On the occasion of the Independence Day of Artsakh, the Permanent Representation of Artsakh in Yerevan opened its doors to everyone today.
Svetlana Grigoryan, the mother of the deceased officer, was forcibly displaced from NK. She came to the Representation just to contemplate a little, collect her thoughts.
“We saved Artsakh with the whole family, five people in my family served our motherland, our Artsakh. Today, we do not have a homeland. Yes, Armenia is also our homeland, but you are always drawn to your home. I want my own house,” she says.
33 years ago, on September 2, Artsakh declared its independence from the Soviet Union, according with all relevant Soviet laws and procedures. On September 2, 1991, a joint session of the Regional and Shahumyan Regional Council of Deputies took place in Stepanakert, where the “Announcement on the Declaration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic” was adopted. On December 10 of the same year, a referendum was held, which confirmed the independence of Nagorno Karabakh: 80% of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh participated in the referendum, more than 99% of whom voted for independence.
Levor Harutyunyan from Martakert says that he dreams of returning home, but he understands that today it is impossible. “No person from Artsakh will return to Artsakh, which is a part of Azerbaijan. Today, our return is not possible: that’s how I see it.”
Hovik AVanesov, who deals with issues of Artsakh’s cultural heritage, says: “Recently, the complete elimination of settlements has increased. Under the stone, Khtsaberd, etc., churches are being demolished… the only lever that can be used to prevent such things is international sanctions, which are not being implemented at the moment.”
Hovik Avanesov, who deals with issues of Artsakh’s cultural heritage, says: “Recently, the complete elimination of settlements has increased, [such as] Karin Tak, Khtsaberd, etc., churches are being demolished… The only lever that can be used to prevent such things is international sanctions, which are not being implemented at the moment.”
“There is no reason to rejoice today. Our glorious holiday, which was dedicated to the liberation of our country, founded by the lives of our brothers and fathers, is simply stolen from us, like our other holidays, which are related to our national character, identity, victories, etx.,” Bagrat Srbazan, who visited the Representatiion of the Republic of Artsakh, said in a conversation with journalists.
“As I have said, we cannot celebrate today for commemoration, but to remind ourselves, to purify ourselves, to correct our path and to liberate our country. And, in the primary sense, this should be the direct way to fight for our dear brothers and sisters to return home to Artsakh,” the Archbishop emphasized.
To the observation that Nikol Pashinyan said in his last press conference that he considers the return of the people of Artsakh to Artsakh unrealistic, the leader of the “Srbazan Movement” responded: “The unreal is his existence. Unfortunately, the world wants the people of Artsakh to return home, and the only obstacle is the so-called RA government, led by the Antichrist… All international players, international forces have announced this, even the leader of the enemy country has announced the return of the people of Artsakh, certainly with other conditions that are not acceptable. The return of our beloved compatriots should be under international guarantees.”
Referring to the activation of the “Holy Struggle” and what needs to be done, Abp. Bagrat noted: “I have always said that the issue of Artsakh cannot be considered a separate issue from complete Armenian agenda; it is a part of our general issues, it is a major component, and our struggle is about it…”
Ani Gevorgyan