ARTSAKH – THE GREEN LIGHT TO THE IDENTITY OF THE TALYSH

Interview with Director of “Voice of Talishstan” radio-station, Yerevan State University Iranian Studies Department teacher Garnick Gevorgyan

– Talysh are an Iranian nation, with them we, Armenians have close historical and cultural links. Talysh are the only natural bridge between Armenian-speaking and Iranian-speaking population, separating North-Arax and South-Arax Turkic mass.

Unfortunately, due to the “nation-building” ongoing policy of the Azerbaijan Republic’s, Talysh people today face a serious threat of assimilation. Our task is to support the neighboring people, so he keeps the national identity, its unique culture and language… Talysh radio has now become not only a means of propaganda of history and culture of the people, but also has become a link between living at home and in different parts of the world Talysh. Armenian people are deeply aware of the fate of the people who do not have a state, which is facing the danger of assimilation, share their concerns, sympathize their freedom-loving dreams and aspirations… That’s why the people of Artsakh stretched a hand of friendship to Talysh who have been in the grip of Turkification.

Our goal is to establish solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the region, evidence of that – the Armenian-Talysh friendship. Our natural allies are too sensitive to the Artsakh issue and their future steps in some measure plan in accordance with the preservation of the independence of Artsakh and its recognition.

ALICE ALAVERDYAN