Sos Sargsyan suggests changing ‘Stepanavan’ into ‘Lore’

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony of the fully renovated Palace of Culture in Armenia’s northern town of Stepanavan in Lori marz (province).

The establishement has been named after the late Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.

The red ribbon was cut by Stepanavan’s Mayor Sargis Gharaqeshishyan and renowned Armenian veteran film and theatre actor Sos Sargsyan.

Sos Sargsyan, 70, was born and grew up in Lori province.

Founded in 1937 Stepanavan’s Palace of Culture has hosted on its stage such giants of Armenian theater as Vahram Papazyan, Hrachya Nersisyan, Hrachya Ghaplanyan, Sos Sargsyan and others.

The 1988 devastating eathquake turned the Palace of Culture into ruins together with other buildings in Stepanavan. But authorities started renovating the building in 2006.

“I am touched as much as you are, I am glad as much as you are. This building is of great significance to Stepanavan,” Sos Sargsyan said as he addressed the public of his home province.

Further he drew President Serzh Sargsyan’s attention to the problems the town is facing: Streets in Stepanavan are not in good condition, the problem of drinking water is not solved either.

Citing the fact that Stepan Shahumyan – the person the town was named after – was not born in Stepanavan but rather married a woman from there, Sos Sargsyan suggested changing the town’s name into Lore – the medieval version of Stepanavan’s name.

“Stepan Shahumyan was a bride-groom in this town. He came here only for about three times,” said he.