Azerbaijan Presents Dilijan and Haghartsin as 'Azerbaijani Historical Settlements'

The artificial entity of Azerbaijan continues to assert territorial claims against the Republic of Armenia at the state level, deepening its oppressive and aggressive politics day by day. Following the targeting of the Tatev Monastery, the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin, and the Harichavank, the Haghartsin Monastery has now come under Azerbaijani falsification, warns the "Ombudsman of Hayk Culture," Hovik Avanesyan.

The Haghartsin Monastery is located 18 km north of the town of Dilijan, in the village of Haghartsin, Tavush Province. The educational center of Haghartsin has been mentioned in historical records since the 13th century and quickly transformed into a significant cultural center. The rise of this center is primarily associated with the diverse activities of Khachatur of Taron. The distinctiveness of the monastery complex is provided by the three churches constructed in different historical periods, two gavit (one of which is ruined), and the dining hall. The oldest of these is St. Grigor Church (approx. 10th century), which is a cross-dome structure. Adjacent from the west is a large gavit with four columns, built at the end of the 12th century by Ivane Zakaryan. The high reliefs on the gavit’s corner flat ceilings (depicting human figures, roses, birds, angels, etc., along with small inscriptions) are characteristic of 13th-century Armenian sculpture. Near the southern wall of the gavit, remains of tomb structures have been preserved. Attached to the northern side of the church is a crypt chapel, while to the east stands the elegantly detailed, blue basalt-built St. Stephanos domed church (1244).

Azerbaijan's state propaganda machine not only distorts the history of this significant monastery complex but also represents the town of Dilijan and the village of Haghartsin as "Azerbaijani historical settlements." All of this once again proves that Azerbaijan possesses neither history nor culture, but appropriates the history and culture of the native peoples of the region, created over millennia.

As pointed out in the work of Lieutenant General Denikin, everything in Azerbaijan is fabricated and artificial: "In the Azerbaijan Republic, everything was artificial, 'not authentic,' starting with the name taken from one of the provinces of Persia. An artificial territory encompassing Lezgian Zakatala, the Armenian-Tatar provinces of Baku and Elisavetpol, and the Russian Mughan; united by Turkish policy as a base for Pan-Turkism in the Caucasus. An artificial statehood since these lands, which were on the paths of great migrations of peoples and subjected to the influence of various cultures of succeeding conquerors, had always been inhabited by small scattered tribes at odds with each other, and still preserving traits of nomadic life. Ultimately, even the Azerbaijani government was artificially maintained; first by the will of Nuri Pasha, then by General Thomson, and later simply by inertia." Recently, Azerbaijani TikTok channels published videos depicting the Haghartsin Monastery as a Caucasian one.

This and many other facts blatantly demonstrate the face of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policies being implemented at the state level,” Avanesyan wrote.