Saturday, 13 August 2011
I am often asked what the Armenian World looks like: here it is in front of you.
Dear President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,
Your Eminence,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am warmly greeting the participants of the 5th Pan-Armenian Games and all our compatriots.
It is a great honor for me to welcome you on this historic day.
The holding of Pan-Armenian Games has turned into a real event for our nation since they teach us to celebrate victories.
Armenians all over the world will be following your performances over the next couple of days: everybody will enjoy your sporting achievements.
These games are unique in that there are no losers and outsiders as the tournament is the pledge of our unity and real evidence.
It is symbolic that the event is held ahead of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s and Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence, bringing together in Homeland thousands of our sons from around the globe.
I am often asked what the Armenian World looks like.
Here it is in front of you, with its vast geographical coverage from Australia to Canada, South America and the Middle East. The Armenian World is rallied here under a shared identity and common objectives. I am convinced that the Pan-Armenian Games provide a powerful tool for strengthening and renewing the Armenian identity.
Our identity is what has been bringing you back to Homeland for some 12 years now since the first games were launched.
Dear athletes,
Each of you is strong, but together you are invincible.
Each of you is set to win, but let us first answer the question what the victory is. In my opinion, victory implies our unity: we cannot be defeated, when we are united.
This is evidenced by these games which are also called as Pan-Armenian Olympic Games. I am sure that by the time the event is over you will have achievements greater than the merely sporting ones.
I wish you every success and all the best.
God save us and glory to the Armenian nation!
* * *
Dear compatriots!
I declare the 5th Pan-Armenian Games open.
