Samvel Shahramanyan, an accidental figure

 Vaհe H Apelian

Samvel Shahramanyan is an accidental figure in Armenian history who came onto the Armenian history’s stage as a leader Armenia could not afford. I note this as a conclusion because I followed Samvel Shahramanyan as best as any Diaspora Armenian interested in Armenia could have at this historical junction.

I followed Samvel Shahramanyan’s election as president of Artskah, his Inaugural speech in Artsakh National Assembly, his complete reversal from the speech he gave and signing the liquidation of the Republic of Artsakh, his escort to Armenia by Russian forces 

Here is a summary in chronological order, as to what transpired during those fateful 52 days, from August 7 to September 28, 2023 in Artsakh and then up to May 17,2025 in Armenia.

August 7, 2023, Tavit Ishkanian was elected speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly.

September 1, 2023, Arayik Harutyunyan, the popularly elected president, resigned.

September 10, 2023 Samvel Shahramanyan was elected president by the Artsakh national assembly.

September 11, 2023, Samvel Shahramanyan gave his presidential inaugural speech to the national assembly. Armenian pundits in the Diaspora welcomed the change of Artsakh governance and one of its most ardent analysts likened it, in ARF newspapers, to a snow ball that will continue rolling down and take over or roll over Yerevan.

September 17 -20, 2023, in complete reversal to his presidential inaugural speech, Samvel Shahramanyan signed the Artsakh capitulation and the exodus of the Armenians began, abandoning historic Artsakh that ceased to have its native Armenian inhabitants it had throughout history.

In Armenia I followed his interview on Artsakh television station in Armenia, his meeting the Armenian government officials that he will not meddle in politics in Armenia. And finally, on May 17, 2025, I followed him willingly accept to act as the president of Republic of Artsakh in Armenia, the same republic he abolished and side with the opposition throwing the gauntlet at the government of Armenia

I had named my blog as “Samvel Shahramanyan, a veritable enigma,” But I concluded that he is not an enigma. He simply is an accidental figure who was thrown, on his own will, onto the modern Armenian history, when Armenian history could not afford to have him or anyone else like him.  

I remain reminded of Prof. Z.S. Andrew Demirdjian, who titled an article he wrote, “ABANDONING ARTSAKH WILL HAUNT ARMENIANS FOR EVER”. 

For those interest to read further, I attached below the blogs I wrote about Samvel Shahramanyan.

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1.  Samvel Shahramanyan: Inauqural speech 

l (Sunday, September 10, 2023)

https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/09/lachin-corridor-test-of-wills.html 

2. From Arayik Harutyunyan to Samvel Shahramanyan: What changed?: (Sunday, September 10, 2023)

 https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/09/from-arayik-to-savel-what-changed.html

3. Samvel Sharamanyan: Nothing of this sort has happened in our tortured history: (Wednesday October 11, 2023)

 https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/10/nothing-of-this-sort-has-happened-in.html

4. Shahramanyan: An accidental figure: (Monday November 6, 2023)

 https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/11/an-accidental-figure.html

 

5. Samvel Shahramnayan: An Unusual meeting with Civil Contract representatives:  (November 28, 2023)

https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/11/an-unusual-meeting-samvel-shahramanyan.html

 

6. Samvel Sharamanyan: One free in Yerevan and 8 imprisoned in Baku, (Thursday, January 16, 2025)

 https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2025/01/one-free-in-yerevan-and-8-imprisoned-in.html

 

6. Samvel Shahramanyan:  Recalling Artsakh history: Remembering Samvel Shahramanyan's inaugural speech 

(Friday January 10, 2025)

 https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2025/01/recalling-history-remembering-samvel_10.html

7. Samvel Shahramanyan throws the gauntlet   Recalling Artsakh history:  

(Saturday April 19, 2025). https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2025/04/samvel-shahramanyan-throws-gauntlet_19.html