President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Kichik Galaderesi village in the Shusha district on July 11, where he inspected the ongoing restoration of individual houses and infrastructure and met with residents who have returned to the village.
Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, briefed the head of state on the progress of the restoration works.
The village has 66 individual houses. Of these, 19 are beyond repair, while 47 can be restored. Twenty-six houses are ready for occupancy, while another 21 are scheduled to be completed next year. In the initial stage, 15 families comprising 51 people have returned to the village. By the end of this year, another 11 families, totaling 45 people, are expected to return.
A number of projects have been completed to develop the village’s social infrastructure. New gas and water lines have been laid, an artesian well has been restored, and 26 houses have been connected to the water supply network. A transformer substation has been installed, overhead power lines have been restored, a park and a Flag Square have been built, and internal village roads have been asphalted.
Kichik Galaderesi village is part of the Galaderesi administrative-territorial district of the Shusha district and is located 40 kilometers southwest of the district center. The village was occupied by Armenian armed forces in 1992 and was restored to Azerbaijan’s control following the anti-terror measures carried out in 2023.
Before the occupation, residents were primarily engaged in livestock breeding, vegetable cultivation, and beekeeping. The village had a secondary school, a kindergarten, a cultural center, a library, a medical station, and a communications office.
The head of state visited the home of village resident Asad Asadov.
President Ilham Aliyev then met and had a conversation with residents who had returned to the village.
Then, commemorative photographs were taken.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the restored Sadigjan House, a historical and architectural monument in Shusha on July 11.
Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha district, briefed the head of state on the restoration project.
During the occupation of Shusha, the building remained neglected for many years, resulting in severe deterioration of its roof, floors, and stone masonry. Part of its architectural elements was damaged, while the engineering infrastructure became completely unusable.
In accordance with an Order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2022, funds were allocated for the design and restoration of the house where renowned Azerbaijani musician, tar virtuoso, composer, and innovator of the tar, Mirza Asad oghlu Sadig (Sadigjan), lived.
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Sadigjan's house in 2022. A year later, the head of state reviewed the restoration concept, and restoration work on the historical monument commenced in 2024.
Located on Sadigjan Street in Shusha, the house-museum comprises a basement and two above-ground floors. Architecturally, the building is distinguished by its pointed-arch windows and the relatively large stone masonry framing the entrance. It is included in Azerbaijan's list of historical and architectural monuments of national significance.
The restored house-museum features exhibition halls dedicated to Sadigjan's life and legacy, Azerbaijan's national musical heritage, and Shusha's rich literary and artistic traditions. The complex also includes a concert hall, a mugham exhibition hall, a café, a souvenir shop, a reception area, and a musical instrument workshop.
The head of state was informed about the sculpture “The voice of eternity”
The sculpture presents a symbolic artistic interpretation of the tar, Azerbaijan's national musical instrument. In the composition, a tree rising from the instrument's strings symbolizes music emerging from the native soil, drawing strength from the nation's historical memory, and being continually renewed. The tree also represents deep roots, resilience, and rebirth.
The work is dedicated to the rich cultural heritage of Shusha, widely regarded as the cradle of Azerbaijani music. It portrays music not only as an art form but also as a symbol of national identity, spiritual values, and historical memory.
The monument was created by Honored Artist Rashad Mehdiyev.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reviewed the progress made under the public-private partnership project on Garabagh Street in Shusha on July 11.
As part of the public-private partnership project, a total of 10 multipurpose buildings have been constructed by local investors on Garabagh Street. These include hotels, apartment hotels, office buildings, and catering facilities.
During the construction works, special attention was paid not only to quality but also to ensuring that the buildings harmonize with Shusha’s overall architectural appearance. The project forms part of broader efforts to develop Shusha as a historic city and cultural capital. The newly constructed buildings further enhance the city's beauty and reflect the scale of the restoration and reconstruction works underway. They also contribute to the revival of Shusha’s economic life and help improve the comfort of both residents and visitors.
The project also demonstrates the high level of public-private partnership established in Azerbaijan.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reviewed the newly restored buildings of the “Yasaman” Hotel in Shusha on July 11. The restoration was carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov briefed the head of state on the restoration efforts.
The “Yasaman” Hotel was inaugurated in 2023 with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.
The exterior and interior of the hotel, restored in a style corresponding to its original appearance, were designed in keeping with Shusha’s medieval architectural traditions. The building, constructed in the mid-19th century in the style of the Garabagh architectural school, was destroyed during the occupation. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation prepared the design documentation for the project, and following the completion of restoration works in 2023, two hotel buildings began welcoming guests. The Foundation has now completed restoration and construction works on four additional buildings of the “Yasaman” Hotel.
The restoration project was based on a new concept that took into account the architectural features of traditional Shusha houses. The new boutique-style buildings also feature glazed verandas and terrace areas.
Based on archival photographs, the doors and windows were recreated in accordance with the original architectural style. Landscaping and beautification works have also been carried out in the courtyard.
