BAKO SAHAKYAN: PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES ARE EXPRESSION OF OUR NATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND UNITY

Noyan Tapan

02.08.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 02.08.2011) On 2 August President of the Artsakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan partook in the solemn ceremony of lighting the
torch of the 5th Pan-Armenian games at the Gandzasar’s Cathedral of
St John the Baptist and delivered a welcoming address.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev Martirosyan, speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan,
chairman of the Pan-Armenian Games’ international committee Ishkhan
Zakharyan, numerous guests from Armenia and Diaspora were present at
the ceremony.

Address of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan during the solemn
ceremony of lighting the torch of the 5th Pan-Armenian games

Respected attendees, Dear athletes,

I am glad to welcome all of you in the ancient Artsakh soil.

Today we are partaking in a very important and symbolic event. In a
few minutes at the Gandzasar’s Cathedral of St John the Baptist the
torch of the 5th Pan-Armenian games will be lit. It is not casual.

During the last 20 years Artsakh has become the symbol of consolidation
of the world-spread Armenians.

Such events also depict the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora solid and
inflexible trinity. We highlight the role of the Pan-Armenian games
from the very viewpoint of continuous strengthening of this trinity.

These games are not only a pure sense competitions, but also another
expression of our national solidarity and unity. The victorious
spirit must always be strong in every Armenian and accompany us on
our unbroken way.

Together with teams from different cities of the world about 100
athletes from Artsakh will partake in these games. They worked hard
and are ready to participate worthily and struggle for the prize
places. In Artsakh we will follow with great attention the course of
the games and the participation of our athletes.

I wish success and all the best to all the participants of the 5th
Pan-Armenian games. Let these games give new strength and vigor to
you and become the beginning of greater victories.

Gandzasar, August 2, 2011.

CENTRAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC
PRESIDENT

From: A. Papazian