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The presentation of the book “The History of the City of Dilijan in the 19th–20th Centuries” was held at the Common Ground Books & Spirits space in Yerevan. It introduces readers to the culture, architecture, economy and other aspects of life of the popular Armenian resort.

The publication was initiated by the Dilijan Community Center (DCC), founded in 2014 by Ruben Vardanyan and his wife Veronika Zonabend. Over the 10 years of its work, the center has implemented 6.3 thousand educational, cultural, sports and leisure projects in Dilijan and neighboring areas, becoming a significant part of the life of the region.

“The book is full of rare photographs and will be a wonderful gift that will not only decorate personal libraries but will also help to increase the level of tourist attractiveness of the city. The book presents 62 short novels, stories, and memories told by 102 Dilijan residents; a total of 111 people worked on the project,” said Project Manager Anna Torosyan.

The first print run was 300 copies, and the volume can be purchased at the Common Ground bookstore of the Center in Yerevan, as well as in Dilijan. In the future, the publication is planned to be translated into English and Russian.

Details: https://golosarmenii.am/article/224381/kniga-o-gorode–sozdannaya-ego-zhitelyami

On the eve of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Ruben Vardanyan’s defenders tried to draw the attention of the international community to the Armenian captives and once again stated the need for their fast release. Before the summit, prayer services were held in Christian churches around the world in support of the social entrepreneur and other former state officials of Artsakh.

Nigerian-American journalist, writer and publisher Dele Olojede, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for his coverage of the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, recently spoke in defense of Ruben Vardanyan. The journalist believes that if the U.S., EU and African countries demand that Azerbaijan release Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenians, Baku will be forced to give in.

In November, Ruben Vardanyan’s eldest son David told The Armenian Report in a large interview how his father helped the residents of Artsakh during the blockade. David also recalled that it is necessary to talk as much as possible about political prisoners in order to increase pressure on Azerbaijan. The article calling on foreign politicians to fight for Ruben’s release was also published in the French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche.

The Skolkovo School of Management did not stand aside. Its students and alumni have launched the “1000 Letters of Support” campaign: flash mob participants want to send 1000 letters with warm words to the founder of their alma mater.

While Ruben remains in captivity, his project “Wings of Tatev” was recognized as the best ropeway in the world for the third time. The ropeway in the Syunik Region won the prestigious international award World Travel Awards 2024. Previously, “Wings of Tatev” has already been recognized as the best ropeway on the planet in 2021 and 2023.

Ruben’s project won the prestigious World Travel Awards 2024 The cable car in Armenia’s Syunik region has beaten competitors from Bolivia, Brazil, Vietnam, Canada, New Zealand, USA and South Africa. Previously, “Wings of Tatev” has already been recognized as the best ropeway on the planet in 2021 and 2023.

World Travel Awards is considered one of the most prestigious international awards in the travel industry. It is often called the Oscars of tourism.

Maria Butenko, director of the Wings of Tatev cable car, emphasized the significance of the award:

“Winning the World Travel Awards once again proves that this project, initiated by Ruben Vardanyan, was correctly conceived, fully serves its purpose, continues to and will continue to benefit Armenia “Wings of Tatev” undoubtedly adds to Armenia’s tourist appeal. Our main task is to familiarize guests with Armenia, especially with its amazing southern region, and to give them truly unforgettable impressions. We hope that this victory will attract many new guests and open up the cultural and natural riches of Tatev to them.”

“Wings of Tatev” was twice included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest reversible passenger cable car in the world (5,752 m) and as the only engineering structure built in 10 months. For 14 years, the ropeway has helped develop tourism in Armenia. “Wings of Tatev” was used by more than 1.3 million people. Thanks to it, every fifth tourist in Armenia visits Tatev.

“It has been the second year since my father has been unable to personally receive this award, as well as to continue his charitable and humanitarian projects, as he is illegally held in a Baku prison on trumped-up charges. I am proud that his projects are making Armenia known all over the world. I am sure that he will realize many more new projects,” commented Ruben Vardanyan’s son David on the results of the award.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/853998.html

With the help of a flash mob, students and graduates of the Skolkovo School of Management want to support Ruben Vardanyan, one of the founders of the business school, who has been in an Azerbaijani prison for more than a year.

