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Armenians unite in Kornidzor, Syunik Province, in a resounding call for solidarity with Artsakh, VIDEO

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Armenians unite in Kornidzor, Syunik Province, in a resounding call for solidarity with Artsakh. Organized by the Volunteer Movement NGO, this powerful protest near the Hakari Bridge in the Berdzor Corridor aims to challenge the oppressive blockade imposed by Azerbaijan.

Thousands of protestors traveled to Kornidzor and then marched toward the Berdzor Corridor. Marching in unison, Artsakh Armenians join the rally, commencing their journey from the Stepanakert Military Pantheon towards the Zarin Bagh section of the vital road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. During the rally, the participants conveyed several key messages.

They emphasized Armenia’s belief in its ability to overcome challenges and achieve progress. Additionally, they issued a warning to Azerbaijan, highlighting the potentially severe consequences of its aggressive actions. The protestors strongly opposed any measures that infringed upon Artsakh’s freedom and right to self-determination. They emphasized that safeguarding Artsakh’s sovereignty is a shared responsibility between Armenia and Artsakh.

Furthermore, they stressed that the Armenian Government should not question referendums or the Armenian Constitution. They firmly rejected any agreements that lacked direct participation from the people. The protestors emphasized that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice and the liberation of occupied territories. They reiterated their preparedness to defend their homeland, as expressed by the organizers of the protest.

Karnig kerkonian UCLA. We are nowhere near these dark woods, but a path to restitution and reparation must be sought, even in darkness.

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UCLA. We are nowhere near out of these dark woods, but a path to restitution and reparation must be sought, even in darkness. Karing Kerkonian writes on his Facebook Page.

I spoke on cultural appropriation at #UCLA a few weeks ago. The subject is yet another painful fold in the book of genocide trauma that continues, almost unabated—and, today, displays in full color to those who care to see. New wounds, sliced and cut upon still open wounds.

I stressed the power of attribution as a legal tool, and its pressing relevance right now in #Artsakh. Azerbaijan’s path to erase our people from native land is paved with narratives seeking to justify unimaginable acts of inhumanity. The playbook, we know all too well.

We must confront these narratives now, I explained, and we must do so with powerful resolve, unrelenting force, and with a sense of duty. To be left commemorating genocide unfinished is simply unspeakable torment upon still unspeakable torment.

I spoke from historical example and, painfully, a myriad of present ones, illustrating how Azerbaijan’s narratives are specifically engineered not only to render Armenians foreigners on their own land, but to clear disgusting pathways to ethnic cleansing, to annihilation and to genocide—to make the undeniably inhumane somehow palatable to humanity.

Narratives of alienation and dehumanization always preview a slaughter by the sword. They try to justify it. They are the red flags. We, more than any others, should smell it in the air. And we must combat these narratives at every turn, always and everywhere. Human lives continue to hang in the balance where words are allowed to waft in the unattended stench of hatred—just as they did a century ago, half a century ago, two years ago … and just as they will tomorrow, if we allow it.

Thank you to Professor Taner Akcam for the invitation to present at UCLA at this critical juncture; indebted to Garo Ghazarian, Arman Tatoyan, Saro Kerkonian, and the «Թաթոյան» հիմնադրամ/ “Tatoyan” foundation for their valuable contributions to the arguments and evidence; and gratitude again to Liz Mirza Al-Dajani and Ani Nazaryan for helping refine, reshape, and target the words.

Friends of ANCA Western Region Hold Fundraising Reception for Senator Anthony Portantino’s Congressional Campaign, Photos

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(Glendale, California) On March 30, the Friends of ANCA Western Region held a fundraising reception for Senator Anthony Portantino in his bid for Congress to succeed Rep. Adam Schiff in the 30th Congressional District of California. In February, the ANCA Western Region announced its endorsement of Senator Portantino for Congress.

The event took place at Brandview Ballroom in Glendale to support his campaign efforts and to give members of the community the opportunity to meet the Senator and discuss issues of concern within the community. The event was attended by dozens of donors, representatives of Armenian-American community organizations, and ANCA-Western Region Board and staff members. Representing the largest Armenian-American population center in California in the 25th Senate District, the Senator’s constituency ranges from the Tri-Cities to the western outskirts of San Bernardino County. The ANCA-WR recognized the Senator with the “Legislator of the Year Award” twice during its Annual Gala Banquets in 2011 and 2017.

“The ANCA Western Region is proud to endorse Senator Anthony Portantino in his campaign to succeed Congressman Adam Schiff to represent the largest Armenian-American constituency in the country. We are confident that in Washington DC, Senator Portantino will continue to build upon his strong record in Sacramento supporting Armenia, Artsakh, and our community,” said ANCA Western Region Chair, Nora Hovsepian Esq.

