Signed 10 November, the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement marked an end to the region’s conflict and hostilities that began earlier this year. Internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but governed by ethnic Armenians and backed by the Armenian government, Nagorno-Karabakh is a region in Central Asia characterised by intense ethnic clashes since the collapse of the Soviet Union. 

In this special episode of Narratives of Asia, we are joined by our very own Aysima Ahmadli, accompanied by Ulviyya and Maryam, who share with us stories of mutual support and peaceful coexistence between Azerbaijanis and Armenians despite the then tensions and hostilities between the two ethnic groups. Reflections from three distinct families offer memories of three respective generations. 

From scenes of deportation and ensuing generational trauma, to the previous loss and recent liberation of Susha, this episode helps to contextualise the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and extends the consciousness of the people engaged in one of the world’s oldest ongoing disputes to those of our own.