Today, on the 14th day of the siege of Artsakh, tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens gathered in Stepanakert's Revival Square. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan, former President Bako Sahakyan, and Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan were present at the rally.

The gathering started with the Lord's prayer, which was founded by Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, leader of the Diocese of Artsakh.

He conveyed the blessing of the Armenian Catholicos and the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the participants of the rally, and then noted: "Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the holiday of Christmas. Therefore, on this occasion, we also send our appeal to the entire Christian world to rise above political motives and, motivated by Christian love, address the issue of protecting the basic human rights of their brothers and sisters living in Artsakh, so that we too have the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful holiday of the Holy Christmas in full and peaceful conditions. ".

The participants of the rally honored the memory of those who died in the war with a 1-minute silence. Then residents of different settlements of Artsakh gave speeches. The youth of Artsakh also spoke English, French, and Russian.

Armen Asryan, President of the Union of Relatives of Soldiers Killed and Missing in the Third Artsakh War, drew the attention of the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan to the large gathering. "On October 30, you said that people came from Armenia. Now, where did they come from? See that Artsakh exists, Artsakh will be, and Artsakh people will fight to live here."

It should be reminded that on October 30, a rally was held in Renaissance Square.

Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan also gave a speech during today's rally. He mentioned that at the beginning of next year, on February 23, 35 years of the Artsakh struggle will be completed. "This blockade is not 14 days. this struggle has been going on for 35 years."

According to Ruben Vardanyan, they work every day from 7 am to 2 am to overcome difficulties. "Believe that we understand all your difficulties. We know what has happened, both with the injustice and the problems that you face, all of us, we have to create a new situation, that we all believe that we live in a just country, and let this become an example to other countries, the same neighboring country that sent the eco-activists (he means Azerbaijan, - ed.). They should take an example from us. We will teach them how to live, not that they will tell us how to maintain ecological standards.

Ruben Vardanyan also called on people to believe in each other and respect the state. "This is our strength, that we are not just independent, but we have truly become a society that knows what democracy means, what human rights mean, what it means to respect a person. There is a law. When you are under pressure, either you get stronger and push back, or you run away. We have no right to run away. We must resist, we must, seeing that strength in us, oppose our strength in front of them."

Artsakh state minister noted that, as in Russian fairy tales, Artsakh now has three roads. "One, sooner or later we submit that we are gradually integrated into Azerbaijan. Second, we leaving. Third, we fight. I made my decision on September 2. I am here, I am fighting, and I will not leave, I will not submit to Azerbaijan's conditions."

He also talked about the upcoming difficulties, noting that the road will not be easy. "There will be sweat, blood will be spilled, and a lot of work will be required. But if we feel that strength in ourselves, that we believe in each other, that we know our goal, that our independent Artsakh is the most important thing for us, and living on our land is the meaning of our life, I am sure that it is not only us. to feel, the world will feel it, not only the world will help us, we will help the world. We should not say alone: we are victims, help us. We help the world by being so strong, so independent, so ready to fight."

In the last part of the rally, the call of the people of Artsakh addressed to the world and Armenians was made. In its address, the Armenian people of Artsakh announced that the communication connecting Artsakh to the outside world should be restored without preconditions and immediately, and conditions should be created to ensure its further uninterrupted activity.

The title also states: "The Republic of Artsakh will continue to make efforts to strengthen the security and defense capabilities of its people, combining its own capabilities and the capabilities of the Russian Federation Peacekeeping Mission."

At the end of the rally, the anthem of the Republic of Artsakh was played.

Artsakh youths organized an action in Yerevan in parallel with the rally in Renaissance Square. Chanting "Open the road of life", and "Artsakh", the participants of the action marched to Republic Square and performed the Artsakh national anthem.

Main photo from Suren Stepanyan's Facebook page

Anna Sahakyan