As part of the Vagif Poetry Days, a new open-air library, dubbed the "Book Stop," has been inaugurated in the center of Shusha. The project was realized through a partnership between the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Shusha City State Reserve Department, Azercell Telecom LLC, and Aztelekom LLC.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Culture to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the initiative aims to promote the historical and literary environment of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, while expanding reading opportunities for both residents and visitors.
The opening ceremony was attended by Orxan Fikratoglu, advisor to the Minister of Culture; Tural Novruzov, executive director of the Shusha City State Reserve Department; and Sona Abbasova, director of the Corporate Communications Department at Azercell.
Officials noted that the "Book Stop" is designed as a 24-hour open-air library, allowing visitors and residents of Shusha free access to the collection of books available at the site. This initiative reflects broader efforts to revitalize the cultural life of the liberated territories.
The inaugural guest of the "Book Stop" was Vahid Aziz, a prominent representative of modern Azerbaijani poetry and a People's Poet. The event, moderated by poet and essayist Farid Huseyn, chairman of the Youth Council of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, featured a discussion on the poet's literary career. During the session, Vahid Aziz recited his poems and engaged with attendees by answering their questions.
Shusha, often referred to as the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, has been the focus of extensive restoration and cultural revitalization projects since its liberation in 2020. The Vagif Poetry Days, held annually in the city, serve as a significant platform for celebrating Azerbaijani literature and the legacy of the 18th-century poet Molla Panah Vagif.
