cultural heritage

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Satellite imagery showing the St Hovhannes Mkrtich church in December 2023 (left) and April 2024 (right). Image via Caucasus Heritage Watch.

Armenia

Azerbaijan reportedly destroys Armenian church in Shusha

by Arshaluys Barseghyan

•2 min read

The Caucasus Heritage Watch has reported that Azerbaijan has destroyed a 177-year-old church in the city of Shusha (Shushi), in Nagorno-Karabakh. On Thursday, Caucasus Heritage Watch, an open-source cultural sites watchdog, reported that the St Hovhannes Mkrtich church had been destroyed by Azerbaijan. They analysed satellite imagery appearing to show that the church was completely destroyed between 28 December 2023 and 4 April 2024. The group covers the erasure of Armenian heritage i

cultural heritage

Protests in Tbilisi after development above historic sulphur baths restart

by OC Media

•3 min read

Protests in Tbilisi’s old neighbourhood against constructions above the city’s historic sulphur baths are set to resume, as urban policy activists vow to fight plans to construct two large multifunctional complexes. On 9 January dozens of activists gathered at Abanotubani, a district famous for Tbilisi’s old architecture, where they believe proposed projects do not fit. Controversy over proposed developments on Mirza Shapi Street have lasted over a decade. The land across the street is cu

cultural heritage

‘Georgian tolerance’ to be declared intangible cultural heritage

by OC Media

•2 min read

‘Georgian tolerance’ is to be granted the status of intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. The initiative was announced by the head of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze on 15 November, at a conference organised by the agency called Inter-religious Dialog for Peace. ‘Tolerance is one of the fundamental values of Georgia, which has allowed the various ethnic and religious groups of our country to perceive Georgia as their motherland. It has ensured their

Armenia

Construction next to Tbilisi Armenian church ‘illegal’

by OC Media

•2 min read

A construction permit to build a residential building in close vicinity to a damaged Armenian church in Tbilisi was issued illegally, according to a new study by Georgian rights group the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI). A three-storey house is currently being built next to the 18th century Shamkoretsots Surb Astvatsatsin Church, or Church of the Red Gospel, also referred to as Karmir Avetaran. The church is located in Tbilisi’s historically majority-Armenian Avlabari district. Th