Statue of Garo Sassouni, 1918 Revolutionary Leader, Unveiled in Gyumri

Statue of Garo Sassouni is unveiled in Gyumri on Jul. 17

A statue of storied Armenian revolutionary leader Garo Sassouni was unveiled in Gyumri on Friday as a public testament to his contributions to the Armenian Liberation Movement.

In a special ceremony attended by community members and activists, the statue, which stands at the intersection of Proshyan and Karekin Njdeh streets in Gyumri, was unveiled.

Garo Sassouni was a singularly unique public and political figure—a national hero. A lawyer, and historian, he was elected as a member of the Parliament of the First Republic in 1919 and later was appointed as governor of Alexandrapol—present-day Shirak Province—in 1920.

He was one of the founders and leaders of the Armenian Liberation Movement that sought salvation for the Armenian people during the Genocide. From 1914 to 1915, he participated and led the liberation movement in Talin. Later he participated in the crucial battle of Dashtadem fortress, which ultimately resulted in victory at Sardarabad.

Having been appointed Governor of Shirak, he began a merciless fight against corruption. As Inga Avagyan, Director of the “Gumairi Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum,” reported, he put an end to corruption in a short period of time, equally punishing both bribe givers and bribe takers.

The bronze statue that stands at almost eight feet was the work of scultptor Missak Melkonyan.

During the ceremony Friday, Melkonyan explained the statue has three important symbols: the pipe is a symbol of thought and contemplation; the necklace is a symbol of freedom, and the outstretched index finger encapsulates Sassouni’s leadership.

The statue was made possible through the efforts of two benefactors—Ashot Nersisyan, the president of the “Zoravar Sebouh” civic organization, and Ivan Aldhaldjian.

In his remarks, Artashes Shahbazyan, a member of Hamazkayin Central Executive, said that the unveiling event should have much more resonance in Armenia, because Garo Sassouni was a person of stature and a National Hero.

Sassouni led the Armenian Liberation Movement for more than 20 years, participated in state-building efforts, battles, and dedicated his life in the Diaspora to the service of Armenians. Shahbazyan pointed out that Garo Sassouni’s mother, Anna, was a very prominent person in the Sassoun Province in Western Armenia and was, herself, a well-known fedayee.

Also present at the event was one of Garo Sassouni’s students, ARF leader Dikran Jinbashian, who considered himself lucky as one of the last generation of students to have been taught by Garo Sassouni, emphasizing that he owed the great national hero his education in Armenian literature, history and the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.