On September 16, the RA Ministry of Diaspora hosted a press conference devoted to the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Musaler Battle.

The speakers were RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan, chairperson of the Central Body for the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Musaler Battle Yesayi Havatian (Anjar, Lebanon), representative of the youth wing of the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union Gabriel Panosian and President of the Armenia Chapter of the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union Berge Ghazarian.

The RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora mentioned that Armenia is marking the 100^th anniversary of the Musaler Battle at the state level, alongside the events being held by the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union.

Srapionyan talked about the role and significance of the battle, mentioning that the Armenians of Musaler have achieved success, created compatriotic unions, maintain the will and spirit of their fathers and forefathers and preserve the national customs and traditions in different parts of the world.

President of the Armenia Chapter of the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union Berge Ghazarian presented the schedule of events that began with a visit to the tomb of Commander Yesayi Yaghubian on September 15. He particularly attached importance to the conference devoted to the Musaler Battle to be held at Yerevan State University (17 September), the opening of a temporary exhibition dedicated to the Musaler Battle and the lifestyles of the Armenians of Musaler at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (18 September), the march of 40 young Armenians from Shahumyan Square of Yerevan to the Musaler Memorial (20 September at 19:00) and other events.

Chairperson of the Central Body for the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Musaler Battle Yesayi Havatian talked about the activities that the chapters of the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union carry out in different countries around the world and particularly touched upon the 18 events that have already been held in Lebanon. Yesayi Havatian also mentioned that those events were held with the participation of hundreds of Armenians and that 66 pilgrims would soon be arriving in Armenia to participate in the march from Yerevan to the Musaler Memorial (20 September) and other events.

The chairperson of the Central Body for the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Musaler Battle expressed gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora for its ongoing support. “The RA Minister of Diaspora is especially generous to our Union and all the Armenians of Anjar who stand united as one as they celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the heroic battle,” he added.

Representative of the youth wing of the “Musaler” Compatriotic Union Gabriel Panosian called on everyone to participate in the march, attend the grand ceremony of preparing the Armenian harisa in Musaler village and participate in the Armenian round-dance. Panosian added that a performance of Franz Werfel’s novel “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh” would be held as part of the events at Hakob Paronyan State Musical Comedy Theater on September 20.

At the end, the speakers answered journalists’ questions.