The objective of the campaign is to send Ruben 1,000 letters of support. The objective is ambitious in Skolkovo style, but achievable. If you are acquainted with colleagues from other friendly organizations who might support our initiative, please forward this message to them. “We can do a lot!”, the organizers note.

If you want to influence the propmt release of Ruben Vardanyan, please send a letter or email with words of support to one of the following addresses (the recipient of the letters must be Ruben Karlenovich Vardanyan):

1. COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN

RIGHTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

OMBUDSMAN

Address:

80 Street Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gate N.2, Baku, Azerbaijan Republic, P.O. Box: AZ1000

e-mail: ombudsman@ombudsman.az

2. General Prosecutor’s Office

Address:

AZ 1001, Азербайджан, Баку, ул. Нигар Рефибейли, 7.

To submit an online request, follow the link and select “send an online request to the Baku General Prosecutor’s Office”.

The French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche published an article by David Vardanyan, the eldest son of Ruben Vardanyan. He writes about the inaction of the international community and calls on foreign politicians, especially the UN leadership, to fight for release of his father. David Vardanyan’s article was published during the international climate summit COP29 in Baku.

“In fact, leaders of different countries have gathered under one roof in a place that is only a few hundred meters away from where Armenian hostages are being held and tortured”, notes David.

In the article, Ruben Vardanyan’s son wonders how the participants of the conference can talk about justice, human rights, global cooperation and environmental protection while his father and other former leaders of Artsakh are in captivity.

According to David Vardanyan, the international community cannot allow Azerbaijan to use the COP29 to portray the country in a positive light.

“I declare with all responsibility: to participate in this ongoing COP29 summit in Baku without addressing the issue of human rights is to become an accomplice in using this forum for Baku’s political purposes,” the author of the article emphasized.

Details: https://www.lejdd.fr/international/armenie-lemouvant-appel-du-fils-de-ruben-vardanyan-incarcere-depuis-un-en-azerbaidjan-151748

Christian churches around the world held coordinated ecumenical prayer services last weekend to call believers to global unity against the illegal detention of captives in Baku.

During the prayer service, which was led in London by Bishop Hovakim Manoukian, Primate of the Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland of the Armenian Church, Seda Hambardzoumian, the niece of Ruben Vardanyan, gave a speech. Here is her speech in full.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen!

Let us think together about the profound question: what does it mean to believe in something bigger than ourselves? In a time when personal success is the most important thing, it is difficult for many people to imagine living for the collective good and to understand the true value of freedom. Yet, thanks to history and our heritage, we know that true freedom is not a gift, but a responsibility. It often requires sacrifice.

Today I had the opportunity to share a deeply personal reflection on my uncle Ruben Vardanyan. This man devoted his entire life to principles that he considered more important than boundaries, comfort and even his own safety. For me, he is not just a philanthropist and humanitarian, but a man of unwavering convictions who showed through his actions what it means to live for something bigger than yourself.

Ruben’s story in many ways serves to epitomize this truth. His decision to support the people of Artsakh in a time of deep uncertainty was not motivated by political motives, but by a sincere human impulse. Having witnessed the suffering, resilience and courage of those who had endured hardship for generations, he felt it was his duty to be among these people. It was not an easy choice: he had to endure a ten-month blockade, miss the birth of his first grandchild and sacrifice many other important events. Yet Ruben Vardanyan could not give up this responsibility, could not help but follow this deep inner call. Even now, imprisoned in one of the most repressive countries, he thinks not so much about his own fate as about the future of his people.

Ruben showed that freedom sometimes requires more than words or feelings. It requires action, which often comes at too high a cost. Many Armenians know firsthand this resilience and willingness to sacrifice – a testament to our shared history and the strength that leads us forward.

