On December 7, 2014, the Kazakh city of Almaty hosted a commemoration ceremony during which the members of the local Armenian community expressed their gratitude to those who stood by the side of the Armenians and extended a helping hand during the days following the devastating Spitak Earthquake. In relation to this, President of the “Union of Armenians of Kazakhstan” NGO E. Varderesyan had submitted a motion to grant awards to those who created a train to transport sanitary materials and medical supplies from Kazakhstan to Armenia in order to provide humanitarian assistance during the days of the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, as well as to the active members of the medical staff. The Department of Armenian Communities of CIS countries at the RA Ministry of Diaspora had also consulted with RA Ambassador to Kazakhstan A. Sahakyan in relation to the issue.

On December 6, the delegation of the RA Ministry of Diaspora led by RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan paid a visit to Almaty to participate in the commemoration ceremony dedicated to the victims of the 1988 Spitak Earthquake and grant awards to the people on the “Kazakhstan” train transporting sanitary materials and medical supplies, the people who provided medical assistance to the earthquake-devastated Armenians and who provided invaluable services to the fraternal Armenian people at that catastrophic moment. Among the delegates were Head of the Department of Relations with Armenian Communities of the CIS countries Tevos Nersisyan, Deputy of the National Assembly, Merited Artist of the Republic of Armenia Shushan Petrosyan and singer Arsen Grigoryan (Mro).

Greeting the gathered and conveying RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan’s greetings and good wishes, Srapionyan said it’s horrible to even think what can happen to our small planet without humanitarianism and compassion, or without self-sacrifice and a heartfelt attitude. It was those virtues that guided the authorities of Kazakhstan, as well as the creators and crew of the “Kazakhstan” train carrying sanitary materials and medical supplies. They were the first to respond to the call of Armenians devastated by the natural disaster during the days of the horrible earthquake in 1988 and who carried out different kinds of charity acts to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims through the provision of medical services for the citizens of Spitak.

Humanitarianism and benevolence recognize neither time nor geographical boundaries. Today, 26 years after the disaster, we have come to express the deep gratitude of the Armenian people to you for standing by our side at that catastrophic moment, healing our wounds, mitigating our pain and, last but not least, for your big heart and soul. We bow in front of you and express our respect to you all.”

Serzh Srapionyan handed the Certificates of Appreciation of the RA President and Prime Minister, the Medals of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, as well as the certificates and mementos of the Ministry of Health and the municipalities of Spitak and Gyumri over to 45 doctors and members on the “Kazakhstan” train transporting sanitary materials and medical supplies.

Tevos Nersisyan, Shushan Petrosyan and the leaders of Armenian community organizations from different regions of Kazakhstan greeted the gathered, after which the audience enjoyed performances of Armenian songs and gave warm rounds of applause.

“It’s a great honor for me to receive gifts from the government of a nation that is known for individuals such as Komitas and Aznavour. I am the best friend and great fan of your nation of talented individuals,” said Talapkali Izmukhambetov, who served as Minister of Health of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Kazakhstan between the years of 1987 and 1991.

In their speeches, the attendees mentioned that they are especially inspired by the fact that the members of the Armenian community of Almaty gathered around the “Masis” Center established by famous Kazakh-Armenian businessman Ernest Varderesyan because the creation of such organizations helps disseminate Armenian culture and deepen the Armenian-Kazakh friendship. They expressed confidence that the Kazakh-Armenian community would continue to use its scientific, cultural, spiritual and educational potential for preservation of the Armenian identity and for the Armenian-Kazakh friendship that has stood the test of time.