Senator Portantino has been a committed ally of the Armenian-American community throughout his long political career. His leadership on Armenian-American issues has expanded and strengthened relations between the State of California, the Republic of Armenia, and the Republic of Artsakh, including his establishment of the Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange in 2017 and the California-Armenia Trade & Services Desk at Impact Hub Yerevan in 2021.

“I am extremely honored to be the ANCA Western Region endorsed candidate for Congress. Having this tremendous grassroots organization advocating on my behalf is helping to make this a winning campaign. In concert with the endorsement, we held a highly successful fundraiser on the eve of the first quarter deadline. I am grateful for both the organization’s support and the generosity of the community. It was a great night!”

Senator Portantino is a principal co-author of AJR1: the California Assembly Resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of Artsakh which has surpassed 110 days. AJR1 recently passed through the Assembly with a 59-0 vote. With Senator Portantino’s commitment to advancing issues of importance to the Armenian American community, the ANCA Western Region is confident the resolution will pass through the Senate as well. 

California’s 30th Congressional District is home to the largest concentration of Armenian-American constituents anywhere in the United States, including the communities of Glendale, Burbank, the Foothills, and Little Armenia.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.

Los Angeles: The signature event of the year Armenian American Museum Gala welcomed a capacity audience of donors, supporters, and public officials, Full Video coverage by Gagrule.net

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By Wally Sarkeesian, Founder of Gagrule.net full coverage of the event

Armenian American Museum Gala 2023

Los Angeles: The signature event of the year Armenian American Museum Gala welcomed a capacity audience of donors, supporters, public officials,

Major Sponsors included Rima & Donnell Cameron, Armen & Gloria Hampar Family Foundation, Avadis & Nancy Tevanian, Jack & Zarig Youredjian, Ayvazian Family Foundation, The GASKA Alliance Foundation, Anonymous, Dr. Vicken & Sossy Aharonian, Ron & Kourtni Arakelian, Bank of America, Gregory & Gina Felikian,

Steve & Sandi Hampar, Nabil & Hanan Karabetian, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Matthew & Audrey Matoesian, William McMorrow, Nora Tertzag Hampar Charitable Trust Ara & Nina Ohanian, Sarkis & Nune Sepetjian, and Isaac & Frieda Vartanian.

Senator Anthony J. Portantino delivered remarks on behalf of the State of California, which has invested $19.6 million to support the historic project including a new $9.8 million grant in the 2022-2023 State Budget that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Executive Director Shant Sahakian celebrated the Groundbreaking Campaign that helped the museum reach the historic groundbreaking of the cultural and educational center in the Summer of 2021 and successfully complete the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building a foundation in November 2022. He announced the launch of the Elevate Campaign to set sights on the next major milestone of the project as the landmark center is elevated to the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for generations to come.

Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian delivered a powerful musical performance on the piano with a self-written piece called “Freedom.”

On March 25, 2023, at 11 AM PST, the ANCA-WR Education Committee will hold its 6th Annual Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon. 

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Educators to be Honored at 6th Annual Armenian 

Genocide Education Awards Luncheon

WHEN

Saturday, March 25th, 2023, 11 AM-2 PM

WHERE

Legacy Ballroom

6410 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91201

WHY 

Honoring educators who have surpassed their call of duty 

in teaching about the Armenian Genocide

RSVP BY

Thursday, March 23, 2023 

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11 AM PST, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region Education Committee will hold its 6th Annual Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon. 

Nine educators and a journalist will be honored for their contributions toward educating about the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath in public and private educational institutions, broadcasts, and publications. Araksya Karapetyan of FOX 11 LA will emcee the event.

The event will take place at Legacy Ballroom in Glendale, California. For additional information about the Awards Luncheon or to RSVP to attend and cover the Award Ceremony, contact Anna Gasparyan at anna@ancawr.org; 818-745-4555. 

