Armenia Fund Declares 2010 ‘The Year of Shushi’

During the early 20th century, the Armenians of Shushi boasted a population of 45,000, seven churches, 22 newspapers and a public theatre. After the liberation of Shushi, many presumed that this history-making province would be reborn, attracting business investment and tourists, generating jobs, and building strong, robust communities. Despite the best of intentions, the rebirth of Shushi was a dream deferred.

Today, the officials of the Shushi and Karabagh government, along with leaders of Armenia Fund, have agreed to put Shushi on the economic map. To stimulate growth in Shushi the government of Karabagh decided to move a number of state institutions such as the Supreme and Appeals Courts from the capital of Stepanakert to Shushi. Constructing the buildings to house these offices and paving roads and streets to reach them, would immediately generate local jobs; but that is only a small step toward the substantive change so desperately needed to save Shushi.

Although the government of Karabagh is prepared to subsidize all such infrastructure projects, its limited budget cannot address all the imperatives for revitalizing Shushi, within a small window of time. This is where the Armenian Diaspora becomes a critical factor in determining the ultimate fate of this legendary region.

“Without jobs, good schools and a place to call home, there is very little incentive to stay in Shushi, which is of great strategic importance to the security of Karabagh,” states Irina Lazarian, executive director of Armenia Fund USA, Eastern Region. “This is why Shushi’s war on poverty must be fought on multiple fronts: housing, health care, education, business and cultural development, not to mention well-functioning institutions that can facilitate growth and progress.”

With funds generated from fall fundraising efforts, culminating with the Thanksgiving Day Telethon, Armenia Fund intends to answer in the affirmative — breaking ground early in the new year to build enough momentum to give the people of Shushi a fresh outlook on their future.

Among the many large and small infrastructure projects slated to begin in 2010, under the leadership of Armenia Fund USA and some of its affiliates, are: construction and renovation of houses and apartments, local town halls and health care hubs; parks and water fountains, cultural and recreational centers. Water pipelines, school heating systems, gymnasiums, school facilities, roads and street repairs also will be underway.