Armenian National Committee of Australia
259 Penshurst Street, Willoughby NSW 2068
PO Box 768, Willoughby NSW 2068
Tel: (02) 9419 8264
Fax: (02) 9411 8898
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
Nagorno Karabakh headlines Exhibition Armenia in NSW Parliament House
SYDNEY: Nagorno Karabakh was the focus of the Armenian National Committee of
Australia’s (ANC Australia) EXHIBITION ARMENIA poster display held at NSW
State Parliament House on Tuesday.
On the 18th anniversary of the Liberation of Shoushi – a key victory for the
long-persecuted Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh on the way to the region’s
declaration of independence – over 20 NSW State legislators and
representatives of Armenian community organisations attended the exhibit in
the Jubilee Room.
The 32 posters on show guided at tendees through Armenia’s rich history and
culture, its Christian heritage, its bloody battles, its achievements,
Armenia today and Armenia tomorrow. The Armenian Genocide and the Armenian
Relief Fund of Australia were given key focus, while Nagorno Karabakh was
discussed for the first time in NSW State Parliament House.
ANC Australia Political Relations Officer Vache Kahramanian said: "Nagorno
Karabakh is recognised by Armenians as the heart and soul of the Armenian
nation. Its history and current status is something we wish to share with
our friends in NSW Parliament and the NSW Legislative Council."
Nagorno Karabakh belonged to Armenians since before Christ, but was handed
to Azerbaijan by Joseph Stalin despite protests from the region’s
inhabitants. Armenians made up 95% of the total population.
>From 1921 to 1988, for 67 years, the Christian Armenians held off countless
attacks by Azeris, many incidents of uncalle d-for persecution at the hands
of Azeris, and attempts at ethnic cleansing through massacres. Despite this,
Armenians remained the main inhabitants of the region.
In 1988, the Armenian civilians of Nagorno Karabakh rose. Men, women and
children fought against constant persecution, for self-determination, and
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh was born in 1992.
A key event along the way to this independence was on 9th of May 1992. The
Armenian forces of Nagorno Karabakh rose against the odds to liberate a
region called Shoushi. Shoushi was one of the highest points in Nagorno
Karabakh, and the victory was a turning point in the Karabakh Movement.
While historically-Armenian regions such as Shahumian remain in Azeri
control and constant threats of war are expressed by Azerbaijan’s
government, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh remain resilient and proud
defenders the Republic.
Kahramanian added: "ANC Australia is delighted to be able to bring Nagorno
Karabakh’s battle for self-determination to the attention of our
legislators."