🔻The destruction of part of the “Russians’ Caravanserai” in Sabzevar has faced many reactions on social media and among cultural and artistic activists.

Following this incident, an art group from Sabzevar named “Moghōm” went to the site of the ruins of this historic structure and played music in mourning for it.

The group published a video on its Instagram page, and in explaining this performance wrote: “A eulogy for Sabzevar… for the late Russians’ caravanserai; for a history that from today is no more and can only be told as a story.”

They also wrote: “Tonight I played an instrument on the ruins; perhaps the sound of the instrument will not bring anything back… but at least it says: we saw, we didn’t stay silent, and we won’t forget.”

According to Mojtaba Kāviyān, head of Sabzevar’s cultural heritage office, this structure had been identified on official notification maps as a valuable work, and efforts had also been made to register it as a national monument; however, the municipality had issued a “demolition warning letter.”

Mr. Kāviyān said that the “Russians’ Caravanserai” was a gendarmerie during the reign of Reza Shah.

He said that this “municipal violation” would be pursued through legal proceedings.