About Some Christian Nations of Azerbaijan (original) (raw)

2020, Видавничий дім «Гельветика»

Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of various civilizations throughout many centuries has become famous as a country where was formed the atmosphere of national cultural diversity, where representatives of various nationalities and faiths live in the atmosphere of peace and welfare, mutual understanding and dialogue. The multiculturalism and tolerance historically inherent in the life of Azerbaijanis today became an integral feature of everyday life of each citizen of the Azerbaijani state, irrespective of national identity, language and religion. As a result, there created a certain community in the cultural development of the national minorities of Azerbaijan, which showed itself in some similarity in the structure of life, customs and traditions. Throughout history there were established harmonious, peaceful, inter-ethnic relations among the peoples living in Azerbaijan, and there was no ground for the ethnic conflicts and tension. Features of historical development of Azerbaijan, its geographical position, ethnic structure of the population have created necessary conditions for existence of different religions in this territory. At various times in the country, in a varying degree there extended heathenism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and many other religious trends side by side, having mutual impact on one another. The 19th century is distinguished with its important historical events in the political life of Azerbaijan. At that time there were existed war in Europe and people who suffered from wars began to migrate to the East and Russia as well. The article is devoted to the problem of settlement of Christian groups in Azerbaijan: Russians and Germans. Extensive information is provided about the places of settlement, occupation, cultural development, as well as issues of modern community development. Thus, new nations had begun to seen on the ethnic map of the South Caucasus and Azerbaijan. Key words: cultural diversity, Russians, Germans, multinationality, national minorities.