STEPANAKERT.- President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan participated in the solemn ceremony of lighting the torch of the 5th Pan-Armenian games at the Gandzasar Cathedral of St John the Baptist and delivered a welcoming address.

Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan, chairman of the Pan-Armenian Games’ international committee Ishkhan Zakharyan, numerous guests from Armenia and Diaspora were present at the ceremony, NKR presidential press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

President Bako Sahakyan addressed the participants.

“Dear athletes,

I am glad to welcome all of you in the ancient Artsakh soil.

Today we are partaking in a very important and symbolic event. In a few minutes at the Gandzasar’s Cathedral of St John the Baptist the torch of the 5th Pan-Armenian games will be lit. It is not casual. During the last 20 years Artsakh has become the symbol of consolidation of the world-spread Armenians.

Such events also depict the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora solid and inflexible trinity. We highlight the role of the Pan-Armenian games from the very viewpoint of continuous strengthening of this trinity. These games are not only a pure sense competitions, but also another expression of our national solidarity and unity. The victorious spirit must always be strong in every Armenian and accompany us on our unbroken way.

Together with teams from different cities of the world about 100 athletes from Artsakh will partake in these games. They worked hard and are ready to participate worthily and struggle for the prize places. In Artsakh we will follow with great attention the course of the games and the participation of our athletes.

I wish success and all the best to all the participants of the 5th Pan-Armenian games. Let these games give new strength and vigor to you and become the beginning of greater victories.”