This spirit is also felt in one of Ruben’s most significant projects, the Aurora humanitarian initiative. In 2015, on the centennial of the Armenian genocide, my uncle, along with Nubar Afeyan and the late Vartan Gregoryan, sought not just to honor our past, but to turn the memory of it into a call for compassion. They envisioned the Aurora Award as an award for modern-day heroes – people like Marguerite Barankits, who saved thousands of children’s lives during Burundi’s civil war, or Dr. Tom Catena, who provided emergency medical care in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan under unimaginably difficult conditions. These heroes risk their lives not for personal gain, but because they believe in a better future for others. Through the Aurora Award, my uncle and the other co-founders sought to bring attention to the courage and resilience that define both the history of the Armenian people and the spirit of humanity.

I remember how deeply moved I was by the words spoken one Sunday morning after Ruben’s arrest. I went to church that day and caught myself wondering how such an injustice could have happened to my family, to my people, to those brave men and women who sacrificed themselves in 2020 in defense of our homeland. The sermon that Fr. Nshan delivered then still resonates within me. He reminded us that history was more often made not by groups of people, but by individuals who believed strongly in their cause, acted on those beliefs and were willing to sacrifice themselves. “We don’t need the masses,” he said, ”we need a handful of people who really care”.

Ruben believes that every honest and kind act brings us one step closer to justice. Peace for him is not just the absence of conflict, but a spirit of compassion, shared responsibility and unbreakable determination.

It is this principle of giving more than you expect to receive that lies at the heart of the Aurora initiative. My uncle has followed this principle all his life. Even now, imprisoned, he does not retreat from his convictions. His devotion to his ideals reminds us that service does not always look heroic. Sometimes it can be as simple as being there for those who need you most. But this is very important.

Gathering here today, let us remember Ruben’s quiet courage. It hurts us to witness his suffering, but it only emphasizes the dignity with which he always held himself. But it is not enough to admire his strength. Let us hear what he wanted to convey: in a world so often focused on personal success, there is still room for compassion, resilience and service. We must remember: sometimes all it takes is faith to make a difference. Faith that our actions, no matter how small they may seem, can light the way forward.

Thank you”.

If the USA, the EU and African countries demand that Azerbaijan release Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenians, Baku will be forced to surrender. This opinion was expressed by Dele Olojede, Nigerian-American journalist, writer and publisher, who has got the Pulitzer Prize for covering consequences of the Rwanda genocide in 2005.

Olojede is closely acquainted with Ruben Vardanyan and considers his arrest a terrible injustice. “We should honor this person, and not keep him somewhere in Baku,” – he put emphasis in an interview with Armenian colleagues.

According to Olojede, the Azerbaijani government is responding to pressure from the world community. Therefore, provided that all conscious countries support Ruben, there will be progress in his case.

“Let Ruben go. Let him go back to his family. He does no harm to anyone, he only tries to invest in the prosperity of mankind and the protection of people at risk,” – concluded the Pulitzer Prize winner.

Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson sent a video greeting to participants of a youth conference on climate justice held at the UWC International School in Dilijan.

In her message, the former chief human rights advocate of the world organization reminded about the fate of Ruben Vardanyan: one of the founders of the college has been illegally held by Baku for more than a year.

“I hope that Azerbaijan, which is hosting this year’s COP29 conference, will demonstrate that it has at least some awareness of the need for peace in the region and will release Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian political prisoners and captives,” said Mary Robinson.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/849882.html

Social entrepreneur Ruben Vardanyan remains in Azerbaijani captivity. In October, the Baku court extended his illegal arrest for the third time.

Prominent international figures continue to speak out in support of Ruben Vardanyan. At the celebration in honor of the 10th anniversary of UWC Dilijan College, which was founded by Ruben and his partners, President of the UWC International Council Musimbi Kanyoro compared the life path of the philanthropist with the fate of the famous fighter for human rights Nelson Mandela. She said that like Mandela, Ruben will emerge victorious from all the trials.

Also in October, the book “Ruben” was presented in Yerevan. According to the authors Vladislav and Alina Gasumyanov, when creating the book, they sought to remind about the man who made the lives of many people better.

The French publication Le Point published an interview with Ruben Vardanyan’s eldest son. In the article “The world has turned a blind eye to ethnic cleansing carried out in Nagorno-Karabakh” David Vardanyan expressed concern that international lawyers are not allowed to visit his father.

