The situation around the park where Khurshidbanu Natavan's monument is located in the city of Evian, France, shows that Azerbaijanophobia, which is shaking French society, has already reached an absurd level, the Western Azerbaijan Community said in a statement, Ednews reports.
"The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns this act of vandalism, destruction of cultural heritage, and Islamophobic act and calls on UNESCO to respond to the issue immediately.
During the Armenian occupation, Natavan's grave was destroyed. Today, the threat of demolition of Natavan's monument in France shows what "common values" the Armenian and French societies have. Racist French politicians, MPs, mayors, and journalists who accused Azerbaijan of allegedly "destroying Armenian heritage" in Garabagh should feel ashamed.
However, regardless of what France, which cannot get rid of racism, does, today Natavan's spirit is content. Shusha, Khankandi, and Aghdam, where she was laid to rest, all of Garabagh are liberated," reads the statement.
Khurshidbanu Natavan is one of the prominent representatives of 19th century Azerbaijani literature, (1832-1897), the last heir to the Karabakh Khanate, who made a significant contribution to the public life and cultural development of Azerbaijan. In 19th century of Europe, female writers were forced to use male pseudonyms to publish their work, while Natavan chaired a literary council in a country in the Islamic East. Although women were given a high status in the family hierarchy in Azerbaijan, Natavan's personality was a phenomenon for Azerbaijan as a woman.