Bulbul House-Museum

The Bulbul House-Museum is the birthplace and former home of Azerbaijani singer Bulbul. Until 1992, the museum in Shusha served as a branch of his memorial museum in Baku. The house consisted of two rooms and a balcony. It was here that Bulbul was born, spent his childhood, and first encountered music.

According to an inscription on the wall, the building was constructed in 1788. In 1982, under the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the house was officially converted into a museum. It was renovated in 1982–1983, the exhibition was arranged, and an administrative building was constructed in front.

The museum held nearly 9,000 documents reflecting Bulbul’s creative, scientific, pedagogical, and public activities. During the First Karabakh War in 1992, the museum was vandalized and ceased operations. It remained under Armenian occupation until 2020.

In August 2021, the museum was reopened with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. Within a year, it was visited by 40,000 people. In September 2021, journalist Fakhraddin Haji beyli was appointed as the museum director.

The museum displays include childhood photos, personal belongings, musical instruments, concert posters, documents related to his education in Azerbaijan and Italy, photographs, and rare archival materials. The exhibition highlights his contribution to the development of the national vocal school and promotion of folk music.

After Shusha was liberated, not a single original item remained — all had been destroyed. The current exhibits were transferred from Bulbul’s house-museum in Baku.

During restoration, the building was structurally reinforced, a new bust was erected, a summer concert venue was built, and the displays were modernized. The first event held was Bulbul’s 125th anniversary and the final stage of the 8th International Vocal Competition named after him.