Peculiarities of the sphere of cultural heritage protection in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

The purpose of the article: To consider and analyze the features of the monument protection sector of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Task: To review the state of the sphere of cultural heritage protection, the principles of implementing the state policy for the development of monument protection in the specified country. The research methodology was formed by the principles of historicism, systematics, general scientific methods of logic, comparative analysis, special historical methods (historiographic analysis, historical-systemic, chronological, historical-genetic, retrospective analysis, comparative-historical). Scientific novelty lies in the study of the stages of formation and development of the sphere of cultural heritage protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, national features of the monument protection legislation of the specified country. The article considers the issues of determining the composition of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The author, based on a study of scientific and normative sources, sets out the features of legislation in the field of cultural heritage protection, provides a classification of monuments, formulates a conclusion on the need to study the historical aspects of the protection of cultural heritage monuments in educational institutions. Conclusions and results of the study. In science, the problem of cultural heritage protection in the Republic of Azerbaijan is practically not disclosed. There are very few publications on this topic. Therefore, we consider it necessary to provide additional arguments in favor of the need for scientific research into the concept and composition of cultural heritage, because cultural heritage monuments are the national wealth of the Azerbaijani people.

Today, more than 6 thousand historical and cultural monuments, monuments, and examples of decorative art are under protection in Azerbaijan.

According to the level of cultural significance, in accordance with Article 7 of the Law "On the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments", monuments are divided into monuments of world, state, and local importance. However, in the monument protection legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan does not contain criteria according to which monuments belong to one or another category of cultural significance, but it is indicated that the division of monuments into categories of significance in accordance with international standards is carried out and approved by the relevant executive body based on the conclusion of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.

According to generally accepted practice, monuments of world importance are considered to be objects that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are two such monuments in the Republic of Azerbaijan: the fortress city of Baku with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower; the Gobustan Cultural Landscape with Rock Paintings. In addition, 10 sites have been proposed by the Republic of Azerbaijan as candidates for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The material and spiritual wealth of the Azerbaijani people is the Azerbaijani carpet as a result of intellectual activity. As stated in Article 1 of the Law “On the Preservation and Development of Azerbaijani Carpet Art” dated December 7, 2004 No. 799-IIG, the Azerbaijani carpet reflects the aesthetic worldview, artistic talent, originality and cultural identity of the people. The traditional art of carpet weaving in the Republic of Azerbaijan is that carpets are made by hand. It is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation.

According to Article 34 of the Law "On Culture" in the Republic of Azerbaijan, cultural values are recorded in the State List of National Cultural Property and the Protected Lists of Cultural Values of the relevant territories. These lists include information about the origin of the cultural property, its owner, description of the object, value and degree of protection. Based on this data, a certificate is issued to the owner of the cultural property.

It should be emphasized that the Republic of Azerbaijan has an effective system of liability for the destruction, damage or destruction of cultural heritage monuments.

In conclusion, we note that in educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, aspects of protection, use and restoration of cultural heritage monuments are practically not studied. A similar situation has developed in other countries. Probably, this is not entirely correct from the point of view of training future specialists for the monument protection industry, law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and central executive authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to organize training in educational institutions on various aspects of the protection, use, and restoration of cultural heritage.