The First Cultural Forum of the Turkic World Continues in Shusha

On October 14, 2023, within the framework of the Forum, a panel session “Protection and Restoration of Common Cultural and Historical Heritage” was held, organized by the Turkic Academy and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The panel session discussed the following topics: “Best practices for the protection and restoration of cultural and historical heritage” and “Public policy and international cooperation” During the meeting, the Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Sabina Hajiyeva, spoke about the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan and Shusha. Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Fuad Mamedov made an opening speech and introduced the participants of the panel session to the guests. The founder of the Kazakh scientific restoration laboratory, restoration scientist, academician Krym Altynbekov told the session participants about his activities. Aidai Sulaymanova, a researcher at the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnology named after B. Chamgerchinov of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, made a report on the Saimaly-Tash rock paintings, which are of great importance not only for the Turks, but also for human history. Zeynep Gül Ünal, Head of the General Directorate of Cultural Property and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, spoke on the topic “Rapidly developing disasters and crises” and touched upon the unifying power of cultural heritage. An expert from the Cultural Department of the Institute of Fine Arts of the National Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Head of the Architecture Department Mavlyuda Yusupova, made a report on the architectural monuments of Uzbekistan. After the panel session, the event participants discussed the results of the meeting and the concept of the “Cultural Routes of the Turkic World” initiative, the goal of which is to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world. As a result of the First Cultural Forum of the Turkic World, the Shusha Declaration was adopted, which will define clear goals for the protection and popularization of the historical and cultural heritage for the Turkic states.