«It Is Impossible to Destroy the Armenian Spirit of Shushi» – Artsakh Foreign Ministry

The Artsakh Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the massacres of the Armenian population of Shushi: “Today, we bow our heads in memory of the innocent victims of the mass massacres of the Armenian population of Shushi. These massacres were carried out by the newly established authorities of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 102 years ago, from March 22 to 26, 1920.

This horrific crime, driven by Azerbaijan's expansionist ambitions, claimed the lives of tens of thousands, many of whom were brutally killed, while the survivors were forcibly expelled from their homes. The majority of Shushi, the capital of Artsakh and a historical and cultural center, was completely destroyed and remained in ruins until the mid-20th century, when it was thoroughly demolished by the Azerbaijani authorities.

The Shushi massacre, in which Turkish officers and emissaries actively participated, was yet another attempt to transfer the genocide of Armenians to Eastern Armenia in the context of the implementation of pan-Turkic ideology. This horrifying tragedy highlighted the true intentions of the Azerbaijani authorities towards Artsakh and the Armenian people. It not only altered the demographics of Shushi but also left an indelible mark on the atmosphere of the city and predetermined future processes.

Nearly 70 years later, the Azerbaijani authorities resorted once again to their tried-and-true tool – the massacre and displacement of innocent Armenians – organizing mass killings and massacres in Sumgait, Baku, Ganja (Kirovabad), and other settlements of the former Azerbaijan SSR.

In 2020, the tragedy recurred. During the 44-day aggression unleashed against the Republic of Artsakh, Azerbaijan occupied Shushi, resulting in the depopulation of the city. Just as in 1920, in 2020, Azerbaijan sought not only to annihilate the Armenian population of Shushi and all of Artsakh but also to erase its history, culture, and spirit. Azerbaijan remains committed to this strategy to this day.

However, it is impossible to destroy the Armenian spirit of Shushi, which is indissolubly linked to Artsakh. It was reborn in May 1992 and will be reborn again.”