On May 9, 1992 BBC, Radio-Canada and NBC news channels broadly reported that Armenian forces captured Shushi and pushed away Azeri forces in Nagorno Karabagh region. On that blessed morning, the Liberation of Shushi, the spiritual, cultural and educational heartland of the Republic of Artsakh was achieved through the courage, dedication and sanctity of Armenian people.

 

“Wedding in the Mountains” was the name of the operation given by an Armenian soldier who actively participated in the war, but did not live to enjoy the defining moment of history of the Liberation of Shushi. This memory was kept alive and now, the Primate of the Armenian Church Bishop Bagrat Galstanian carried with him the account of the Armenian soldier, who died during the Liberation of Shushi, and was able to share the story with the members under his pastoral care in Canada.  The faithful in Canada heard a report on the heroic liberation of Shushi to their great joy, sense of pride and victory. That message heard from the efforts of the soldiers on the field was firm and clear, “we want to live in freedom with peace with dignity.”

 

“Wedding in the Mountains” musical was initiated by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate under the auspices of Mr. Armen Yeganyan, Ambassador of Armenia to Canada and performed in presence of Mr. Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of Artsakh to USA and Canada.

 

On this unique occasion, world renowned Armenian singers Anush and Inga Arshakyan, two sisters uniquely interpreted national, patriotic, folkloric Armenian songs.  In Montreal, local Canadian Armenian artists Arthur Apkarian, Alexan Haroutyiounian, Sandra Afeyan and Garo Nichanian participated in the program with “Garmir, Gabouyd, Dsziranagouyn” song. The Komitas Choir of the Cathedral led by Maestro Deacon Varuzhan Margaryan enriched the program chanting victorious songs that tell about the heroic acts of Armenian men and women. During the two nights, on April 28 and 29, 2012 at Salle Claude Champagne the Garni Dance Ensemble directed by Ludvik Pulghataryan participated in this musical event.

 

In Toronto, more than 1200 community members gathered at The Global Kingdom Ministry Hall. As expected, Anush and Inga Arshakyan sisters’ performance was magical and Sassoon dance group of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church added a new touch to the event. This event was jointly organized by the Canadian Armenian Association for the Performing Arts (CAAPA) a cultural association of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Canadian Diocese and the Armenian Association of Toronto.

In Vancouver, the concert was held on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Gateway Theater and was a wonderful opportunity for Vancouver Armenian community to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Liberation of Shushi.

Our thanks and appreciations go to each and every proud Canadian Armenian who attended the events in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver and was able to communicate the message of our heroes.

Big thanks to the members of the organizing committees, participants and performers who secured the success of these events. Finally, our gratitude to musician and composer Armen Martirosyan for his significant contribution to this musical and our respects  to Primate Bagrat Galstanian for initiating the 20th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of Shushi in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.