Jeffrey Werbock in the historic city of Shusha Guivami Rahimli, a Garabagh War veteran and professor at Baku State University, has shared with AZERTAC memories of his longstanding friendship with American mugham performer Jeffrey Werbock, highlighting their efforts to promote Azerbaijani mugham and the cultural heritage of Shusha in an article dedicated to Victory Day.On November 8, as Azerbaijan celebrates Victory Day, we commemorate not only the courage and sacrifice of those who secured our territorial integrity, but also the return of a city that represents the soul of our cultural heritage.The liberation of Shusha on this day, was not merely a military victory; it was the restoration of a historic city that embodies the cultural memory, spiritual heritage and national identity of the Azerbaijani people.Founded by Panahali Khan, Shusha became one of the most distinguished cultural centres in Azerbaijan’s history. It nurtured generations of poets, composers and musicians and holds a special place in the history of mugham. Its contribution to Azerbaijani literature, music, architecture and artistic traditions is immeasurable. Shusha's musical heritage transcended geographical boundaries. Its performers and musical traditions contributed to the international recognition of Azerbaijani mugham, which was subsequently inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.A particularly touching recollection shared by my American friend Jeffrey Werbock, a passionate admirer and promoter of Azerbaijani mugham, brings another perspective to the significance of Shusha in our national history. President Heydar Aliyev and Jeffrey Werbock Jeffrey recalls his meeting with Azerbaijan's National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, during which the latter asked what he could do for him. Their conversation initially took a light-hearted turn, with the possibility of Jeffrey becoming an Azerbaijani citizen mentioned jokingly. However, when asked about his genuine wish, Jeffrey expressed his desire to help establish a mugham theatre in Shusha once the city was liberated. What particularly impressed Jeffrey was Heydar Aliyev's immediate reaction. The Azerbaijani leader appeared surprised that an American living thousands of kilometres away not only knew about Shusha, but also understood its exceptional importance to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, particularly its mugham traditions.According to Jeffrey, Heydar Aliyev repeated the name of Shusha, apparently to make sure he had heard it correctly. Sensing the Azerbaijani leader's surprise, Jeffrey repeated the name, emphasising that Shusha was not just another Azerbaijani city, but a place of exceptional significance to the nation's cultural heritage and identity.Looking back at that encounter, Jeffrey believes that Heydar Aliyev immediately recognised the deeper meaning of his words. For a statesman with an exceptional understanding of politics, history and national identity, the interest of a foreign admirer in Shusha's cultural heritage must have carried a special significance.Heydar Aliyev throughout his political career, consistently emphasised the preservation of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, the promotion of national traditions and the protection of historical memory.Years later, on November 8, 2020, when the liberation of Shusha was announced, Jeffrey sent me a series of emotional messages. His words were spontaneous and deeply moving: "I can't stop the tears flowing.""Never thought I would live to read this news today." A minute later, a message came that brought his earlier conversation with Heydar Aliyev back to mind: "I want to come to Şuşa to help rebuild." My response was simple: "I remember that at the meeting with Heydar Aliyev you said that your wish is to open a mugham centre in Shusha. So, now your turn arrived." What followed demonstrated that these were not merely words spoken in an emotional moment during the historic announcement.Jeffrey Werbock’s journey - from his conversation with Heydar Aliyev, to his heartfelt messages on November 8, 2020, and later visits to the liberated territories and participation at the Khari Bulbul Festival in Shusha - illustrates how culture can build lasting connections between people and nations. His engagement with Azerbaijan's cultural heritage continued to develop, culminating in the production of the documentary film Shusha, My Love, dedicated to Azerbaijani mugham and the cultural heritage of Garabagh. The film was screened in both Baku and Shusha. At its presentation, I noted that it represented not only a tribute to Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage but also the fulfilment of a promise made to Heydar Aliyev years earlier: to promote Azerbaijani mugham and the cultural heritage of Garabagh to international audiences.President Ilham Aliyev's announcement of Shusha's liberation on November 8, 2020, carried an emotional significance extending far beyond the battlefield. It represented the restoration of historical justice and the return of a city that had remained deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of the Azerbaijani people as the country's cultural capital. Jeffrey Werbock’s remarkable story reminds us that the significance of Victory Day extends far beyond military triumph and the borders of Azerbaijan. It symbolises not only the restoration of historical justice and national dignity but also the revival of a priceless cultural heritage that transcends borders, connects nations and inspires people around the world.