Armenian President Armen Sarkissian visited the village of Chinari today during his tour of the country’s Tavoush Province, the site of recent fighting along the Azerbaijani border.

Sarkissian toured the village school, that was severely damaged during the shelling.

According to a statement released by the Presidential Office, Armen Sarkissian’s sons Hayk and Vardan donated funds to buy new tables, chairs and cabinets for the school, as well as computer equipment.

The computers are part of a program that seeks to connect children in Artsakh with their counterparts in Armenia and the diaspora and to link schools in Armenia and the diaspora.

Sarkissian met with schoolchildren and the village’s administrative and church leaders.

Sarkissian noted that the people who live in this beautiful natural environment have much deeper roots than many others.

"It's a paradise here. People live in a paradise, and many of our compatriots are not aware that paradise is close by," said Sarkissian, urging others to come and visit the area because patriotism is not only protecting the borders of the homeland, but also recognizing the homeland.

 "There is a huge educational wonderland in this paradise, the history and heritage of our people,” he said.

In this context, Sarkissian presented his formula for Armenian success, which is quite clear.

"We will win if we are all together, united in Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora. I am extremely optimistic. I am sure we will overcome all the difficulties with our unity. Our wise men have regularly talked about this. We memorize poems about our national unity at school. However, I think that beyond reciting them, knowing, realizing, analyzing them, there is also the matter of just feeling that the Armenian next to you is your brother or sister. Then no one can beat you in this life,” Sarkissian said.

Armenian Apostolic Church Tavoush Primate Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan and Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan accompanied the president on his tour of Chinari.