mehriban Vezir’s essay says that historical mosques in Shusha were built at the expense of local nobility. To build a mosque at the public crib means none other than build Allah’ home at the expense of money skimmed from orphans.

«I’m no judge of project’s artistic merits, for I’m not a specialist. It will be recalled that many experts wrote that the project was reminiscent of launched space vehicle on Gagarin’s monument in Moscow. Also, they compared it with Dubai high rises. It’d be appropriate for us to erect a monument of Natavan at Shusha’s highest point or build a library to thus demonstrate our values and image worldwide.

I take official logic which says that the mosque in Shusha is a counter-demonstration to Armenia with its claims to predominance in the Christian world. It is obvious that through constructing the great mosque Azerbaijan kicks back Armenian claims. But it is a fact that we cannot follow competition logic in modern world. In so doing, we are fuelling reductionist, inadequate logic. The point is that religion bears no responsibility for everything in our world and is opposed to main criteria of state and nation. Our chief asset are contribution to the modern culture and ability to get modernized, not participation in religious competition», political analysts noted. 

Known as critic of house-building innovations (rather destructive) in Baku, architect Elchin Aliyev replied Turan’ questions.  

He emphasized that a mosque project as is seen on drawing cannot be implemented, especially its minaret forms.

E. Aliyev considers it correct to erect a new present-day mosque in Shusha, historical Azerbaijani town.

«Shusha is in need of architectural centerpiece linked to our culture to outbrave recent sacral erections which cannot be modified nor stripped downя. Neighborhood of historical and modern architecture in Shusha is not astonishing: regardless of whether we want it or not, «old» architecture is replaced by the new one, this is a centuries long world process», he maintained. 

In E. Aliyev’s opinion, neighborhood of old and new buildings in historical environment is admissible and even advisable.

Suffice to mention Ostankino television tower in Moscow; Eiffel tower in Paris, modernist building «cucumber» in London.

As the architect sees it, at issue is a quality of architecture and professionalism of its creators.

It has to be kept in mind that a structural part of the design raises some questions – Is it possible to build so high and curved minarets? It might happen as was the case with a SOCAR’s new building on Heydar Aliyev Ave: a form of the building was plain and perfect, sound. Instead, an incomplete step pyramid was erected.

E. Aliyev is astonished that no open competition has been invited. Any Azerbaijani architect would feel compelled to engage in the project. Tens of designs would be submitted within a month, and perhaps, better project. The country would have a chance, the people would unite together to discuss a brilliant idea. That’s what we are missing now. In the meanwhile, an open competition was invited for logotype of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

In his interview Aliyev emphasized that «I’d rather refrain from any criticism of the project – first, the project has been presented by President of my country; second (critical approach — ed. note), as specialist on the matter I believe that the project has to be based on function, not digital form.

«Alas! We wished our best, you know the rest — as it used to be prior to Karabakh’ liberation. No transparency and publicity promised…», architect Elchin Aliyev ended his interview.

No names of architects of the new project are so far made public. Upon laying the foundation of the mosque, President I. Aliyev said:

- I’ve long since decided to build it. After driving invaders out Shusha I set sights on mosque’s architecture … It should be noted that Shusha architecture is notable for its specific features. Suffice it say that current Shusha mosques were erected in integral style, so I set to thinking about architecture of a new mosque. It took several months for me to settle on the idea. Finally I came to the conclusion that this mosque and its architecture are meant to bear a symbolic nature. With that end in view I suggested that a mosque form should reflect a figure of 8. The truth is that we liberated Shusha from invaders on 8 November, so this figure is an official Victory Day in Azerbaijan. Two minarets are set reflect a figure 11. It was the eleventh month that Shusha and Karabakh had been liberated from invaders. Guided by these ideas, architects got down to work, and external appearance of the mosque is presented here. This is an initial version; so much work has still to be done.

Beyond any doubt, proposals on mosque’s internal design are not yet over. Conceptually, the mosque’s architecture will reflect a figure 8 top-bottom. Also, the construction site is not coincidental. These will include an upper part of Shusha, so the mosque will dominate over the town. That’s the way it goes: Shusha is our ancient Azerbaijani town founded by Azerbaijanis.-0-