On September 2, NKR President Bako Sahakyan handed in state awards and certificates of honorary titles to a group of individuals rendered services to the country, NKR Presidential press service informed NEWS.am. 

The President also participated in the painting exhibition held on the Revival Square of Stepanakert and at a solemn ceremony of opening the “Karot” Third International Armenian Festival, where he delivered a speech.

NEWS.am posts the President’s welcoming speech at the ceremony:

“Dear compatriots,

First of all I would like to congratulate the Artsakh people on our state holiday–The Day of the Artsakh Republic. This very event of pan-Armenian significance has opened a new page in our modern history. Withstanding numerous hardships together with Mother Armenia and the world-spread Armenians, Artsakh managed to maintain and strengthen its state independence and security, create reliable basis for stable development.

The Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity is the base of all our victories and achievement. Widening cultural ties and developing this sphere has an invaluable significance in strengthening this very unity. The “Karot” international festival that started in 2008 and has already became a pan-Armenian event plays its special role in this process.

State and non-governmental institutions and organizations in the Motherland and the Diaspora, business circles, prominent representatives of culture, people who see the maintenance of the Armenian identity and national heritage an exclusive value, have combined their efforts in organizing this festival.

The activities of the “Karot” also give a positive impetus to developing international cultural dialogue, contribute to the presentation of the Armenian culture abroad as well as introduce cultures of different countries and peoples in Armenia and Artsakh. The mere fact that famous musicians, artists, prominent cultural workers arrived from America, Russia, Europe, Middle East and other regions are here with us today is the conspicuous proof of that.

Concluding my speech I would like to express gratitude to the organizers of the “Karot” international festival, the Armenian Culture Development Fund for holding this important event in Artsakh. I hope that it will have its continuation and will become a good tradition.

 I congratulate all of you once again and wish successes and all the best.”