Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Shirak marz

President Serzh Sargsyan conducted today a working visit to Shirak marz. In Gyumri, the President attended the opening of the Oktet musical school n. 6 named after Azat Shishian. He toured the renovated premise of the school, familiarized with the conducted works, was present at the concert performed by the students of the school and participated at the symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the schoolyard.

The school, which was built in 1976, was devastated during the 1988 earthquake. In 1990, the educational process was resumed in a small cottage. The school was rebuilt in 2012-2013 jointly by the Mediamax media company, Fund for Armenian Relief, and Do Something program in the framework of the Rock Helps Armenia project. The project of the school reconstruction was supported by the main sponsor Mardigian Family Foundation, world famous rock-musicians Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi, Vivacell-MTS and many other contributors, including the government of Armenia, benefactors, and a number of private companies.

Afterwards, the President visited Aragats Boulevard in Guymri, where he was familiarized with the works for the capital overhaul of the boulevard. The President was reported that Aragats Boulevard constructed in 1960-s, which connects the Victory Avenue to the Vardanants Square, was not renovated since the 1988 earthquake and until 2012. In June-November 2012 and partly in 2013, extensive reconstruction works have been done through the allocations of the Gyumri budget.

In Gyumri, Serzh Sargsyan visited also the Cross-stone Square located next to the Sourb Amenaprkich Church, where he was present at the Arts and Crafts Festival conducted on September 19-22 in the framework of the “Gyumri 2013: The CIS Cultural Capital” program. Later, at the Vardanants Square, he observed the first Art-Expo international exhibition. The President visited also the Sourb Amenaprkich Church and observed reconstruction works conducted there.

At the conclusion of his working visit to Shirak marz, the President held a meeting at the Gyumri City Hall, dedicated to the city’s development programs, accomplished works, including state sponsored housing program in the disaster zone, and existing problems. Underscoring that state assistance in the housing and other areas in Shirak marz, including Gyumri will continue, the President at the same time stressed the importance of the active work of the local authorities in the resolution of the existing problems and in the implementation of the development programs. The Head of Shirak marz administration Felix Tsolakian, Minister of Urban Development Samvel Tadevossian, and Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balassanian made reports. The meeting was attended also by the National Assembly members representing Shirak marz, officials from the Presidential Administration, Shirak marz administration, and Gyumri City Hall. The President responded to the pertinent questions raised by the participants of the meeting and gave corresponding instructions.