From February 27 to 29, 1988, Armenian pogroms were perpetrated in the city of Sumgait, which is just 30 kilometers from Baku. For three days, the Azerbaijanis killed, as well as raped and robbed people just because they were Armenian. Dozens were murdered, hundreds were maimed and thousands were expelled. The murdered, maimed and expelled Armenians became the first victims of Azerbaijan’s policy of terrorism against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Ninotsminda hosted a lecture in memory of the victims of Sumgait. Armenian history teacher, Mr. Yeranosyan presented historical facts about the second crime of the 21st century. Unfortunately, to this day, the international community has not given a legal and political evaluation of the Sumgait pogroms.

The lecture was followed by the screening of a film devoted to the Sumgait pogroms. Among the attendees were the students and teachers of the Center’s clubs.

On February 28, the Armenian Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha also hosted a lecture and film screening dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Sumgait pogroms. The lecture was delivered by the Center’s Armenian history teacher Aram Simonyan. After the lecture, the youth watched the documentary called “Typical Genocide”, which presents the whole truth about the Sumgait pogroms with numerous facts.

Twenty-eight years later, we Armenians respect the memory o ... »»»

On November 17, 1999, the UNESCO adopted a decision on acknowledging February 21st as International Mother Language Day. The Armenian community of Georgia celebrated the day with great excitement, and the key role-players were the children and youth of the community.

During the event held at the Armenian Youth, Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha, children sang songs and recited poems devoted to the Armenian language and performed Armenian dances with the patriotic spirit and great excitement.

Chairwoman of ARS Georgia and education representative of the three youth centers of Akhalkalak, Karine Tadevosyan had traveled to Akhaltskha to participate in the event. She praised the fact that the Center’s administration, as well as the teachers and students were ready for the event.

International Mother Language Day is linked to the political struggle to recognize Bengalese as a separate language. In 1952, a group of young people were shot and killed by police officers in Dakka after going against the decision on recognizing Urdu as the only national language. Chairwoman of ARS Georgia Karine Tadevosyan touched upon all this in her speech during the “The Mother Language is My Sanctity” intellectual game/contest and congratulated everyone on this beautiful holiday.

Among the participants of the game/contest were members of the Center’s Armenian Language and Literature Club, who were divided into three teams, including “Nz ... »»»

January 28th is one of the most brilliant days in our reality since it marks the day of Armenian soldiers and the Armenian Army. We Armenians have dreamed of having an army that will defend our state, and today, that is no longer a dream. The declaration of independence of 1990, which was a signal of Armenia’s de facto independence, opened new perspectives for the creation of the National Army.

On 28 January 1992, the Government of the Republic of Armenia passed the already historic decision “On the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia”, which signaled the formation of the Armenian National Army.

With the calling of the native land, hundreds of Armenian officers, who had been serving in different military units of the Soviet Army until then, returned to Armenia.

Javakhk also actively participated in the national struggle of the Armenian people. Hundreds of Armenians of Javakhk sacrificed their lives for the independence of Artsakh, and their names and endeavors will be praised and will go down in the pages of the history that will be written in the future. Today, the members of the Youth Center of Akhalkalak reflected on three of those Armenians, including Artur Gharibyan, Misak Adamyan and Heghine Bdoyan.

In groups, the members beautifully presented their lives and endeavors and performed patriotic songs.

Today, the Armenian Army is marking its 24th anniversary, and this is a celebration for all Armen ... »»»

On November 7, this year’s ARS Eremian Scholarship was granted to 3rd-year student of Samtskhe-Javakhk State University Victoria Minasyan during a ceremony held at the end of the “Golden Autumn” event that took place in the yard of the Youth, Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha.

Chairwoman of ARS Georgia Karine Tadevosyan officially granted the $500 dollar Eremian Scholarship to Victoria. Karine Tadevosyan said Victoria had promised to support the efforts of the local youth center upon graduation and attached importance to that.

Victoria expressed her deep gratitude to the Akhaltskha chapter of ARS Georgia and the ARS Central Committee for granting her the Yeremian Scholarship.

A new kindergarten has opened in the Heshtiya village of the Municipality of Ninotsminda with funding provided by the main leaders of the Armenian Catholic Church. The building of the kindergarten pertains to the Catholic Church of Heshtiya village and had been operating as a hospital for over a decade.

The building has all the conditions to provide the children with a normal upbringing. Currently, more than 50 children attend the kindergarten, and the administration plans to add another group. Among those attending the opening of the kindergarten were the leadership of the Municipality of Ninotsminda, as well as residents of Heshtiya village and guests from neighboring villages and the city of Ninotsminda.

Akhaltskha.Net’s interview with Gevorg Petrosyan, who is a famous craftsman from Akhaltskha and was an active public figure in the 1990s.

Akhaltskha.net: Mr. Petrosyan, you have done and still do a lot with your beautiful craftsmanship and try to preserve the works of craftsmen in Akhaltskha. After seeing these wonderful works, the first question that comes to a person’s mind is how you learned this marvelous craft.

Gevorg Petrosyan: Akhaltskha has been known as a city of arts and crafts since ancient times. Craftsmanship, including the work of smithies has always been more developed in this city than in other cities of Georgia. Akhaltskha even used to have a street that was like a full hall of studios that was called “Damarchanots” or “Damarchineri Maila”. When we would come home from school, we would go and stand near those craftsmen and learn something from them. These days Akhaltskha is in quite poor conditions, and we’re trying to do whatever we can to maintain all that existed in Akhaltskha and transmit the knowledge to the youth until the time comes when Akhaltskha has many craftsmen once again.

Akhaltskha.net: Perhaps you have also learned something from your ancestors. For instance, you have learned from your uncle and grandfather who were also craftsmen and were good professionals.

G. P.: My uncle and grandfather were known for making heaters placed on walls (“Pechnik”). As I said, I learned how to become a craftsm ... »»»

On August 7, Akhaltskha’s athletes ended their competitions at the 6th Pan-Armenian Games. The seven light athletics athletes are returning to Akhaltskha with five gold medals, two silver medals, five bronze medals and one cup.

Yendrik Jilbershtein scored two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal, while Ludwig Jilbershtein scored one gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal. Rudik Minasyan scored one gold medal and one bronze medal, and Andranik Matinyan scored one gold medal and two bronze medals.

According to our sources, Tbilisi’s team also scored five gold medals at the Pan-Armenian Games.

Renovation is underway at St. Karapet Church, which is located in the Gandza village of Ninotsminda.

The dome and the upper part of the church are currently being renovated, and the interior of the church will also be renovated. Expenses are covered by benefactors of the village.