Cultural life of Karabakh at the beginning of the 20th century

This article examines the cultural life of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the early 20th century. The study demonstrates that this period corresponded to a phase of noticeable dynamism in Karabakh’s cultural development. A generation of prominent Azerbaijani figures emerged in fields such as education, crafts, trade, science, and literature, contributing to the intellectual and cultural transformation of the region. Alongside the traditional educational framework, the network of secular education expanded, and uyezd schools were gradually supplemented by rural, urban, and Russian-Tatar schools. Wealthy individuals residing in Karabakh, particularly in its administrative and cultural center, Shusha, played a significant role in supporting the establishment of these institutions. At the beginning of the 20th century, the cultural life of the Karabakh region displayed a multidimensional character, with literary activity, art, and architecture occupying a central place within this broader development.