Armenia marked 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake

PanARMENIAN.Net - On December 7, Armenia marked the 20th anniversary of the devastating 1988 earthquake that leveled the towns of Spitak and Gyumri and left 25 000 people dead, 100 000 wounded and 500 000 homeless.



President Serzh Sargsyan, former President Robert Kocharian, member of Russia's Federation Council and co-chair of the Armenia-Russian committee on interparliamentary cooperation Nikolay Ryzhkov unveiled a monument to the victims in the northern town of Gyumri.



"Today, we are unveiling a memorial to innocent victims. This monument is symbolizing the best human features: philanthropy and the ability to extend a helping hand. The Armenian people will never forget it. This monument shows vulnerability of people on the one hand, and the capability to resist the disaster, on the other hand. It combines pain and belief," President Sargsyan said during the ceremony.



A liturgy in commemoration of the innocent victims was also chanted in Gyumri.