TRIPLE HOLIDAY CELEBRATED IN THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2010-05-10 11:51
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

A triple holiday – Victory at the Great Patriotic War, creation of
the NKR Defense Army, and Shushi Liberation Day – was celebrated in
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

NKR first and second Presidents Robert Kocharian and Arkady
Ghukasian, Armenia’s delegation, with RA National Assembly Chairman
Hovik Abrahamian at the head, participated in the festivities. The
delegation comprised deputies, ministers, and other officials.

A ceremony of putting wreaths and flowers on the monuments to those
deceased at the Great Patriotic and Karabakh Wars took place. A saint
liturgy was served in the Ghazanchetsots Church in the town of Shushi.

On the occasion of the holiday, NKR President Bako Sahakian sent
a congratulation message, in which he, in particular, noted: "The
heroic example of our compatriots at the Great Patriotic War inspired
us and called for new victories. The NKR Defense Army was developed
and strengthened at the Artsakh liberation struggle, and one of the
glorious pages of the Armenian people’s history was written with
the blood of our motherland’s brave sons. The liberation of Shushi
revived the spirit and belief of Armenians in their own strength".

Within the festive events, a grand meeting took place at the Officers’
Palace in the NKR capital town of Stepanakert. During the meeting,
the NKR President handed corresponding awards to some participants
of the Great Patriotic War and Artsakh Liberation Struggle, as well
as servicemen of the NKR Defense Army and individuals who had made
their considerable contribution to the Republic’s development.

Festive columns of servicemen marched along the streets of
Stepanakert. The basic festivities took place in the Revival Central
Square and at the republican stadium, where a grand concert with the
participation of artists from Armenia took place.

The festivities were completed with fireworks.