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City of Glendale Hosts Delegates from Republic of Artsakh for Glendale’s Newest Sister City: Martuni in Republic of Artsakh

Glendale, CA – On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the City of Glendale welcomed a delegation from the Republic of Artsakh to sign the Sister City agreement that establishes the Sister City relationship between the cities of Glendale, California and Martuni in the Republic of Artsakh. The delegation was comprised of Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Mr. Davit Babayan; Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Lernik Hovhannisyan; Permanent Representative of Artsakh to the United States, Mr. Robert Avetisyan; and Advisor to the Foreign Minister of Artsakh, Mr. Sergey Abalyan.

On August 23, 2022, Glendale City Council unanimously approved a resolution establishing a Sister City relationship with the City of Martuni in the Republic of Artsakh. This partnership will allow the two cities to engage in a critical exchange of ideas to further economic stability, cultural preservation, and strong social ties.   

“I believe that now - more than ever - we must show our support for the people of Artsakh. That is why we are excited for what this partnership with the City of Martuni means for the Republic and its people,” said Glendale’s Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. “While we can only begin to imagine the hardships Artsakh has undergone, this collaboration underscores our commitment to strengthening the Artsakh region as well as in anchoring our relationship as Armenians in the diaspora and Armenia alike.”

“On behalf of the entire population of Martuni, I personally thank you for [Glendale’s] cooperation. We are convinced that together we will create horizons of new development and strengthening. Martuni, wounded but full of life, is an inseparable part of universal values with its centuries-old culture and history,” said Martuni’s Mayor Aznavour Saghyan.

The City of Martuni, which consists of majority ethnic Armenians, was a frontline city during the First Artsakh War and is home to nearly 700 war refugees. While primarily an agricultural region, Martuni is home to an Opera House, the Amaras Monastery - which was constructed in the fourth century, and khachkars (carved stone crosses). Recently, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, a free educational program for teens, opened a TUMO box in Martuni – a transportable and fully-equipped mini-TUMO where students can participate in programs and expand their education in their hometown without having to relocate. Martuni will be Glendale’s 10th Sister City and third Armenian Sister City. Other Armenian cities on the list include Ghapan and Gyumri.

For more information about Glendale’s Sister Cities, visit our website.

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