Meanwhile, Ruben Vardanyan’s lawyers filed a lawsuit in Baku court for insulting their client’s honor, conscience and business reputation. The defendant was the Azerbaijani Russian-language newspaper “Baku Worker”: a number of its publications attributed fabricated accusations to Vardanyan.

While the philanthropist is still unable to return to his family, his projects continue to operate in Russia and Armenia. In October, the Wings of Tatev cable car celebrated its 14th anniversary. In the same month, the world’s longest reversible swing ropeway was nominated for the prestigious World Travel Awards 2024.

In addition, the selection committee for the Aurora International Humanitarian Award, co-founded by Ruben Vardanyan, is still active. The award is named in honor of the Armenian-American writer and actress Aurora Mardiganyan, who survived the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire. In October, a monument to Aurora was erected in Yerevan. Ruben Vardanyan’s wife Veronica Zonabend participated in the opening ceremony.

The philanthropist detained by the Azerbaijani authorities and his lawyer demanded to cancel the arrest decision. But the court presided by Gadim Babayev studied the case materials and found the complaint unfounded.

We would like to remind that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested in September 2023 when leaving NKR for Armenia. He has been in Baku prison since then. The Azerbaijani authorities have already repeatedly postponed the date of the trial. Probably, the prosecution expects the case to be considered in the most closed way, without international observers.

Well-known Armenian lawyer Siranush Sahakyan noted that the trial of political prisoners in Baku, including Ruben Vardanyan, will take place not earlier than 2025.

“It is clear that the accusations are of a political nature, and the judges are not independent and fully operate in an environment of Armenianophobia, where they apply their own approach to the problem.

In addition to these problems, we also notice another negative trend: if at the initial stage arrest terms could be extended for four months, now we see extension for five months. In the recent period, in the case of extension, the term of arrest is not even specified, which is unacceptable, because international standards require that detention as a preventive measure should be applied with the indication of clear terms,” said Siranush Sahakyan.

Ruben Vardanyan has been in pre-trial detention for more than a year. Today the court extended his arrest again. The date of the court hearing is still unknown, as well as whether international human rights defenders and media representatives will be allowed to attend the trial.

Many experts believe that by delaying the trial, the Azerbaijani authorities take revenge on Ruben Vardanyan for his short tenure as State Minister of Artsakh.

“With his support, an operational headquarters was established, which provided the peaceful population with the necessary minimum: food was purchased, issues with fuel, medicines, electricity were solved. Thanks to Vardanyan’s personal involvement, it was possible to create and equip a mobile primary health care team for residents of remote areas. Vardanyan’s help made it possible to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the region, for which the philanthropist was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize,” lawyer Ilya Remeslo recalls in his Telegram channel.

According to lawyer Siranush Sayakyan, who defends the rights of Armenian prisoners before the ECHR, it is now important to draw the attention of the international community and delegations of the countries participating in the Baku COP29 to the following important facts:

“Closed trials are held against Armenian political prisoners and captives, during which the right to an effective defense with the involvement of international experts is not ensured; the rights of arrested persons to a fair trial within a proper timeframe are violated; the norms of international law, which are related to the guarantees of protection against arbitrariness of persons deprived of liberty, are ignored in the most cynical way,” notes Siranush Sahakyan.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/847940.html

The longest reversible ropeway in the world was built as part of the “Tatev Revival” program.

According to Ruben Vardanyan, when launching the program, he was inspired by the Tatev Monastery, one of the largest temple complexes in the country. The philanthropist dreamed that this historic site would attract tourists and that the monastery itself would become active again. To this end, Vardanyan organized a fundraiser for the construction of a unique project – a ropeway.

In 14 years, the ropeway has transported over 1.3 million passengers. Thanks to the “Wings of Tatev”, tourist traffic to the Syunik Region increased 17 times compared to 2010. Now every fifth traveler in Armenia goes to Tatev.

At the same time, the project was and remains entirely non-commercial. The raised funds are used to build new roads, repair schools and kindergartens, and open community centers in the vicinity of Goris.

By the way, this year the “Wings of Tatev” was nominated for the third time for the World Travel Awards in the category “Best ropeway in the World”. You can vote for it on the award’s website until October 20, 2024.

