Photos circulating online in February 2025 reveal that the Azerbaijani side has vandalized the Tsitsernavank altar. The images show the destruction of the holy table and cross within the sanctuary. This is not the first instance of vandalism against Tsitsernavank; the temple itself was desecrated and damaged in 2023. This pattern is a disturbing trend, indicative of the deliberate destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh.
Since December 2020, when the Kashatagh region of Artsakh came under Azerbaijani control, the Tsitsernavank temple has been a target of Azerbaijani propaganda. The repeated desecration and damage to the temple should be condemned by the international community. It is not only the destruction of cultural artifacts but also an assault on humanity’s spiritual heritage.
European Parliament Resolution 2582 of 2022, concerning the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, obligates Azerbaijan to prevent any interference in areas of Armenian heritage. The desecration of Tsitsernavank is a clear violation of this resolution. Moreover, it contradicts the principles of cultural heritage preservation as outlined in the Burra Charter and by UNESCO. The international community has a responsibility to prevent the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The vandalism of the Tsitsernavank altar is not just an attack on Armenian culture; it is a challenge to humanity. It underscores the importance of protecting Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh and the need for concerted action by the international community.