Honorees: 

Armenian Genocide Education Legacy Award 

Dr. Stephan Astourian, Professor & Former Executive Director of Armenian Studies, University of California, Berkeley

Richard G. Hovannisian Higher Educator Award

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian, Professor, Columbia University

Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. Courage Award 

Christina Pascucci, Journalist, Fox News

Armenian Genocide Education Award  

Violet De Luna, Educator, Toll Middle School,

Glendale Unified School District

Celeste Lau, Valley View Elementary School,

Glendale Unified School District

Manuel Lopez, Alisal High School,

Salinas Union High School District

Ana Quintanilla, Mountain View Elementary School,

Los Angeles Unified School District

Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Heritage Award 

Anita Kazaryan, Burbank High School,

Burbank Unified School District

Talar Keoseyan, Teacher, Sunland Elementary School,

Los Angeles Unified School District

Taline Satamian, Franklin Elementary School,

Glendale Unified School District

Media/RSVP Contact: Anna Gasparyan

Email/Tel: anna@ancawr.org; 818-745-4555

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region

104 N. Belmont St. Suite 200, Glendale CA 91206

How to protect the public from the manipulations of the press conference giver

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How to protect the public from the manipulations of the press conference giver

The content of Nikol Pashinyan’s regular press conference has already been discussed, I have no desire to repeat it. This time I decided not to address the content, but the format of the press conference. To the question of how fair that format is in terms of the equality of the parties. To what extent is the society protected from Nicola’s manipulations by the journalist? And what can neutral and objective media counter it? And it is most manifested not only during pre-election campaigning but also during Nikol’s press conferences. Especially when they are not self-interviews, but actual press conferences.
In their existing format, naturally, no single journalist can overcome the manipulations of the RA Prime Minister. And when we take into account the latter’s many years of political and journalistic experience, all attempts to reveal the truth by asking Pashinyan a question can a priori be considered failed from the beginning. Of course, there may be exceptions, but they do not change the essence of the phenomenon. Because the person sitting in front of a crowded hall has an advantage from the beginning. whatever question is asked to him and whatever clarification is made after receiving the answer, the latter will remain in the status of “winner”. And that will end the “dialogue” between the questioner and the answerer.

By and large, the same thing happens in the National Assembly, where Nicol is asked questions, presumably by more prepared persons. Naturally, this refers to the members of the opposition factions. Despite being more prepared, due to the format, they still cannot debate with Pashinyan as an equal. But in all cases, presumably, they should not be enemies ready to bite each other’s throats, but partners. It’s just that Armenia is not in a position today for an opposition deputy to seek cooperation with an official of the executive or law enforcement systems, to be on the same level and practically be equal.

In practice, there is also the phenomenon when one side of the interview, the questioner, acts not from the position of an equal and cooperating journalist, but from the position of an investigator or even a prosecutor. The best proof of what has been said is the interviews of the Englishman Stephen Sakur, the presenter of BBC “HardTalk”. Especially one of them, the one that was held in August 2020 with Nikol Pashinyan, who holds the post of RA Prime Minister. The reaction of independent and neutral analysts was unequivocal: Pashinyan was humiliated during the entire interview. Of course, as a former journalist, I can testify that the “hard-talking” interview format is unusual and even unacceptable. That is the opposite extreme of what happens in the National Assembly or press conferences.

An intermediate option remains, when the parties to the interview are equal. And listening to each other’s points of view, they try not only to clarify, but also to respond and correct them. But that format, of course, cannot be used during press conferences. Which means that the question “why did the journalists go to the press conference if it was supposed to be exactly like before” will always remain. In contrast to press conferences, in the case of an MP-official dialogue, equality between the former and the latter, regardless of their position, may be legally allowed. And in that case, the deputy holding the primary mandate of the voters can deny the words of the official who does not have such a mandate and remove him wrongly. Which, of course, can be implemented in the conditions of a real democracy, not a Nicholas one.

Vakhtang Siradeghyan

Christina Pascucci and Dr. Astourian are To Be Honored at the 6th Annual Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon; Araksya Karapetyan to MC the Ceremony

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(Glendale, California)—The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region’s Education Committee announced that Dr. Stephan H. Astourian will receive the Armenian Genocide Education Legacy award at the 6th Annual Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon on Saturday, March 25 at Legacy Ballroom 6410 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91201 at 11 am PST.

“The ANCA-WR Education Committee is proud to present Dr. Astourian with the Armenian Genocide Education Legacy Award this year,” said Taline Arsenian, Luncheon Committee Chair.

Until his retirement in July 2022, Dr. Stephan Astourian was the William Saroyan Director of the Armenian Studies Program, a program founded by him at the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of History for over 20 years. Dr. Astourian’s classes at UC Berkeley have covered topics in history, comparative genocides, Diaspora studies, Armenian language, and Armenian literature and culture. Dr. Astourian and his colleague, Dr. Myrna Douzjian, have spearheaded and kept the Armenian Studies Program alive and thriving despite lack of funding and resources that sustain small programs in educational institutions, maintaining the integrity and unabating quality of Armenian history and language education in the Bay Area.

“Dr. Astourian has made profound contributions to academia and the Armenian community at large. We are grateful to all his years of service and it is our honor to present him with our most prestigious recognition,” continued Arsenian.

