Shusha — the pearl of the Caucasus, the cradle of our culture, the mugham-singing heart of Azerbaijan.

November 8 is a great day in the history of Azerbaijan. It is an eminently glorious and sacred day. After the official announcement by the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev of the liberation of Shusha from occupation, a festive atmosphere reigned in every part of the country. Not only the people of Shusha, but the whole Azerbaijan is looking forward to going back to this sacred hearth. Head of State Ilham Aliyev, who announced the liberation of Shusha with the words "I am happy to have fulfilled my father's will. Shusha is liberated from occupation", went to Shusha with his father, National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev in 1982, and today he will set foot there as the President, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces who liberated Shusha from occupation. Thus, he will go down in history as a leader who set foot on the sacred land of Karabakh. This ancient and most important city of the Karabakh Khanate, playing the role of a major cultural and political center in the 18-19th centuries and being the birthplace of brilliant poets, great singers and composers, was seriously destroyed in 1992 during the war with Armenian savages. Armenians destroyed the cultural heritage monuments of Azerbaijan located here. They destroyed and desecrated mosques throughout the territory of Karabakh. Azerbaijanis comprised the most of Shusha population, and a very small number of Armenians were resettled here later. According to the population inventory of Shusha in 1989, 19,036 out of 20,579 inhabitants were Azerbaijanis, and only 1,377 were Armenians. Azerbaijanis, being the local residents of this ancient city, were expelled from their native lands as a result of the Armenian occupation. After longstanding tragic events, sadness and anguish, historical justice is being restored, and the Azerbaijani people experience an ineffable sense of joy and pride. These feelings were granted to us by the Supreme Commander-In-Chief, our brave soldiers and officers who gave their lives liberating every inch of the occupied native lands. The President who said "Nagorno-Karabakh is our land, our internationally recognized territory. This is a matter of justice, a matter of national pride" addressing the people on November 8, 2020, today makes the Azerbaijanis known as the proud people. To this day, the Head of State pursues a resolute policy and protects the country's interests everywhere. National unity, people's trust and support helped the President to withstand diplomatic pressure, cope successfully and adequately with difficulties. Because our President is a worthy successor of the policy of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, who saved our people, being on the verge of destruction. Each new day proves the brilliance and far-sightedness of the National Leader, who said "I believe him as myself and have high hopes for his future". President Ilham Aliyev justifies the trust and hopes of all Azerbaijani people. The liberation of Shusha, being completely different from other regions in its historical, cultural and strategic significance, is a major driver in ending the 30-year occupation and peacemaking in the region for the near future. One can say, this is a crucial moment. In the modern world, the Azerbaijani people, led by the President, have once again proved to be decent, brave and invincible. Today, Azerbaijan is writing a new history and defines the new realities. Our heroes, defending their Homeland and liberating their ancestors' land from occupation, inscribe their names in the history of Azerbaijan with golden letters. The glorious tricolor flag of Azerbaijan is now waving in Shusha. All our words are accompanied by tears of happiness. For many years, our poets have written poems about the marvelous Karabakh, and its cradle of music and poetry — Shusha. Today, every average citizen writes poems and chants in honor of Shusha. Because Shusha, being the pearl not only of Azerbaijan, but also of the entire Caucasus, is the cradle of our culture, the mugham-singing heart of our country. Shusha is ours! Victory is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!