RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANCIENT ARMENIAN TOWN OF SHOUSHI IS AMONG SUCH URGENT ISSUES
ArmInfo
2009-10-26 15:41:00
ArmInfo. The Nagornyy Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan delivered a
speech at the meeting with Armenian entrepreneurs and philanthropists
of Russia.
"I am happy to have this opportunity today to meet you, welcome and
express my deepest respect to everybody. Our meetings in Moscow have
already become traditional, which is not accidental at all. Russia
has been ally and friend of the Armenian people for centuries and you
being its citizens serve as a unique bridge between your two homelands,
live and work with the idea of providing help to them.
People gathered in this hall have always assisted to prosperity and
well-being of Artsakh, they consider the problems of their remote
Motherland and the pain of their native people as their own. You have
preserved the sense of patriotism alive. This very sense performed
miracles in the battlefield and I am confident that it will encourage
us nowadays because the challenges we face in times of peace are
no less important and require quick and efficient response. The
restoration and development of the ancient Armenian town of Shoushi
that for centuries had been political, spiritual and cultural
center of Artsakh is among such urgent issues. We intend to restore
historical glory of past Shoushi, make the town modern, flourishing
and developed. And the fact that you are here is the best evidence
certifying that for each of you irrespective of residence place the
development of this homeland particle, its present and future is of
utmost importance and you are ready to contribute your mite to this
important process. The restoration of Artsakh’s old capital is of
crucial importance for the independent Armenian statehood.
Historically Shoushi played various roles in the not only for Artsakh
but also in the life of the entire Armenian people. In the XVIII-XIX
centuries it was one of the military, political, economic, cultural
and education centers of the Transcaucasus. At the beginning of
the 20th century there tens of factories, educational and cultural
centers functioning in the town, 22 newspapers were being published in
Armenian and Russian languages, Shoushi had close economic connection
with major cities in Russia, Europe and the Middle East. Shoushi
has also given a great constellation of scientists, art workers,
military and political figures. The most tragic period in the history
of the town was the beginning of the 20th century. In 1905 the first
massacre of Armenians was organized in the town, hundreds of innocent
people fell victims to it. In 1918-1920 Shoushi was the center of
the Artsakh liberation movement and the capital of self-governing
Nagorno Karabagh. In 1920 the town was destroyed and the Armenians were
expelled. During the Artsakh war Shoushi was turned to one of the main
Azerbaijani military bases spreading death to capital Stepanakert and
adjacent Armenian settlements. May 9, 1992 was a turning point both
for Artsakh and for the entire Armenians. Shoushi was liberated and
this heartened the world spread Armenians. It was our second great
victory after Sardarapat. It was both military and moral victory. The
liberation of Shoushi awaked in the sub-consciousness of our people
self-confidence in our own strength and gaining a unified victory, as
well as resoluteness in building free and independent statehood. This
great victory was Pan-Armenian in its nature. The entire Armenian
nation partook in the liberation of Shoushi, the world Armenians
provided material and moral assistance to Artsakh and prayed to God
asking for restoration of historical justice. The authorities of the
NKR consider the development of the town of Shoushi and the whole
region as an issue of great strategic importance. For this very
reason we are planning to move some state organs and structures to
Shoushi, including the judicial system, the ministry of culture and
youth affairs, some sub-divisions of the Defense Army, the union of
writers, Artsakh branch of the State Agricultural University of Armenia
and some other bodies. We are confident that these measures will
give a new impetus to the development of the town. Various funds and
organizations as well as individual philanthropists play a substantial
role in the development of Shoushi. Our people are very much grateful
to them. Dear friends, a great deal of work such as construction and
reconstruction of dwelling houses, educational centers, health care
units, cultural centers roads, water supply system and other objects
should be done in Shoushi. The development of Shoushi is a matter
of honor. The thriving of the town will demonstrate the world our
cohesion and united will in defending national values, developing
and strengthening sovereign and independent state, further cementing
the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. I am confident that together we
can effectively solve this very problem too and gain another common
victory", – Baku Sahakyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress