On February 25 the “Hayartun” educational, cultural and youth center celebrated 150^th birth anniversary of Armenian great commander Andranik Ozanyan – national hero and the leader of Armenian national liberation movement. Many people of different ages gathered in Calouste Gulbenkian hall to pay their respects and to praise the deeds of the hajduk.

In the opening speech, the director of the Cultural department, Levon Chidilyan, paid tribute to the memory of the glorious son of Armenian nation and congratulated everyone on the occasion of Andranik Ozanyan’s birthday. The commander was ranked among the heroes of Bulgarian, Greek, Russian and other nations, thanks to his heroic exploits. He was awarded with an Order of St. George of IV class and Cross of St. George of IV and III classes, Order of St. Stanislaus of II class
with Swords and Order of St. Vladimir of IV class.

The participants watched a documentary “Andranik Ozanyan” filmed by the Public Television Company of Armenia. It was concluded with the lecture of historian Enok Tadevosyan about the life and exploits of this unconquerable hero. Turkish and Kurdish people respected him and used to call him Andranik Pasha.

His people were always in the first place for the commander. The idea of liberation of his nation became the life goal, which was not totally achieved.

Poetess and translator, Anahit Bostanjyan remembered the words of her grandfather, who served with Andranik Ozanyan, about the commander and read the poemdedicated to Andranik, written by Makvala Gonashvili and translated into Armenian and Georgian.

In his closing speech priest Ter-Narek Ghushchyan appreciated highly the event dedicated to the national hero, saying, “It is important to get inspired by their (national heroes) devotion”. “It is easy to assimilate, but it is hard to stay Armenian in a foreign land”, he said. Father reminded of the necessity to raise a patriotic generation following the example of hajduk-leaders Commander Andranik, Garegin Nzhdeh, Dro and heroes of Artsakh Liberation War.

Armenian people demonstrated its love and respect to the great commander through songs and poems. Liza Torosyan read the poems, and the songs were performed by Henrikh Petrosyan togetherwith “Nerses Shnorhali” youth song ensemble (teacher Maria Abulyan), accompanied by the pianist Karen Mirzoyan.