On a crisp London November evening, AGBU London hosted the event, “Erasing History: Cultural Destruction in the Caucasus” at the The Institut Français in London. It featured a presentation of the book “Monuments and Identities in the Caucasus” edited by Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev and Haroutioun Khatchadourian, and a panel discussion on the destruction of monuments and cultural erasure in the Caucasus and beyond, moderated by Robert Bevan with experts Emma Cunliffe, Yorgos Dedes, Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev, Haroutioun Khatchadourian, and Anne Elizabeth Redgate.
The evening started with a short film ‘The New Tears of Araxes’ by Sarah Pickman which reports on the destruction of thousands of ancient Armenian headstones in the city of Julfa. The footage interjected with statements such as—February 19th 2006, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the destruction.
As the film drew to a close, Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev and Haroutioun Khatchadourian, each held a presentation on the book “Monuments and Identities in the Caucasus”, it examines the ancient and medieval Armenian monuments in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Nakhichevan, and the geopolitical forces behind their destruction.
The book is a collaboration of scholars—historians, archeologists, anthropologists, law experts, all contributing articles. Divided in three parts, the book's first part delves into the historical geography and architecture of the lands, the second part investigates the rise of Azerbaijani nationalism, and part three documents the destruction of monuments, and looks at the protection of cultural heritage.
The authors spoke about safeguarding what remains of the cultural landscape, the risks on Armenian heritage, highlighting that monitoring was much needed to reduce those cultural risks, and on institutional involvement, such as UNESCO.
A reference to historical revisionism was made, as Haroutioun Khatchadourian’s presentation heading outlined, it’s about ‘Cultural Heritage as a Political Tool’.
Following the book presentation, the panel of experts gathered, each offering their viewpoints on the questions moderator Robert Bevan posed, such as—How does the distortion of the past affect the future?.
Anne Elizabeth Redgate noted that governments propagate the sense of a shared history, historians later unpick the falsifications, suggesting that historical distortions perhaps won’t be permanent.
Yorgos Dedes spoke of hope for the future; Greek Orthodox communities in Turkey and Muslim communities in Greece.
When Robert Bevan inquired to the panel why it’s so hard to enforce International Law and Conventions, Emma Cunliffe raised a pertinent point that conventions can only be put in practice if the country that is in question absorbs them, and that cultural protection in many locations around the world, often takes place, but is not that exciting for the media to report on.
To improve the protection of cultural heritage, Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev suggested education and reaching out, Yorgos Dedese mentioned strengthening democratic institutions, democracy, and a multi linguistic world. Emma Cunliffe mentioned that organisations working on culture emergencies such as Blue Shield need to receive more funding.
There were further points raised throughout the discussion and on the questions posed. As the panel’s talk was ending, the digital realm was brought forth by a representative of the Armenian Community Council in the UK,—the altering or lack of information about Armenia on public digital platforms, as well as the social media wars.
The tool of technology may also highlight—during the talk, Haroutioun Khatchadourian referenced Cornell University’s platform on cultural monitoring.
The author also corroborated that cultural destruction equally can happen in peace times, in other words not just during times of war, since cultural destruction corresponds to identity erasure.
The event was highly interesting and informative, discussing the notions of memory, documentation, identity, cultural heritage, cultural erasure and destruction, speaking about the displacement of the Armenian people from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), analysing the Caucasus region, including the regions of Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Greece; the role of international organizations in preserving cultural heritage; and shaping historical narratives.
Culture is a part of humanity’s identity, sadly distorting history and culture has happened throughout history and continues to in the present day in many parts of the world. To counter intolerance—people coming together, listening to each other, spotlighting issues, causes, the importance of diversity and culture are paramount.
The AGBU London chapter Team shared discussion, culture and academia through an engaging event, bringing together a panel of experts on heritage.
On Armenia's cultural heritage, Anne Elizabeth Redgate remarked that it is both distinctive and international in its artistic language.
AGBU are active globally with Armenian communities in education, culture, humanitarian relief, and socioeconomic development.
This event was organised by AGBU London and took place on November 20th at The Institut Français, in London South Kensington.
We reported the event as we understood it, should there be any misquotations, we take no responsibility but will amend any information should it be justified.