Ataman Mayis Mirzoyan: “We dream to unite all Cossacks of the Caucasus!”

The Armenian-Russian Cossack Association actively works in Armenia. Where from the Cossacks appeared in the country, how many of them, what tasks put the Cossack associations before themselves? The main ataman of the Armenian-Russian Cossack Association, the Cossack general Mayis Davidovich Mirzoyan told us about it:

- The Armenian-Russian Cossack Association was created on January 27, 2009. Our purpose is to unite the citizens as of Armenia, so Russia in the ranks who have the Cossack roots. We support the compatriots in other countries through friendly Cossack associations, we are engaged in patriotic education of youth, we help also to authorities in case of emergency situations. Among our tasks is the preservation of the Cossack traditions which remain forever, restoration of monuments of our history.

It is impossible to forget about state safety issues, about a preservation of peace in such difficult region as the Caucasus. The Armenian Cossacks actively participated in the Karabakh liberating war. In the Cossack ranks there are a lot of Afghan veterans, participants of the Chechen war. We have a wide military experience and if it is necessary we are always ready to get up in a system!

- And is a lot of Cossacks in Armenia?

- In Armenia there are about 6 000 Cossacks now. It is both the Armenians and Russians. We accept in Cossacks strictly according to the established ritual, we don't distribute a rank simply– all this is strictly regulated.

- Can you tell about Cossacks history in the republic?

- With great pleasure! I understand that it will cause a smile of someone: Where from the Cossacks appeared in Armenia?! I think that you know well a name of Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov who became a considerable figure in the Russian history in the XIX century. And do you know that he is a hereditary Cossack! He organized the Yerevan Cossack regiment and then ordered the Cossack formations in victorious war with Turkey in 1877-1878.

The Armenian Cossack Tigran Daniyelovich Arutinov during this war was made in Cossack captains and awarded then by Sacred Anna's award of I degree and Stanislav of I degree and also the St. George's Weapon. It is possible to call many nice names. Such surnames became well-known: Kalpakchi, Kutaisov, Dorokhov, Kushelev …

The Russian Cossacks protected the Armenians in the Russian-Turkish and Russian-Persian wars and, it is natural that many Armenians became the Cossacks too. They were accepted as good soldiers with pleasure. Traditions remained in centuries. For example, both the Armenian Cossacks and our brothers from Kuban participated in fights for freedom of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Cossack Kuban group had 85 fighters – 14 from them were lost on the ancient Artsakh earth. The son of the ataman was lost also – the father told on a funeral that the son didn't shame the Cossack honour and laid down life for the friend…

In honour of our brothers we put a monument by the forces of Cossacks near the well-known Gandzasar monastery. We never forget the lost Cossacks, often happen at this monument, we assign flowers, hold various events.

- I know that you show consideration for historical heritage very much...

- In Armenia the Cossack posts, churches, monuments, military burials remained. We revere the memory of the Cossacks! So, in 2005, “Monument to the Cossack” was established in the area of Kanaker in Yerevan. Three years later opened the Cossack outpost restored anew under the name “Anipemza” - it is a site of responsibility of Leninakan frontier group.

- The Cossacks serve on border?

- We give young personnel to our frontier guards. About 80 Cossacks went lately to serve in border troops under the contract. Some hundred Cossacks serve in Ararat boundary group. Restoration of traditions of our ancestors can be welcomed only!

- It means, you conduct active work with the youth?

- There are military instructors at our schools as in the Soviet period. So, many military instructors are our Cossacks. They not only give practical knowledge, but also tell about the Russian-Armenian friendship, about the brotherly relations between our people. We were brothers for centuries and will remain from now on!

At schools the Cossacks conduct open lessons of history. We hope very much that the authorities will meet Cossacks and shortly there will be circles “Young Friend of the Frontier Guard” at schools, as well as cadet Cossack classes. We are engaged also in difficult teenagers.

- Does the Armenian-Russian Cossack Association support the communication with diaspora in the Russian cities?

- We created the institute of ambassadorial atamans across all Russia – there where is the Armenian diaspora. Everywhere the Russian and the Armenian Cossacks amicably work. And if there are any problems in the most different areas, ambassadorial atamans help to solve them quickly. Today it is very important! For example, in Volgograd just there was an ambassadorial ataman – local authorities asked us about it. Certainly, we met halfway.

Recently we spoke about cooperation strengthening on the IV World congress of Cossacks devoted to the 200 anniversary of a victory of Russia in Patriotic war of 1812. There were delegates from 40 countries!

In summary, I would like to tell about one more task which Cossacks of Armenia will carry out. We have a purpose for the achievement of which we don't feel sorry for efforts – to unite all Cossacks in the Caucasus! The Cossacks are not only in the southern regions of Russia and Armenia, but also in Georgia, Azerbaijan. The Cossack is the Cossack what nationality he would be!