Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh remember the fallen heroes of the April 2016 War

Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh, Armen Sarkissian and Bako Sahakian, marked the third anniversary of the 2016 April War in Talish on Tuesday by paying tribute the soldiers who were killed during Azerbaijan’s brutal attack on all Artsakh fronts.

Sarkissian, who is in Artsakh for a working visit, joined Sahakian in laying wreaths at a special memorial in Talish, which was severely damaged during the 2016 War and has been rebuilt.

Following the ceremony, the two presidents met with the soldiers who participated in the war.

“I have come here to bow before you and say I am proud of you, I am proud that soldiers of the victorious Armenian army are standing in front of me,” Sarkissian said, thanking the soldiers for their service. “I have come to see, feel and listen to you. For me it is very important to listen to what the soldiers, the officers who were at the frontline have to say.”

“Wars are won not only with weapons but with spirit. If this spirit is strong, no one can do anything against it,” added Sarkissian who praised efforts to rebuild the Talish village located in Artsakh’s Mardakert district.

The two leaders also presided over an inauguration ceremony of a memorial in Maghavuz village of Martakert region dedicated to the memory of 17 village residents who gave their lives during the Artsakh war.

The Armenian and Artsakh Presidents laid wreaths at the memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the village residents who had fallen in the Artsakh war and the Great Patriotic War.

Sahakian handed over State Orders of Artsakh to a group of village residents for the bravery shown during the 2016 April military operations.

The two also met local villagers who had participated in the April 2016 War and heard soldiers recounting their experiences during the operation that thwarted Azerbaijan’s efforts to breach Artsakh’s territory.

As part of his visit to Artsakh, Sarkissian, accompanied by Sahakian also toured the Kataro Vineyards and became acquainted with Artsakh’s premiere wine production facility.

Touring the vineyards and production facility, which are located in the Togh Village of the Hadrut Province, the two presidents met its founding director Edik Avetisyan and his son who introduced the leaders to the company’s history and future projects.

After tasting the various wines produced by Kataro President Sarkissian toasted to the Avetisyan family saying, “Spirit and love are very important for any work, and you are investing them.” The Avetisyans announced that Kataro will unveil its 2012 vintage.

While in the Togh village, the two presidents toured its historic monuments, visited the Palace of Meliks and had a spoke to village residents about every-day life issues, as well as Togh’s rich history.

On Monday evening, Sahakian and Sarkissian attended a concert in the Stepanakert Culture and Youth Palace dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Artsakh State Chamber Orchestra.