The three-day heroic battle of Gharakilisa gave life to the entire Armenian nation.

Deputy Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly (NA), Eduard Sharmazanov, who is also the Spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, said the aforementioned at an event held in Lori town on the occasion of the First Republic Day on Sunday.

In his words, on this day 99 years ago the Armenian people regained their statehood overcoming the death. “The history of our people is nothing but a struggle for independence. That struggle began as early as in 2429 B.C., when Forefather Hayk won the struggle against Eastern Titanid Bel, announcing to the entire world that we were born as Armenians in the Armenian homeland by God’s will and have no other mission but to live and create in our homeland, the Armenian plateau.

Artashes I fought for independence, Dziravi glorious battle was [also] a struggle for independence. The most majestic struggle for independence was Vardan Mamikonyan’s battle of Avarayr, and—several centuries later—that of Gharakilisa. […] If not Gharakilisa, we would not have Armenia today,” Sharmazanov said, adding that Armenia should rely on itself.

In his words, the wealthy should empty their purses for the sake of Armenia. “If we follow that path, we will have powerful Armenia, otherwise we will have a different path. In Gharakilisa we said: “Long live tomorrow’s Armenia.”Today we have that Armenia, independent Armenia, and we should do our best to gradually get stronger by mentality, fist and spirit.”