The authors of the book “Ruben” are the director of the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications (NRIDC) Vladislav Gasumyanov and his daughter, deputy director of the NRIDC for media activities, head of the publishing house “Project Media Group” Alina Gasumyanova.

The authors note that when creating the book, they sought to recall the person thanks to whom the lives of many people became more prosperous. The main idea of the text was voiced at the presentation by the editor of the publication, Gnel Nalbandyan: humanists have no place in prison, they must continue their important work.

Ruben Vardanyan needs to regain his freedom not only for his own sake, but also for the sake of the common good. The philanthropist launched more than 700 projects worth $700 million, of which $202 million was invested in education, $68 in humanitarian initiatives, $20 million in culture and the protection of cultural and historical heritage, $13 million in the development of science, healthcare and agroecology.

The book “Ruben” was translated into Armenian and published by Newmag.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/846226.html#google_vignette

The international publication Reuters published a statement from Ruben Vardanyan’s lawyers: they filed claims in Baku. One of them is related to the treatment of Ruben in the Baku pre-trial detention center – according to lawyers, in April 2024 he was subjected to torture.

The lawyers’ statement was commented on by the representative of the interests of Armenian prisoners of war at the ECHR, Siranush Sahakyan. She confirmed the fact of the claims being filed and provided some details.

“The information is correct. Lawyers for political prisoner Ruben Vardanyan, who has been held under arrest in Azerbaijan for more than a year, filed a lawsuit in a Baku court against the Russian-language Azerbaijani newspaper “Baku Worker” for publications that discredit the honor, dignity and business reputation of Ruben Vardanyan. This is the only media outlet whose printed version is available to prisoners in Baku prison. In many publications of this publication, fabricated charges are attributed to Vardanyan.

On the one hand, free journalists are under pressure in Azerbaijan, and on the other, state-controlled media are not responsible for disinformation and slander. Meanwhile, in July of this year, speaking about disinformation, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that “media representatives bear a special responsibility, since their messages and the way they cover events in many cases affect people’s lives,” which, according to my information, the lawyers refer, expressing their agreement with this formulation.

In this situation, Ruben Vardanyan, in accordance with all the norms of Azerbaijani domestic and international law, has the right to go to court in order to protect his honor and dignity. Although we do not place much hope on domestic procedures, we can only turn to international authorities after they have been exhausted.”

The French edition of Le Point published an interview with the eldest son of Ruben Vardanyan

“The trial was to take place in January 2024. First, it was arbitrarily postponed until May, then postponed again. Now it is planned that it will be held in October, but we have no guarantees that it will not be transferred again”, – says Ruben Vardanyan’s son.

In November, Azerbaijan will host an international conference on climate change COP29. David Vardanyan expects that foreign leaders who plan to visit Baku will be able to put pressure on Azerbaijan and force it to release Armenian political prisoners.

Details: https://news.am/rus/news/845646.html

The new monument near the Komitas Museum-Institute is dedicated to all victims of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire and personally to Aurora Mardiganian. The Armenian-American writer and actress, also known as Arshaluys Martikian, survived the genocide but was forced to start a new life in the United States. Ruben Vardanyan’s wife Veronica Zonabend participated in the opening ceremony of the monument.

The foreground of the monument portrays young Aurora who “defeated death and told her story to the world, becoming a symbol of survival for future generations”. She is surrounded by figures of women suffering on the roads of the Der Zor desert.

Details: https://telegram.me/armtoday/83389

“Wings of Tatev” is the world’s longest passenger cable car of the pendulum type. It was built as a part of Ruben Vardanyan’s “Tatev Revival” program, and it has immediately entered into the Guinness Book of Records. “Wings of Tatev” is a unique project that has had a great impact on development of the region. During 13 years of operation, the cable car has been visited by more than 1 million people – every fifth guest of the country. At the same time, it was built in record time – in just 10 months.

This tourist site has already twice won the prestigious international tourism award World Travel Awards: the Tatev overhead rail won “The best cable car in the world” nomination in 2021 and 2023.