The Master of Ceremonies of the 2023 Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon will be the much loved and celebrated news anchor, Araksya Karapetyian. The Emmy winning anchor of the Good Day L.A. news show of LA Fox 11  has been a vocal proponent of Armenian issues and causes and a powerful voice for Armenians and other marginalized communities through daily broadcasts that air in the second biggest city in the United States.

“Araksya is a role model for all young women. I am honored to have her as the MC for this year’s award ceremony,” said Alice Petrossian, Chair of ANCA Western Region’s Education Committee. “Karapetyan’s relentless dedication to the Armenian Cause is prevalent through her work at FOX 11, where she regularly covers issues of importance to the Armenian American community in Los Angeles, including the continued Azerbaijani aggressions against the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh.”

The recipient of the 2023 Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. Courage Award is Karapetyan’s colleague at FOX 11, Emmy Award-winning journalist Christina Pasccuci. Pascucci is a licensed pilot and a humanitarian advocate who has traveled to more than 100 countries across seven continents in pursuit of the truth. She received the Journalist of the Year award by the LA Press Club in 2020.  

In September 2022, Pascucci traveled to the frontlines during Azerbaijan’s illegal invasion and occupation of the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia. During her reporting mission, Pascucci traveled to multiple cities in Armenia like Jermuk, which came under attack during her coverage, and was transformed into a ghost town when it was once a bustling resort spot.

Pascucci reported on the devastating consequences of war in towns where Armenian men, women, and children had their homes destroyed by shelling from Azerbaijani forces, and delivered those untold stories of devastation to American audiences.

“Pascucci’s ability to maneuver through an active war zone is a demonstration of her journalistic integrity and dedication to her craft,” said Alice Petrossian. “At a time when the entire world’s attention had been focused on the horrific conflict in Ukraine, Pascucci courageously captured the heart- wrenching stories of Armenian suffering and professionally delivered it to the world.”

Pascucci attributes her introduction and understanding of the Armenian Genocide to her high school Spanish teacher Delia Grigorian, once more proving the real, lasting effects of the work teachers do. 

All community members are invited to the 6th Annual Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon, to show their appreciation, celebrate and honor educators for their dedication to teaching about the Armenian Genocide. This year’s luncheon is scheduled to begin at 11am at Legacy Ballroom in Glendale, CA. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online. Tickets for the Awards Luncheon are running out, so please reserve your tickets immediately. For additional information about the 2023 Awards Luncheon, visit the ANCA-WR Education Committee website or call (818) 500-1918.

European UEFA has banned Turkish fans from attending an upcoming match in Yerevan between Armenia’s and Turkey’s national soccer teams.

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Citing security concerns, European football’s governing body, UEFA, has banned Turkish fans from attending an upcoming match in Yerevan between Armenia’s and Turkey’s national soccer teams.

ARMENIA – Turkish national football team fans watch a pre-game training session in Yerevan on September 5, 2008.

The two neighboring nations as well as Croatia, Wales and Latvia were drawn into Group D of the qualifying tournament for the 2024 European Championship that will take place in Germany.

Turkey and Armenia will start their qualifying campaigns at Yerevan’s Vazgen Sargsian Republican Stadium on March 25.

The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) confirmed on Tuesday that UEFA ordered it not to sell tickets to travelling Turkish fans in order to avoid “unnecessary tension” during the game.

For the same reason, Armenian fans will be barred from the second Euro 2024 qualifier between the two teams which will be played in Turkey in September.

An FFA spokesman told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that UEFA imposed the bans at its own initiative. Neither the Armenian nor the Turkish football federation had requested such a measure, he said.

Armenia and Turkey played each other for the first time in Yerevan in 2008. That match was attended by then-Turkish President Abdullah Gul and a small number of Turkish fans.

Gul’s landmark trip to the Armenian capital marked the beginning of a rapprochement between the two nations that nearly led to the normalization of their historically strained relations. Then Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian flew to Turkey a year later to watch a second game between the two teams.

“There was strong interest in that game,” said Levon Pachajian, a former Armenia international who played against the Turks in 2008. “A lot of journalists arrived from Turkey.”

Pachajian approved of UEFA’s decision, arguing that Turkish-Armenian relations are more fraught now than in 2008-2009 because of the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh during which Turkey strongly supported Azerbaijan.

“We all understand that football is an emotional sport and environment where violence and other provocations are possible,” said the former footballer.

Ankara and Yerevan launched another, more cautious normalization process a year ago. It has yielded few concrete results so far.

Source: https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32307027.html

Artsakh: What issues were discussed at the meeting of the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan?

