For Immediate Release ~ September 19, 2011
Yerevan, Armenia – With a jubilant ceremony held on September 17, Armenia Fund marked the opening of the reconstructed Proshyan Street in Shushi, Artsakh. The renovation project, the latest milestone in the ongoing development of the historic city, was financed by the fund’s Montreal, Canada, affiliate.
The opening ceremony was attended by several officials including Arayik Harutyunyan, prime minister of Artsakh; Karen Shahramanyan, minister of Urban Development; Kajik Khachatryan, mayor of Shushi; Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund; Ararat Khlghatyan, deputy director of the fund; and Antranik Shirinian, chairman of the fund’s Montreal affiliate. Also present at the event were longtime fund benefactor Hacop Baghdassarian and his wife; guests from Montreal, Armenia, and Artsakh; as well as numerous Shushi residents.
Proshyan Street is a seven-meter-wide and 252-meter-long stretch that connects Shushi’s main thoroughfare, Ghazanchetsots Street, with Hakhumyan Street. Renovations completed along Proshyan street include a new storm drain as well as new lighting and traffic signs.
Addressing the attendees during the opening ceremony, Antranik Shirinian said, “I salute you all on behalf of the Armenia Fund’s affiliate office in Montreal, on behalf of our brothers and sisters. Montreal may be a world away, yet Artsakh has always lived in the hearts of Montreal’s Armenians. Ever since the establishment of the fund, the Armenian community of Montreal has contributed to the rebirth of Artsakh. May Mother Armenia, our Artsakh, our Shushi, live forever. Long live the entire Armenian nation, in Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspora.”
To date Armenia Fund has rebuilt close to 2.3 kilometers of roads in Shushi.
