in Russian – https://aga-tribunal.info/heritage-24-2-2021/

On February 24, 2021 (from 16:00 to 18:00 Moscow time), the public organization “Crossroads” (“Khachmeruk”) organized the first discussion within the online round table “The Karabakh conflict: through culture towards peace”. The announcement was earlier on February 8 on the website, in social networks and in the mailing. There will be a second discussion on February 25, and those who wish to participate can indicate their intention. The publication of a brochure is planned.

The event is timed to coincide with February 28 – the state Day of Remembrance for the victims of pogroms in Azerbaijan. More and more people and organizations agree that the crimes committed by Azerbaijan since 1918 should be considered as a complex, and they should be qualified as crimes of genocide. Azerbaijan’s mass crimes against the Armenian cultural heritage is a culturecide – an integral part of the Armenian Genocide. This topic is not an “internal Armenian question” – it is an international issue.

Here are the names of 13 participants on the first day and topics of speakers on February 24.

Welcome words:

• Melania Balayan, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh
• Hovhannes Alexanian, Head of Strategic Research, Office of the Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia (Yerevan)

Vahan Babakhanyan, public organization of sociological and political science initiatives “Crossroads” (“Khachmeruk”), member of the Coordinating council of Russian-Armenian organizations (Sankt-Petersburg)

“From declarative appeals and “being concern” to practical protection of the cultural heritage of Artsakh”

Martik Gasparyan, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, RANS, MADENM, WAEN (Moscow)

“Culturecide: threats and challenges of modern civilization”

Arthur Gevorkyan, Director of the National park-museum of sculpture in Gyumri, Chairman of the NGO “Gyumri Cultural experimental center”, sculptor (Gyumri)

“The state of cultural heritage after the war in the occupied territories”

Oleg Gabrielyan, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor (Sшmferopol)

“Culture as the basis and factor of national security”

Ksenia Brodatskaya, Head of the Library-Branch No. 10 of the Kalininsky District (Sankt-Petersburg)

“Roerich’s Pact in support of Armenian cultural values of world significance”

Hovik Avanesov, Scientific researcher, Center for Caucasian Studies, Mesrop Mashtots University, member of the Public Council for Protection of Cultural Heritage “COHEP” (Stepanakert, Republic of Armenia)

“Destruction and appropriation of the Armenian cultural heritage as the state policy of Azerbaijan”

Mihran Shakhzadeyan, political scientist, Doctor of Philosophy (Moscow) 

“Ideology and practice of culturecide on the part of Azerbaijan”

As observers:

Sergey Skorodumov,  Vice President of the International Center of the Roerichs (Moscow) https://icr.su/rus/news/icr/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=6859

Marga Kutsarova, Head of the Bulgarian branch of the International Center of the Roerichs, specialist in International Law in the field of protection of cultural heritage (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Albina Sukiasyan, Chairman of the regional public organization “Armenian cultural and educational society “Ararat” (Moscow)

Bella Ohanyan (Moscow)