On the morning of Thursday, February 13, 2025, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, high school students of Holy Martyrs Ferahian Armenian School in Encino had the opportunity to view Soldiers of the Land, a documentary film by Ms. Tsvetana Paskaleva focusing on the Artsakh Cause. Following the screening, the students engaged in a meaningful discussion with the filmmaker. Present at the gathering were Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian, Pastor of Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, Mrs. Tamar Tufenkian, and Mrs. Knar Kortoshian, Chancellor of the Western Prelacy of the United States.
The opening remarks were delivered by Lori Kitsinian, a student of Holy Martyrs Ferahian High School, who introduced Ms. Tsvetana Paskaleva and highlighted her distinguished career as an investigative journalist, documentarian, and filmmaker. Ms. Paskaleva, a devoted friend of the Armenian people, shared her personal testimonies and experiences, offering students profound insights into the six-year Artsakh liberation movement, which spanned from 1988 to 1994, and its victorious conclusion. Through her engaging conversation with the students, Ms. Paskaleva brought to life vivid examples from the heroic experiences of the people of Artsakh, reigniting the spirit of those triumphant years.
The gathering concluded with remarks from H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, who emphasized, “Armenian history is a sequence of events marked by both defeats and victories. What matters most is that the Armenian people remain persistent in their existential struggle, never yielding, never weakening, but always striving for victory.” The Prelate noted that the documentary serves as a vital textbook of modern Armenian history and should be made available to future generations, not simply viewed once like any ordinary film.
