Public Television (PTA) apologized for broadcasting Tata Simonyan`s concert on the anniversary of the 44-day Artsakh War

ArmInfo. On the 6th anniversary of the 44-day Artsakh War, the Public Television of Armenia (PTA) broadcast a concert by renowned Armenian pop singer Tata Simonyan. This sparked a wave of discontent in the Armenian public and sharp criticism of both the performer and the public broadcaster.

In response, Tata Simonyan stated on his Facebook page that the material was the property of the Public Television and was used without their consent.

"I understand and completely agree - it was unacceptable to broadcast this concert live on September 27. I apologize for what happened," the artist wrote.

He emphasized that the broadcast of his concert by the Public Television on that day was a grave and indefensible mistake. "Glory to our fallen." "I bow my head in their memory," Simonyan noted.

The artist's statement was followed by a statement from the Public Television of Armenia. Specifically, the statement stated that the channel considers the incident a mistake and takes full responsibility for it.

"We will not attempt to justify what happened by citing programming, technical, or operational circumstances. We apologize for what happened. The relevant work procedures are being reviewed to prevent a recurrence of such incidents," the PTA noted.

As a reminder, the 44-day war in Artsakh began on September 27, 2020. On that day, at 7:10 AM, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh. The war lasted 44 days and ended on November 9 with the signing of a trilateral statement by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan. Throughout the war, the enemy used, among other things, prohibited weapons. As a result of the catastrophic war, the Armenian side suffered heavy losses, according to official figures: over 3,800 people were killed, and the whereabouts of over 200 remain unknown. Seven districts of Artsakh, as well as Shushi and Hadrut, were lost.

The aftermath of that war was constantly accompanied by new armed provocations and military actions undertaken by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, resulting in further casualties and territorial losses for the Armenian side, including in Armenia.

The most recent such attack was the bombing of Stepanakert and its environs on September 19, 2023, preceded by a nearly 10-month blockade of Artsakh. The following day, September 20, Stepanakert accepted the proposals of Russian peacekeepers, after which military operations ceased, but a mass exodus of Artsakh residents to Armenia began.