PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN PARTICIPATES AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF TATEV AIRTRAM
ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 18, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS: On October 16, the second day of his
working visit to Syunik marz, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the
newly constructed cardiology center in Goris. This medical facility
will be providing immediate medical care to the patients from the
southern regions of Armenia and the population of Nagorno Karabakh.
Presidential press office told Armenpress that in Goris, the President
of Armenia attended also festivities dedicated to the Town’s
Day. The statue of Grigor of Tatev was unveiled in the framework
of celebrations.
Today, President Sargsyan met also with over a hundred journalists
and editors from Spyurk, who have arrived to Goris to meet with
the President of Armenia. They came from the capital of the
NKR Stepanavan, where they participated in the works of the 5th
All-Armenian Journalists Conference.
>>From Goris, President of Armenia arrived to Halidzor where the
“Tatev Renaissance” program was initiated. Here, the ceremony of
inaugurating technical operations of the longest in the world airtram,
which connects Halidzor and Tatev villages, took place. The airtram,
which is stretching for 5.7km over the picturesque Vorotan gorge,
opens new opportunities for the visitors of the monastery compound,
making it more accessible. The program is aimed at the development
of the areas neighboring Tatev, reestablishment of the celebrated
and glorious spiritual, scientific and cultural traditions of this
terrific ancient monastery compound. At the ceremony of inauguration
of the airtram, the President of Armenia was accompanied by His
Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the President of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, representatives of social, political
and cultural circles, officials, hundreds of guests from all over the
world, many of whom are sponsors of the program. On the occasion of
the inauguration of the airtram in Tatev, President Sargsyan made a
statement, in which he particularly said,
“Your Holiness, Esteemed Guests, Fellow Citizens,
I welcome you all to one of the most picturesque places in Armenia.
The inauguration of the “Tatev Renaissance” program is a
nice opportunity to visit once again and take pleasure in the
incomparable views of Syunik and masterpieces of the Medieval Armenian
architecture. Today, those views will be augmented by a modern airtram,
which is called upon to add new charm to the Vorotan Gorge and present
the visitor with unforgettable impressions.
By building the longest airtram in the world we didn’t aspire to
surprise anyone. The objectives we were following are modest by world
standards; however they have crucial importance for Tatev and adjacent
areas. The “Tatev Renaissance” program is a strategic component of the
comprehensive development program of the Southern regions of Armenia
and constitutes a serious impetus for the economic, scientific,
and cultural development of the region.
This is one of major initiatives going on in Armenia today, in which
state and private sectors joined hands in one project. First, the
unrivaled nature of this stunning gorge was crisscrossed by human
thinking. Later, that soaring thinking inspired many individuals.
Today, that soaring thinking is embodied in the airtram, which bridges
the past and the future, the traditional and the modern, culture and
business. The airtram is vivid evidence of the fact that even the
most improbable dreams become reality when there is a clear purpose
and faith and also when the right and important thing is being done
obstacles sooner of later give in.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Today, a momentous and festive occasion has brought us to Syunik –
one of cradles, one of the oldest centers of the Armenian science
and culture. Here, in Syunik the past is hemmed by the light of future.
Here, wounds are silent, and stones are articulate. Many have
dreamed of leaving their vicious footprints here, the footprints of
destruction. But Armenian monuments have reigned and will reign here;
stones here have been speaking and will continue to speak Armenian.
The Monastery of Tatev and Tatev University are among the most
celebrated centers of our science and culture. Tatev has been
deservedly enjoying high repute thanks to the prolific activities of
Grigor Vardapet of Tatev, who was a disciple of Hovnan Vorotnetsi. It
is emblematic that the 600th anniversary of the canonization of the
luminary of the Armenian and world theology Grigor of Tatev and the
“Tatev Renaissance” program coincide in time. Giving new life to this
ancient cradle of the Armenian letters and nearby areas is also an
excellent gift for the 500th anniversary of the Armenian book-printing,
which we will be celebrating soon.
Dear Friends, I congratulate us all. As the saying goes “A good start
half the job done”. The “Tatev Renaissence” Program was initiated by
the Competitive Armenia Fund, and was enthusiastically supported by
our Government, Armenian Apostolic Church, and benefactors. I thank Mr.
Rouben Vardanian who has become a true leader of the project and its
driving force. I also thank all individuals and organizations that
have been involved in this enterprise – an enterprise that seemed
impossible – for their faith, disregard for difficulties, ability
to work shoulder to shoulder and for the present result. I believe
that every visitor will also think with gratitude of the construction
workers, who have done a marvelous job.
To become competitive on the international arena, we sometimes have to
travel abroad and learn there, and it is quite natural. However, there
are some lessons that are to be learned here. Those who built Tatev
were the most spirited architects of their times. The University of
Tatev was one of the most competitive educational centers of its times,
and Saint Grigor of Tatev still remains one of the most brilliant
thinkers of the world. Rebirth of Tatev means the rebirth of Syunik,
hence – competitive Armenia.
Congratulations to us all and thank you.”
From: A. Papazian