pot manufactured in Lahij. The Museum of Bern has a collection of firearms and weapons of cold steel, manufactured in Azerbaijan, which includes rifles, swords and sabres, richly decorated with ornamental patterns and inlaid work. The major part of the cultural heritage of the Lahij represents interpretations of Islam, as well as folk rites, traditions, ceremonies, celebrations and festivals related to their pre-Islamic faith, Zoroastrianism. Included within this heritage are the intercultural and inter-religious communications that were understood by the peoples of Lahij. More than 1000 exhibits are preserved in Lahij Museum of Local History including pottery samples dating 2000 years back, bellows made in the 18th century to use in copper smelting, and other pieces associated with animal husbandry and trade, as well as information about the underground water line installed in the 15th century. The Museum is located within a building called Aghaogly mosque which was built in 1914 and transformed into museum in 1987. Tourism The development of international tourism, together with more knowledge about the people and cultures, has resulted in a gradual interest in the cultural diversity of the Region. Lahij, in recent years, has attracted the attention of many tourists visiting from countries worldwide and as a result Lahij is now included in the travel tours of several leading tourism agencies. Research Lahij, due to its unique and original features, has, throughout its history, been a centre of gravity for writers, scholars, artists and filmmakers, and, today, the residents make considerable efforts to promote the Region's cultural heritage. Manaf Suleymanov, the Azerbaijani writer and journalist, who was originally from Lahij, published a book, in 1994, entitled “Lahij: Ethnographic and artistic insight”. The natural and manmade beauties of the Region are reflected in the paintings by the talented Lahij artist – Agha Mehdiyev. The interest of scholars in the heritage of Lahij has been always at the highest level, and both Azerbaijan and foreign experts have written research papers about this unique village. Films about Lahij and its residents have been, and presently are, shown at international contests and film festivals. The film called Emanet ("Heritage") directed in 2006, by filmmaker Shamil Najafzade, is dedicated to the unique culture of Lahij and to the current problems faced by its people. Lahij Pace (2008) directed by Fariz Ahmadov, was included in the competition at the Irpen Film Festival, which was held in Ukraine, and also at