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The office of the Security Council of Artsakh announced new details regarding the discussions with the representatives of Azerbaijan.

The report states that in accordance with the decision of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh on February 28, 2023, a working group was created to discuss urgent humanitarian issues with the Azerbaijani side.

The head of the group is Samvel Shahramanian, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh.

“According to the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation stationed in the Republic of Artsakh, on March 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the headquarters of the peacekeeping troops, with the participation of the commander of the troops, Major General Andrey Volkov, the Artsakh and Azerbaijani sides were held. a meeting in which a similar working group formed by the Republic of Azerbaijan, headed by Ramin Mammadov, a member of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, took part.

The agenda items of the meeting were:

Ensuring the uninterrupted supply of natural gas to the Republic of Artsakh and the exclusion of further gas cuts.
In order to restore the power supply of the Republic of Artsakh, the inspection of the part of the only high-voltage line from the Republic of Armenia entering Artsakh, under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, and the possibility of carrying out restoration works by “Artsakhenergo” CJSC specialists.
The organization of a one-time visual tour by an Azerbaijani professional group in the area of ​​Kashin and Drombon mines.
Complete opening of the Stepanakert-Goris highway.
In the opening speech, the commander of the peacekeeping troop presented the participants of the meeting as the sides of the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Then, the head of the Artsakh group explained to the Azerbaijani side the powers of the group headed by him, that is, the discussion of the above-mentioned specific issues and the search for solutions to them.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of the Azeri group tried to lead the conversation towards the need for the integration of Artsakh with Azerbaijan, presenting prospects of obtaining possible socio-economic advantages in that case, but the head of the Artsakh group opposed it, urging to carry out a discussion on clearly defined issues. The latter also emphasized that these contacts with urgent humanitarian and infrastructural issues cannot address the main issues of the comprehensive settlement of the conflict, and for this it is necessary to form a format with broad international support.

It should be noted that the other members of the Azerbaijani group were engaged in the discussion of the above-mentioned four specific issues and the search for solutions, according to which, the further course of the meeting fully complied with the framework defined by the agenda.

As a result of the discussion of all the issues on the agenda, specific agreements were reached, which the Azerbaijani side undertook to report to the higher authorities and in the coming days, through the peacekeeping force, to inform the Artsakh side about the results.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a stable feedback mechanism between the parties.

At the meeting, the parties agreed to publish only general information for the time being, considering that the process is still in the working stage. However, shortly after the meeting, the head of the Azerbaijani group gave interviews on the information platforms of his country, in which he spread completely different misinformation, deviating from the actual content and process, in particular announcing that the meeting discussed “issues of reintegration of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region into Azerbaijan”. Unfortunately, this falsification of Azerbaijani officials and media was also used by some representatives of the Armenian media, thereby creating a false impression that issues related to the comprehensive settlement of the conflict are allegedly being discussed in the Artsakh-Azerbaijani contacts. While, as we mentioned,

The next Azerbaijani disinformation, according to which the next meeting of the official representatives of the parties “may take place in Ganja or Aghdam”, and without the participation of the Russian peacekeeping troops, is also not true.

We urge you not to give in to the fabrications of the Azerbaijani propaganda machine and to be convinced that the public will be given exhaustive information about the above-mentioned process and its results,” the message states.

Ամբողջական հոդվածը կարող եք կարդալ այս հասցեով՝ : https://hraparak-am.translate.goog/post/dbe20fefab4ca7c493789e536b221326?_x_tr_sl=hy&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui,sc

© 2008 – 2021 «Հրապարակ օրաթերթ»

8 Weeks Under Blockade: Town Hall with Republic of Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan

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Discussing the current state of Artsakh, over 50 days illegally blockaded by Azerbaijan, with the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan

On Monday, February 6, 2023, at 7:30 PM, community members, politicians, and distinguished guests will attend a town hall meeting discussing the current state of Artsakh, 57 days under blockade by Azerbaijan. Ruben Vardanyan, the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh will be joining remotely to answer the community’s questions and provide insights from on the ground in Artsakh. 

As it stands, 120,000 Armenians are starved of proper food supply, heat for their homes, power for schools and institutions, and life-saving medical supplies. The Azerbaijani regime’s illegal blockade risks the lives of the Armenians in Artsakh,  threatening  erasure as the blockade continues day after day without an end in sight. 

The event will take place at Glendale Youth Center, 211 W Chestnut St, Glendale, CA 91204. Attendees are encouraged to ask their questions to Minister Vardanyan.

When: Monday, February 6th, 2023 7:30PM PST

Where: Glendale Youth Center 

211 W Chestnut St, Glendale, CA 91204