I have spent 21,000 hours here - Ruben Vardanyan 

ArmInfo.During a phone call with his family, former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan  thanked everyone who cares for him and supports his family. In his address, Ruben recited philosophical lines by the 14th-15th-century poet Imadeddin Nasimi in his own interpretation. This was reported by the Ruben Vardanyan Support Group.

Ruben then shared his formula for life-the principles that help him  maintain inner freedom even after more than 21,000 hours of  imprisonment. He speaks of generous love and tender care, sincere  words, unwavering faith, constant inner growth, the ability to  forgive, not judge, and not fear death, following one's own path,  leaving the rest to God. In conclusion, he again thanked everyone who  writes him letters, especially handwritten ones, and said he is happy  to feel this connection.

"I want to thank all the people who care about me." I know many of  you called and spoke with Veronica, my family, and loved ones. I want  to say a huge thank you for your support, your attitude, your  thoughts, your emotions, your feelings. I feel it all, sense it all,  and I am very grateful for your support for me and my family. I want  to read to you: This isn't even a poem-it's the philosophy of a poet  who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Imadeddin  Nasimi, a brilliant philosopher and poet. An excerpt from his poem,  translated by Konstantin Simonov. I made a small change at the end  because this philosophy resonated so strongly with me. And I hope  that all lovers of Nasimi's poetry will forgive me, because this  isn't poetry, it's philosophy.

Both worlds can fit within me, but I cannot fit into this world: I am  essence, I have no place - and I cannot fit into being. The universe  is my harbinger, my beginning is my life. Follow me: I have lost my  way, I apologize. Both worlds can fit within me, but I cannot fit  into this world: I am essence, I have no place - and I cannot fit  into being. All that was, is, and will be - all is embodied in me,  Don't ask! Follow me. I cannot fit into explanations.

The universe is my harbinger, my beginning is your life. - Recognize  me by these signs, but I cannot fit into signs. No one has ever  reached the truth through prejudice and doubt: He who has known the  truth knows - I cannot fit into prejudice. Look deeper into my image  and try to understand its meaning. Being body and soul, I cannot fit  into both. I am a pearl hidden in a shell. I am a bridge leading to  hell and heaven. I am the most secret treasure of all treasures, I am  the evidence of all worlds. I am the source of precious stones, but I  cannot fit into the seas and the depths. Though I am great and  immense, I am Adam, I am a man. I am the embodiment of the universe,  but I cannot fit into the embodiment. All times and all ages-I am I.  Soul and world-all this is me! But isn't it strange that I cannot fit  into them either? An old man-I am also young, a bow with a taut  bowstring. I am power, I am eternal wealth, but I cannot fit into the  centuries. Although today I am Vardanyan, I am a humanist and an  Armenian. I am less than my own glory, but I cannot fit into glory  either.

I want to tell you that it's truly amazing that all these thoughts  you read in different sources show that the source is one-wisdom-but  the form is varied. And I want to convey to you, dedicating it to my  beloved wife, who recently celebrated her birthday, a formula for  life-a short version and a long one. Some will like the short  version, others perhaps the long one. Live simply, love generously,  care deeply, speak heartily, learn by knowing yourself, believe  without doubt, don't fear death, forgive and don't judge, and follow  your path fearlessly. I've celebrated a milestone here: 21,000 hours  already spent here, and... It's an interesting feeling. Seventy-five  million moments. And suddenly you realize, when you live on this  scale, how differently it all feels-every moment.

As a reminder, a Baku court sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in  prison. On February 5, the same court sentenced 15 more defendants,  including former leaders of the Republic of Artsakh. Five, including  former President Arayik Harutyunyan, received life sentences. The  defendants, both civilian and military, were charged with a total of  2,548 crimes, including "genocide," "slavery," "forced  disappearances," and "financing terrorism."