The author of the monument to Aivazovsky commented on its demolition in Stepanakert

Demolition of the monument to the marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky in Stepanakert is an act of vandalism, said the author of the monument, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Salavat Shcherbakov.

"Aivazovsky is a brilliant Russian and Armenian artist. Of course, the demolition of the monument is vandalism, a blind and hopeless political mistake," the Paragraph quotes the sculptor.

Probably, Shcherbakov suggests, it was possible I would like to pick up the demolished monument, "but negotiations between the parties are needed."

As EADaily reported, the demolition of the monument to Aivazovsky by the Azerbaijani authorities was announced yesterday by the Agency for the Development of Tourism and Culture of Karabakh. As the agency emphasizes, the demolition took place on July 30, the birthday of the famous artist.

"The monument to Aivazovsky, erected in 2021, was demolished by the occupation authorities of Azerbaijan. This happened after the entire Armenian population of Karabakh was forced to leave their homeland as a result of forced eviction in 2023," the agency said.

They believe that the demolition of the monument to Aivazovsky is "another evidence of the policy of destroying the Armenian cultural presence in Karabakh." It is noted that "the work was dedicated not only to the world-famous marine painter, but also to the historical and cultural ties of Karabakh with the Armenian and world heritage."