On February 3, the Culture and Youth Palace of Stepanakert hosted a concert during which Russia-based Armenian benefactor Samvel Karapetyan granted $4,000 in assistance to each of the 230 families of Artsakh with four children.

According to Artsakhpress, in his speech, Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Ara Vardanyan touched upon the strategic importance of the program and particularly stated that this concert is a major event in the context of the “Nation-Army” concept.

“I think Artsakh is the “Nation-Army” since everyone, from a little child to the President is equal and ready to defend our borders. You are protecting the borders of all Armenians, not just Artsakh, and I am very glad that there are people like Samvel Karapetyan who are able to support such major programs and help increase the birth rate,” Vardanyan said.

In his speech, representative of Tashir Group Narek Karapetyan, who was attending the event, stated that, for the most part, Artsakh has two objectives-to liberate the homeland and lay down the roots. “Our trace will remain on this land for hundreds of years. All Armenians will stand by our brothers’ side and do their best to support them. Artsakh will always be in our focus. The people here have a higher sense of responsibility when it comes to having large families. Social responsibility is very important, and it is also very important to ensure the future of your child. This is why Samvel Karapetyan decided to help those families in some way so that they know that there is additional help,” Karapetyan said, adding that the benefactor will carry out all of his programs in Artsakh through Hayastan All-Armenian Fund from now on.

Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Rehabilitation of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Avanesyan stated that, in spite of the existing problems, the government of Artsakh allocates tens of billions of Armenian drams in order to carry out social programs that will help implement the programs stated in the political platform of the President (improvement of demographic situation, ensuring of conditions required for growth of population and raising worthy citizens for the society).

“Family and home are more cherished for us Armenians since they have served as a unique environment for the preservation of our national values and traditions for centuries and an environment in which we have raised our children who maintain their heritage with care and transmit it to the next generations. This environment has also been the major guarantee of the eternity of our nation. It is clear that the welfare of every family lies at the core of the society’s welfare, and a state is strong with its strong, healthy and sustainable families.

Our renowned compatriots also make their worthy contributions to the solutions to these problems. About two-and-a-half years ago, upon the recommendation of the President of the Republic Bako Sahakyan, in addition to several other charity programs, President of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan and Tashir Charitable Foundation launched the program to provide $4,000 in financial assistance to families with a fourth child. The main goal is to stimulate families to have many children,” Avanesyan stated, adding that, whereas there used to be 165 children who were the fourth child in their families in Artsakh between 2012 and 2015, after the launch of the program, 213 children were the fourth children in 2016, and in 2017 – 230.

During the event, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund also raffled for 3 Chevrolets. The first winner of the raffle was the family of Armen and Narine Arushanyan from Stepanakert. Expressing gratitude to the benefactors, Arushanyan said this program is a great support to multi-member families in Artsakh.

“We will use the funds to obtain a more comfortable apartment. The car raffle was a surprise. I want this to be exciting for other Armenian families in the future,” Arushanyan said.

The second winner was the family of Karen and Yelena Poghosyan from the Mets Shen village of Martakert region, and the third was the family of Vanik and Alina Hayrapetyan from the New Maragha village of Martakert region.

The concert featured performances by singer, showman, comedian and actor Aram MP3 (Aram Sargsyan).

Among the attendees were President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, other state officials, guests and others.