Why Does Azerbaijan Claim the David Gareja Monastery as Part of Its Cultural Heritage

The issue of border disputes and cultural claims is a complex and often contentious topic, particularly in the region spanning the Caucasus and the ex-Soviet states. One of the most significant current disputes involves the David Gareja Monastery, which is located in the disputed territory between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Despite being a historically and culturally significant site, Azerbaijan claims this Orthodox monastery as a part of its own heritage, a claim that has raised concerns and skepticism from experts and the international community.

The Historical Significance of David Gareja Monastery

Built in the 6th century, the David Gareja Monastery is one of the most important religious sites in the region. It is a complex consisting of over 5000 cells and 22 medieval cave churches. These structures not only hold great historical and archaeological value but also mark the important contributions of the Georgian Orthodox Church, specifically the figure of Saint David, one of the most revered saints in Georgia's religious history. The monastery has been recognized as one of the seven European monuments at risk of disintegration or deterioration, further emphasizing its importance.

The Contested Ownership and Historical Claims

The David Gareja Monastery is not just a point of contention between Azerbaijan and Georgia; it also has historical significance for another important region in the Caucasus, Caucasian Albania. Historically, the territories of Caucasian Albania formed part of the greater cultural and religious landscape of the region, which included Armenia and Georgia. However, Armenia and Georgia regard the monastery as a part of their shared cultural heritage, while Azerbaijan's claims to its heritage are highly questionable given their lack of historical evidence.

Historical Revisionism and Tactics of Cultural Appropriation

Azerbaijan's attempt to claim the David Gareja Monastery as part of its cultural heritage is part of a broader pattern of historical revisionism and cultural appropriation. This revisionism has been rampant in Azerbaijan for the past 80 years, during which time the nation has actively tried to erase its history by replacing terms and symbols with those from the ancient Caucasian Albanian culture. This is evident in the removal of Armenian references from Azerbaijani texts and the erasure of church inscriptions of Armenian origin from the monasteries.

The Reviled Claims and the Impact on Cultural Heritage

The actions of Azerbaijan to claim the David Gareja Monastery as part of its cultural heritage represent a form of cultural theft that has far-reaching consequences. By asserting that the Caucasian Albanians are their ancestors, Azerbaijan disregards the distinct identities and histories of Georgia and Armenia. This claim is based on scant historical evidence and has been challenged by academics and cultural experts. The most convincing argument against Azerbaijan's claim is the linguistic and cultural differences between the Caucasian Albanians and modern Azerbaijanis. While the Armenian, Georgian, and Caucasian Albanian alphabets share some similarities, the languages are quite different, making such claims highly dubious.

Georgia's Perspective and Condemnation

As someone of Armenian and Georgian parentage, the cultural thievery of Azerbaijan is both an annoyance and a source of concern. The David Gareja Monastery is undoubtedly a part of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Anyone who has visited the complex would find numerous ancient Georgian inscriptions, further cementing its significance to Georgian culture. The persistence of such claims by Azerbaijan highlights the need for international scrutiny and action to protect cultural heritage from such abuses.

The actions of Azerbaijan in claiming the David Gareja Monastery as a part of its cultural heritage reflect a disturbing pattern of historical revisionism, cultural appropriation, and displacement of the original cultural identities of the region. The erosion of the Armenian and Georgian heritage through the destruction of churches and the defacement of historical texts is alarming and threatens to undermine the rich and complex history of the Caucasus region.

Conclusion

The cultural and historical landscape of the Caucasus region is rich and diverse, with numerous ancient monasteries and churches that hold significant religious and cultural importance. The David Gareja Monastery is one such site that should be protected and preserved for the knowledge and appreciation of future generations. The efforts of Azerbaijan to claim this monument as part of its cultural heritage are unwarranted and should be rejected by the international community. This issue underscores the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and the need for a transparent and equitable approach to historical claims.