Movses Gorgisyan
Wednesday, January 13, 2021Movses Gorgisyan (3 December 1961 – 19 January 1990) was an Armenian politician and national hero, one of the leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh movement. He was one of the founders of the Independence Army of Armenia. Widely known for his speeches on the independence of Armenia, he was also an active advocate of Artsakh's independence campaign.
Born in Yerevan, Gorgisyan graduated from the Armenian State Pedagogical University's Department of Culture in 1984, with the qualification of a stage director and producer. In 1986-1987 he worked at the Theatre of Goris. In 1987, he joined the national movement, becoming a member of the Union for National Self-Determination.
Gorgisyan led the demonstrations for independence in Yerevan which led to him being jailed in 1988. He also was an editor of the Armenian edition of Glasnost magazine. Gorgisyan was the first person to hoist Armenia's tricolor flag on 28 May 1988 for the first time. This was the same day the First Republic of Armenia was founded 70 years prior.
He was killed during a battle in Yeraskh near the border villages in Ararat region and was buried at Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex. Gorgisyan posthumously received the highest title in Armenia, the National Hero of Armenia award.