Azerbaijani websites up in arms about Baku.am, which covers rich information about history of Baku’s Armenian community
Citing Pubilka.az, Azerbaijani website Gundelik-baku.com protests against Baku.am, which presents materials covering the rich history and heritage of the Armenian community of the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
The website objects to the fact that the Armenians have played an active socio-political role in Baku for centuries. For example, Baku.am writes about the pogroms of the Armenian population in Baku in 1905, 1918 and 1990, which Gundelik-baku.com claims have not happened.
In the description of Baku.am, however, it is highlighted in four languages (Azerbaijani, Armenian, English and Russian) that the purpose of the website is “to present and enlighten the prosperous past and inheritance of the Armenian community of Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan.” The website targets scientific organisations, achieves and everyone interested in the history of the Armenian communities and Baku.
Moreover, Baku.am points out that the human rights violations, as well as the anti- Armenian propaganda implemented on the state level in Azerbaijan prohibit any mentioning of the role of the Armenians in the history of Azerbaijan, and particularly in the history of Baku. “In this regards the website has an important mission to reveal the forgotten or forbidden pages of the history of Baku. The website does not follow any purpose to stir up national passions; it gives an opportunity to acknowledge the past and to secure the peaceful coexistence of the two neighbour nations in future,” Baku.am writes.
The Armenian community in Baku fell victim to the genocide, which was well planned by Azerbaijani and Turkish authorities and carried out in three stages. As a result, the Armenian element that made great contribution to the history of development of Baku city ceased to exist.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Baku as a large industrial centre in the Transcaucasia region of the Russian Empire had rich Armenian civilizational presence. The Armenians were the third large ethnic group after the Russians and multi-tribal Muslim population in the city. Nevertheless, Armenians had leading role in social, industrial and cultural life of the city. Due to the Armenian entrepreneurs’ activities, Baku oil industry ran up.
The buildings constructed with the support of the Armenian businessmen and designed by talented Armenian architects in European architectural best traditions and styles so far decorate Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. The official anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijani authorities does not tolerate any mentioning of the Armenian existence in Baku and of their great contribution to the history of the city.
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