Ilham Aliyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Visit Bulbul House-Museum in Shusha

Shusha, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the House-Museum of Bulbul in the historic city of Shusha on Wednesday, as part of their official program.

During the visit, Member of the Milli Majlis and People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Polad Bulbuloghlu, provided an overview of the museum’s historical and cultural significance. He explained that the renowned Azerbaijani opera singer Bulbul was born and spent his formative years in this house. In recognition of Bulbul’s contributions to Azerbaijani music and culture, National Leader Heydar Aliyev initiated efforts to preserve his legacy. As a result, the Executive Committee of the Shusha City People’s Deputies Soviet passed a decision in 1982 to establish the musician’s birthplace as a house-museum.

The house underwent significant renovation between 1982 and 1983, during which a museum exhibition was curated and an administrative building was constructed. However, operations ceased in 1992 during the First Karabakh War due to the occupation of Shusha and widespread Armenian vandalism.

Following the city’s liberation, extensive restoration work was launched on the house-museum and other cultural heritage sites in Shusha. The Bulbul House-Museum was officially reopened in August 2021, symbolizing the revival of Azerbaijan’s rich cultural identity in the liberated territories.

As part of the restoration, a new bust of Bulbul was installed in the courtyard of the museum. The original bust, damaged during the occupation, has been preserved and displayed as historical evidence of the destruction inflicted during the conflict.

The visit by the Azerbaijani and Turkmen leaders underscores the importance of cultural preservation and the shared historical values between the two nations.