19:18     23 April 2021    

Since ancient times, representatives of dozens of peoples have lived side by side in Azerbaijan. The high ethnic tolerance of the Azerbaijani people contributed to their successful integration and adaptation. Mountain Jews are one of them.

Since ancient times, representatives of dozens of peoples have lived side by side in Azerbaijan. The high ethnic tolerance of the Azerbaijani people contributed to their successful integration and adaptation. Mountain Jews are one of them. In the past, they lived in the mountains, hence their name is Mountain Jews, but already in XVIII-XIX centuries they began to move from the mountains to the plain. The village of Krasnaya Sloboda is the only place of compact residence of Mountain Jews in the entire post-Soviet space. Krasnaya Sloboda not only survived, but also acquired the significance of a monument of national importance with a rich history and heritage, which is visited by numerous tourists from all over the world. Recently, the film crew of Baku Tribune visited the Krasnaya Sloboda village of the Guba region of Azerbaijan. Synagogues and the Museum of Mountain Jews, which was recently opened, function here. The initiative to create the museum belongs to Russian businessmen and philanthropists from Krasnaya Sloboda: businessmen and philanthropists God Nisanov, Zarakh Iliev and German Zakharyaev. The Museum is operating in the building of the Karchog synagogue, which was closed during the Soviet years. The unique building was restored to its original appearance. The Charitable Foundation of Mountain Jews STMEGI created the general concept of the Museum. The collection of exhibits was also carried out by STMEGI. Below you can see the video-reportage about the ancient history of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan.