FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 25, 2009
Restoring a Church, Preserving a Culture
Tufenkian Foundation Unveils New Kashatagh Initiative
HAK VILLAGE, KASHATAGH, NAGORNO-KARABAGH – Last week presented a day of
celebration as residents of this small, remote village joined
political dignitaries and members of the international community to
mark the re-opening of Hak’s historic St. Minas Church. The church
blessing combined with the unveiling of a new drinking water supply
for the village, making the ceremony a momentous occasion reaffirming
Armenians’ commitment to restore and protect their ancient heritage in
this war-torn enclave.
The afternoon began with the blessing of the church by Archbishop
Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. His Eminence emphasized the importance of reopening
St. Minas and other churches like it, calling them `a symbol of the
continuation of the Armenian Christian faith on these lands.’
Hak village sits in a remote corner of Kashatagh (formerly Lachin),
the strategically vital area connecting Nagorno-Karabagh with Armenia.
With a continuous Armenian presence dating back to the 12th century,
Hak was ethnically cleansed of Armenians by Azeri forces in 1918, only
to be reclaimed in 1992 during Armenians’ victorious struggle for
self-determination. Since then, Azerbaijan has repeatedly claimed the
Kashatagh region for itself; however, the presence of Armenian
churches, cemeteries, and other monuments – some dating as far as back
as the 4th century – refute these claims and reaffirm the case for
Armenian sovereignty over these lands.
The Hak village project is the latest initiative of the New York-based
Tufenkian Foundation. Through a range of social and economic projects,
the foundation has fostered the development and resettlement of
Kashatagh since the war. In parallel, the Foundation is working to
restore and preserve the Armenian monuments found throughout this
land. Ms. Virginia Davies of New York City tendered the generous
support that allowed the Foundation to restore St. Minas Church and
establish Hak’s water supply. Having flown in especially for the
ceremony, Ms. Davies spoke boldly and proudly about the project, which
she has dedicated in loving memory of her grandmother, a survivor of
the 1915 Armenian Genocide. `This is only the beginning,’ she said.
`After Hak, we will start projects in the next two villages – Mirig
and Hochants.’ Those projects, like the work in Hak, will consist of
restoring ancient churches that had been desecrated by Azerbaijan,
alongside development and infrastructure projects for the current
resettlers there. `After these two villages, there will be another
two, and it will go on for the entire area.’
Also addressing the gathering was Tufenkian Foundation Country
Director Mary Matosian. `Today, we constantly hear of protocols,
speeches, and statements on the status of Karabagh,’ she said,
referring to Turkey’s recent demands that Karabagh be ceded to
Azerbaijan. `It is vital that we bring to world attention that these
are not so-called `occupied territories,’ but liberated Armenian
lands. Today we stand shoulder-to-shoulder – Karabagh government,
Diaspora Armenians, and Hak villagers – in support of rebuilding
Kashatagh and bringing forth its Armenian heritage, which was unjustly
taken away by Azerbaijan and must now be restored.’
Numerous dignitaries attended the ceremony, including NKR President
Bako Sahakyan, NKR National Assembly Chairman Ashot Ghulyan, Armenia’s
former Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian, representatives of numerous
political parties and NGOs, and other former ministers including Davit
Lokyan and Levon Lazarian.
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Contact: John Antranig Kasbarian, Executive Director
[email protected]; 201.221.1055, x327