Auditorium named after National Hero Tatul Krpeyan reopened at YSU

Tatul Krpeyan studied at YSU Faculty of History from 1987 to 1990 and joined the Armenian national liberation movement in his fourth year. Dean of the Faculty of History, Mkhitar Gabrielyan, noted that on April 21, Tatul Krpeyan would have turned 60.

"He lived only 26 years, but those 26 years represent an exceptional example of patriotism, dedication, and, most importantly, responsibility. Without that sense of responsibility, patriotism and devotion would remain mere words. It was this responsibility that took 25–26-year-old Tatul Krpeyan to Getashen and made him the commander of the defense battle of Getashen and Martunashen. That same responsibility compelled him to save the lives of thousands of residents," said the dean, adding that Tatul Krpeyan’s spiritual presence continues to inspire a sense of responsibility in all. 

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized that the newly renovated auditorium named after Tatul Krpeyan should also offer renewed significance.

"Tatul Krpeyan was a remarkable example of patriotism and one of the first to go to Getashen, where he took on the mission of teaching history and geography to the local youth. However, further developments forced him to take up arms and move from the classroom to the battlefield," the rector said.

He underlined that regardless of the times or shifts in values, there remains a "red line" that must never be crossed: "That red line is patriotism—responsibility toward the homeland. Patriotism is when each person does their duty without grand declarations."

The rector also highlighted the importance of the collaboration with Armenia Wine Company, noting that the company also contributed to the design of the new building for YSU STEM High School. He expressed hope that the collaboration would continue. 

In this context, he pointed out that the university will organize YSU Alumni Forum on May 15 and 16, which will be open to all graduates.

"The forum will serve as a strong platform to connect the older generation with the new. Young participants will have the opportunity to learn from the achievements of earlier generations and explore new avenues for collaboration. YSU alumnus, Director of Armenia Wine, and Tatul Krpeyan’s fellow student, Vahagn Mkrtchyan, is a vivid example of what a university graduate should embody."

Vahagn Mkrtchyan emphasized that Tatul Krpeyan was among those who sacrificed their lives for the homeland and national causes, guided by the motto: "Death, unanticipated, is death; death, anticipated, is immortality."

"Every Armenian must realize that their work serves first and foremost themselves, their family, and their nation. The opening of this auditorium symbolizes this very idea: it is here that new generations must be educated, and it is in such spaces that our future is forged," he said.

Tatul Krpeyan’s daughter, Aspram Krpeyan, recalled one of her father's heroic acts and recounted the circumstances of his death.

"On April 30, 1991, the Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership jointly carried out a state-sponsored, terrorist, and genocidal operation against the Armenian villages of Martunashen and Getashen in Northern Artsakh. As the commander and organizer of Getashen's defense, Tatul Krpeyan performed an unprecedented act of heroism that day—using a grenade with the pin pulled, he managed to take 19 Soviet soldiers hostage, including Colonel Mashkov, one of the operation's leaders. He did so to exchange them for nearly sixty Armenian civilians taken hostage earlier, and to pressure the command to halt the terror."

She added that while entering negotiations, Tatul Krpeyan and his comrades were killed by Azerbaijani gunfire.

"Thanks to Tatul Krpeyan’s selfless act, nearly 4,000 Armenians were saved from extermination, with minimal human losses," she concluded. 

It is worth noting that in September 1996, by պresidential decree, Tatul Krpeyan was posthumously awarded the title of National Hero of Armenia and the Order of the Motherland for his outstanding service to the homeland.