PLANTING A TREE… ON FIRST-EVER VISIT TO ARTSAKH
NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 8, 2010
STEPANAKERT
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. It may surprise some to learn that
I had not been to Artsakh (Karabagh) until last week.
Of course, I always wanted to go to Artsakh, but not as a mere
tourist. I wanted to visit Artsakh on a special occasion which finally
came on March 31. As Senior Vice President of The Lincy Foundation,
I participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a newly built school
in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. Funded mostly by The Lincy
Foundation and partially by the Government of Artsakh, the project
was successfully implemented by Save the Children.
The Grand Opening of the school was attended by government officials
led by President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, and other dignitaries. The
new school will accommodate 350 students. It was a great day of
celebration for the people of Stepanakert, as parents and students
expressed their joy and gratitude for this state-of-the-art facility.
Beyond the high quality of construction, what impressed me most was
Artsakh’s self-sufficiency! All supplies and materials, including
school desks and cabinets, were produced in Artsakh, providing
employment and income to the local population. Nothing imported
from Turkey!
During my brief stay in Artsakh, I had the opportunity to see some
of the ancient cathedrals and majestic mountains of the region,
which visitors often compare with the beauty of Switzerland. I met
the leaders of the fledgling republic who are doing their utmost to
provide prosperity for their 150,000 citizens as well as protection
from periodic Azeri attacks.
The people of Artsakh are comforted, knowing that they are not alone.
Millions of Armenians around the world support their struggle for
survival against all odds in this secluded ancient land.
I had no difficulty relating to the local people, as my grandparents
hail from Zeytoun, in Cilicia, a mountainous region, not unlike
Artsakh, with a warrior population that successfully fought for five
centuries against constant attacks by the powerful Ottoman Army.
Zeytoun was known as the "Eagles’ Nest," an apt name for Artsakh.
It was clear from my conversations with leaders and people of Artsakh
that they would never accept to live under Azerbaijan’s yoke again!
The young generation was born and raised in Free Artsakh. It is out of
question for them to be under Azeri occupation. The older generation,
which spilled blood to gain Artsakh’s precious freedom, will never
again accept any form of foreign domination.
While the heroic Artsakh people have paid the ultimate price for their
independence — sacrificing their lives — they only ask the rest of
us to contribute funds, time and energy to support their just cause!
It was a great honor for me to be asked by Prof. Gourgen Melikian,
Dean of Faculty of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University and
a devoted Artsakh volunteer, to plant a walnut tree near the village
of Berzor, in the Lachin Corridor, linking Armenia with Artsakh.
Prof. Melikian had made all the arrangements for the planting
ceremony. He had the walnut tree seedling, a shovel, a watering
pot, and an appropriate recitation for the occasion. I noticed that
there were many other young trees nearby, indicating Prof. Melikian’s
determination not to let any visitor pass through the Lachin Corridor,
without planting a tree.
The most touching moment of the ceremony arrived when Prof. Melikian,
holding a glass of red wine in his hand, recited a moving Armenian
poem about tree planting written by Leon Zaven Surmelian in 1924. Here
is my rough translation of that beautiful poem:
Bless this tender tree, O Lord; I plant it here In crumbling black
soil, where my forebears lie As their mighty progeny, master of this
land anew, I grow under the sun, with their name on my lips.
This grand tree shall extend its arms and soul, Embracing my forebears’
immortal fiery breath; O Lord, let this lonesome, graceful tree be
a prayer, And a cuddling object for young lovers.
The olden history of these memorable lands Brings tears to my eyes.
Glory and death aplenty In my ancient land, whose fierce progeny I am,
With bountiful thoughts, and soothing dreams.
This tree I planted, as a cross for my departed ones.
While listening to this inspiring poem, I made a vow to return often
to this cherished land, to water my tree and defend the ground upon
which it stands. May this walnut tree grow mighty with deep roots,
and bear fruit for generations to come!