"KAREN DEMIRCHAIN WAS MORE THAN A BELOVED SON OF THE PEOPLE"
Noyan Tapan
Apr 16 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "Karen Demirchian was more than a
beloved son of the people, more than the first secretary of the party,
more than Karen the Builder, more than the speaker of the National
Assembly. He was more than himself. He was an apostle… " This is
how the poetess Silva Kaputikian described Karen Demirchian, first
secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia
(1974-1988), speaker of the RA National Assembly (June-October 1999),
the National Hero of Armenia, whose 75th anniversary is celebrated
on April 17.
Although jubilee events on this occasion will start on April 18,
on the decision of the state commission, events dedicated to the
75th anniversary of K. Demirchian will be held throughout the
year. Particularly, the opening ceremony of the Karen Demirchian
Museum will take place on April 20. It is envisaged to organize
photo exhibitions, issue jubilee stamps, make a documentary film
about K. Demirchian, as well as to hold open lessons in educational
institutions of the country. The second volume of the book of memories
"Drops from Big Sea" and the calendar "Karen Demirchian-75" have
already been published.
"Those 14 years, during whicg K. Demirchian was the leader of the
republic, can probably be considered as the best years of the history
of modern Armenia. …. It was a thinking statesman without any
dogmas. He contributed to the creation of a spiritual atmosphere in
Armenia, which gave birth and formed whole constellations of talents,"
Nikolai Ryzhkov, a great friend of the Armenian people, former head
of the USSR government, presently a deputy of the Russian State Duma,
wrote in his memoires.
During a talk with NT correspondent, Rima Demirchian, widow of K.
Demirchian, noted that in the course of his activities, he did
the utmost that can be done, and even more than could be expected
at that time. In her words, K. Demirchian had a rare human gift –
to understand and love others, and as compensation he enjoyed the
infinite love and respect of the Armenian people.
"K. Demirchian was considered an economic rather than a political
figure.
Yet this is a wrong opinion as in the Soviet time, delicate political
and diplomatic approaches were needed in order to raise and solve
economic problems," R. Demirchian said.
After the tragic events of October 27, 1999, the then president of
Georgia Eduard Shevarnadze wrote that there are persons who continue
to live in the memory of people, even though their life was ended
untimely in a cruel way, and K. Demirchian is one of such people.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
