November 25, 2010 - 20:39 AMT
ARTICLE
Baku myths about ‘Albanian crosses’ or Azerbaijani Culture Minister’s lies
Armenian khachkars can be seen in any corner of the world where Armenians used to live. Azerbaijan is not an exception.
As a “worthy” representative of Azerbaijani leadership, Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev disseminated lies about the meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, in Nairobi Nov 15-19.

During the Nov 17 meeting, in a discussion of Armenian Culture Ministry’s application, Armenian Cross-Stones Art. Symbolism and Craftsmanship of Khachkars was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This fact aroused indignation of the delegation from Azerbaijani, the country which demolished about 1000 Armenian khachkars in Julfa.

Addressing a press conference in Baku, Garayev said that “Armenian delegation’s attempt to include Albanian crosses in Azerbaijan in the UNESCO list as Armenian khachkars was prevented.”

“As a result of exchange of views, the samples were included in the list under another name and inclusion of Albanian crosses was prevented,” he said.

Meanwhile, we strongly advise the people of Azerbaijan to visit UNESCO’s official website, http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00434 to read the organization’s resolution.

Armenian khachkars can be seen in any corner of the world where Armenians used to live. Azerbaijan is not an exception. However, the country’s leadership has been trying to eliminate any sign of Armenian culture throughout the territory over years.

Yekaterina Poghosyan / PanARMENIAN News