Armenian authorities ban anthem and symbols at concert dedicated to  culture of Artsakh - ex-minister 

ArmInfo. Armenian authorities have banned the performance of the anthem, as well as the use of the flag and coat of arms of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), at a large-scale cultural event dedicated to the culture of Artsakh, "We Exist." Former Artsakh Culture Minister Sergey Shahverdyan announced this on his Facebook page.

"The public has little idea of the trials and tribulations the  organizers of this event had to endure. It wasn't just financial  difficulties. The performance of the Artsakh anthem, as well as the  use of the flag and coat of arms, were banned. Many things were  banned that, for us, aren't symbols, but rather part of our identity  and memory. And yet, despite these restrictions and unspoken  pressure, the event took place," the former NKR Minister wrote.

Shahverdyan noted that the event was the largest cultural event since  the forced displacement of the entire Artsakh population. "Deep  respect and gratitude to everyone who took on this responsibility and  saw it through to the end. This wasn't just an event-it was an act of  dignity and resistance to oblivion. We exist!  And they (the Armenian  authorities-ed.) can't change that. No matter how hard they try!" the  former Artsakh Minister of Culture emphasized.

As previously reported by the Artsakh Ministry of Culture, the event,  held on January 18 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert  Complex, brought together nearly all of Artsakh's cultural groups, as  well as renowned Armenian and Artsakh soloists, under one roof. In  addition to the concert, according to the source, an exhibition was  also held on the complex grounds throughout the day. The Ministry  reported that the event, initiated and organized by the Center for  the Preservation of Artsakh Culture NGO and the Munk Techno School,  became an important platform for presenting, consolidating, and  ensuring the continuity of Artsakh's cultural heritage. According to  social media, the Eurasia-Armenia Foundation is also among the  event's organizers. The Foundation reported that Eurasia-Armenia  invited the families of fallen soldiers, relatives of those injured  in the explosion of the fuel storage facility in Artsakh, and  representatives of socially vulnerable groups to participate in the  event. The Hayakve initiative is also among the sponsors.

As a reminder, on September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan, under the pretext  of an "anti-terrorist operation," initiated a large-scale aggression  against Artsakh, which led to the complete de-Armenization of the  NKR.  This was preceded by a nearly 10-month blockade of the  unrecognized republic. Since the enemy aggression that began in the  fall of 2020, which culminated in the complete ethnic cleansing of  Artsakh in September 2023, over 150,000 Artsakh residents have lost  their homeland and become refugees. Back in the summer of 2024,  Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW), in its 7th report on the situation  around Artsakh, reported a 75% increase in the destruction of  Armenian heritage in the occupied territories of the NKR by  Azerbaijan, and a 29% increase in the number of sites classified as  endangered. According to various sources, 28 museums remain under  Azerbaijani control in Artsakh, including 12 in Shushi, five in  Stepanakert, four in Hadrut, three in the Martuni region, and two  each in the Martakert and Askeran regions.

Despite the tragedy, representatives of the ruling party and the  media they control, as well as supporters of current Armenian Prime  Minister Nikol Pashinyan, are fueling Artsakhphobia and are trying in  every way to suppress the issue of the return of Artsakh residents to  their homeland.