Abstract
This chapter examines cultural contestation between former Soviet states, focussing on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the period 1992–1994 over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh. The ceasefire, signed on 5 May 1994, formally gives sovereignty over the enclave to Azerbaijan. Yet, Armenian armed forces are in control. The enclave has its own administrative structure based on Armenian law. The inhabitants are mainly ethnic Armenians (95%) but Nagorno Karabakh is also home to Assyrian, Greek, Russian, Kurdish and other minorities. Several reports mention the destruction of cultural heritage in the district. According to Azerbaijani authorities, traces of Azerbaijani cultural heritage are erased, for example, the replacing of inscriptions on monuments by Armenian inscriptions.
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van Heese, M. (2018). The War Over Nagorno-Karabakh and Its Lasting Effects on Cultural Heritage. In: Rodenberg, J., Wagenaar, P. (eds) Cultural Contestation. Palgrave Studies in Cultural Heritage and Conflict. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91914-0_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91914-0_9
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