“Wings of Tatev” was nominated for the award for the third time this year. Help it win a well-deserved victory once again!

How do I vote for “Wings of Tatev”?

1. Visit worldtravelawards.com, the official website of the award, and register by email.

2. Set the region (World) in the Vote now section.

3. Select the World’s Leading Cable Car Ride 2024 nomination (item 63).

4. Vote for “Wings of Tatev”, Armenia.

You can vote for “Wings of Tatev” until October 20.

Philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan has been in Baku pre-trial detention center for one year. Azerbaijan illegally detained the social entrepreneur on September 27, 2023 when he was trying to leave Artsakh for Armenia.

One year ago Azerbaijan forcibly evicted thousands of residents of this region to Armenia. After Vardanyan, seven former statesmen of Artsakh were arrested. In total, Baku is holding 23 Armenian captives in prisons.

Shortly after Vardanyan’s detention, a march in support of the philanthropist and other prisoners was held in Yerevan. But Azerbaijan did not listen to the appeals of the world community – in October, a court in Baku rejected the philanthropist’s appeal against the arrest decision.

Famous cultural and scientific figures from Russia addressed the Azerbaijani authorities with an appeal to release Ruben Vardanyan. In an open letter, they emphasized that he had done a lot for the development of education and charity in the country and beyond.

In late October, the executive director of the Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide Elisa von Joden-Forgin said that human rights activists are working on mechanisms for the return of prisoners from Baku.

In November, the prisoners were visited twice by staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The arrested were allowed to contact their families.

Toward the end of the year, it became known that Azerbaijan refused to include Vardanyan in the list of prisoners to be exchanged with Armenia. Moreover, none of the former leaders of Artsakh were included in the list.

Before the New Year, Veronika Zonabend gave a big interview in the media for the first time after her husband’s arrest. She emphasized that despite her husband’s imprisonment, all his educational and charitable projects continue to work.

At the end of January 2024, the court extended Ruben Vardanyan’s illegal detention for another four months. At that time, he had been in detention for about 120 days.

In March, the fate of the social entrepreneur and other Armenian captives was discussed at a large conference of the European Parliament in Brussels. Ambassador to Belgium Tigran Balayan noted at the time that the unresolved situation “poisons the atmosphere”.

On April 8, Ruben Vardanyan was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for developing peace initiatives and preventing a humanitarian disaster in Artsakh. The authors of the appeal reminded that he promoted the unity of peoples and fought for human rights.

On April 19, the family of the social entrepreneur learned two weeks late that the philanthropist had gone on hunger strike. Vardanyan took this desperate step after Azerbaijan ignored repeated requests to ensure a fair and transparent trial in accordance with international legal standards.

On April 26, the philanthropist was forced to end his hunger strike after persistent requests from his family, who were concerned about his health.

In early May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia commented on the issue of actions being taken to release Vardanyan and other Armenians illegally detained by Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again reiterated its position in favor of the exchange and transfer of prisoners of war according to the “all for all” formula.

In mid-May, the court in Azerbaijan extended Ruben Vardanyan’s arrest for five months. Victoria Burkovskaya, the representative of the philanthropist’s defense in Russia, stressed at the time that he had been in custody for many months, although his culpability had not been proven by the court.

In June, Vardanyan’s lawyers sent an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur asking him to condemn the cruel treatment of their client. During his April hunger strike, the philanthropist was transferred to a punishment cell, deprived of sleep, denied drinking water for more than two days, forced to stand on his feet for long periods of time, cut off all communications with the outside world, and prevented from meeting with his lawyer or talking to his family by phone.

At the end of July, former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo called the situation “the culmination of genocide”. He also called on Armenians around the world to launch an information campaign ahead of the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku in an attempt to secure the release of Ruben Vardanyan and the other captives.

On September 18, at the graduation ceremony of the Skolkovo School of Management, which Ruben Vardanyan had created, the daughter of the social entrepreneur read her father’s message to the students and teachers. In his letter, the philanthropist thanked them for their care: “Your support gives me strength and makes me happy even here, in a prison cell. I am sure that soon we will meet again and I will see your happy faces and eyes burning with joyful excitement. It will happen!”