In Yerevan, the foundation has been laid for the re‑formation of the Stepanakert State Drama Theatre named after Vahram Papazyan. According to the theatre’s official Facebook page, with the cooperation and support of the Union of Theatre Workers of Armenia and the Dialog Organization and their leaders, Hakob Ghazanchyan and Yuri Navoyan, the groundwork has been established in Yerevan for the revival of the theater.
«Good news for theatre‑lovers and especially for the faithful audience of the Artsakh main theatre. Thanks to the efforts and support of the Union of Theatre Workers of Armenia and “Dialog” organisation, led by Hakob Ghazanchyan and Yuri Navoyan, the foundation in Yerevan has been laid for re‑assembling the Stepanakert Vahram Papazyan named Drama Theatre. By the efforts of caring and dedicated people who understand the value of Artsakh’s culture and history, we, a thirteen‑member group, have already resumed our activity and very soon we are preparing to present our first performance for your judgement. We have high hopes that in future we will be able to expand our team by also involving other theatre colleagues.» The post says.
The first performance by the theatre is scheduled for November 12, and is by no means random: it is a work created in the Artsakh dialect, full of the flavour and aroma of Artsakh. The performance is based on the work by Alexander Manasanyan, “Armenian Love Tale of Artsakh or Ara, pa sti pen kini?” (Ար, պա ստի պեն կինի՞).
«Our great desire is to bring you home not with pain and sadness on the wings of memory, but with the expectation of giving you laughter and joy. And for our compatriots here this is a wonderful opportunity to become participants in the flavour and aroma of the Artsakh dialect, to its simple and direct people, their environment and everyday life. Artsakh will live as long as its culture and traditions and those who honour them live,» the post adds.
Note: On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large‑scale military offensive against Artsakh, subjecting the territory to full‑scale mass shelling. The next day, September 20, the authorities of the Artsakh Republic accepted the Russian peacekeepers’ command’s cease‑fire proposal in accordance with Baku’s conditions — including disarmament of the Defence Army and dissolution of the Artsakh Republic. From September 24, forced displacement of more than 100,000 people from Artsakh to Armenia began; according to some data, about 20 Armenians remained in Artsakh. On September 28, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan signed the decree for dissolution of the Artsakh Republic, which entered into force on January 1, 2024. Later — on October 19 — the president issued a second decree recognising as invalid the information placed in the information headquarters about the dissolution of Artsakh.
