Providence, R.I. becomes Friendship City with Stepanakert

Providence City Hall flying the Armenian flag in 2016

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On September 7, four members of the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island were present as the Providence City Council unanimously passed a Friendship City Agreement with Stepanakert, Artsakh. This outcome was thanks in large part to the efforts of Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Providence has a long history of championing the Armenian cause, ever since Armenians first arrived in Rhode Island’s capital city, becoming a significant part of the fabric of the Smith Hill neighborhood near the State House just prior to 1900. The city of Providence is also home to two of the three Armenian churches of R.I., in addition to several Armenian sites, including the Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial monument, Armenian Heritage Park, Donigian Park, the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island, the Harry Kizirian Elementary School, the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, the Harry Kizirian United States Post Office, Kalagian and Sarkisian Memorial Square, John Nazarian Center for Performing Arts and Zvart Avedisian Onanian School of Nursing (both at Rhode Island College), and a number of business establishments.

Providence joins four other cities and towns in Rhode Island that have established friendship city agreements with cities in Artsakh, and more will be added to the list soon.

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ANC of Rhode Island

The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) has worked tirelessly for decades advocating for all issues of concern to Armenians in Rhode Island, the United States, Armenia and Artsakh. The ANC-RI is responsible for the Armenian flag flying at the RI State House and at every city and town in the state on April 24 each year. Additionally, the ANC-RI holds flag raising ceremonies annually in North Providence and Cranston, where local Armenian residents are honored. The ANC-RI also worked with the RI House of Representatives to be the first government body in the world to officially recognize Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).