Necessary to Draw Conclusions from the Lessons of the Past: Serzh Sargsyan

Former President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Republic Day.

“Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the occasion of Republic Day. Among the state holidays that glorify our May victories, this day holds a unique significance and special meaning for the Armenian people. In 1918, our people—military, builders, intellectuals, and clergy—fought against the regular Turkish army in Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, and Qarakilisa with unequal forces, giving their all in a life-and-death struggle to halt the advance of the Turkish invaders. During the heroic battles of May, the continuously ringing bells of the Mother Cathedral served as a call to arms and a rallying cry for the faithful children of the nation. This was an existential struggle, where the Armenian people could rely only on their own strength. This is one of the most important lessons from our history.

“No one is concerned about Armenians with the intention of providing tangible assistance. We are alone and must rely solely on ourselves, both to defend the front and to establish order within the country,” wrote one of the brightest figures in our history and one of the founders of the First Republic, Aram Manukyan, just months before the threat of Turkish invasion became apparent.

History teaches us once again that we must first rely on our own strength, not recklessly weaken our forces within the country, sow discord, or draw divisive lines, and not diminish national resilience with incompetent governance, especially when the adversary today cynically distorts history and laments not finishing what they started a century ago.

If lessons are not learned from history, it tends to repeat itself. One of those lessons is to appreciate heroes in a timely manner; otherwise, nations are subjected to new trials, which can be fatal.

Many commanders and military figures who led the heroic battles of May 1918 and achieved brilliant victories, such as Tovmas Nazarbekyan, Movses Silikian, Garegin Nzhdeh, and numerous devoted commanders and officers, were declared traitors to the nation after the revolution, persecuted by their own country’s authorities, executed, or spent their last years in prisons and exiles. Certainly, time puts everything in its place; today’s generations are educated by the example of those heroes of the May victories, their names celebrated and blessed during state holidays. However, they did not receive the honor they deserved during their lifetimes, and that was yet another great mistake.

We should not rely solely on the most just time. It is essential to draw conclusions from the lessons of the past to avoid repeating previous mistakes.

Nearly a century ago during these May days, the Armenian people not only saved themselves from extermination but also restored independence in a small part of their historical homeland. Just three years prior, our people, subjected to genocide by Ottoman Turkey in Western Armenia and having faced numerous inhuman deprivations and sufferings throughout their history, reaffirmed their will to live. With the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia, after centuries of losing statehood in their millennia-old history, they effectively announced that no one would threaten a people with organized armies, organized state structures, unity, and a spirit to fight with genocide again.

The May victories were undoubtedly made possible through the heroic struggle of devoted individuals committed to the homeland, their great faith in the salvation and future of Armenia, and their national unity.

In yet another difficult phase of history, the Armenian people, who have made their journey over the millennia unstoppable, claimed their right to live and create. Exhausted from war and facing numerous problems, just one year later, in May 1919, the Council of Ministers made a decision to establish a university in the capital, Yerevan. Is this not characteristic of our people?

Everlasting glory to those who restored Armenian independence, the national and state figures who selflessly established the First Republic. Let us be worthy of the heroism of our heroic ancestors and their immortal memory.

Once again, congratulating all of you on Republic Day, I wish everyone peaceful work, a sense of responsibility befitting a citizen of the state, a high national consciousness, and dedication to our national goals. Long live the Republic of Armenia! Glory to the Armenian people!”