I was awarded with the Highest State Medal of Armenia!

The 1st degree State Medal for rendered Great Services to the Country

On Saturday 15 October, we were celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Armenian Grandmaster Rafael. Vaganian. Amongst the honouring guests were Armenian President and President of the Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan, President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and President of ECU Silvio Danailov.

For his birthday, Rafael Vaganian got an appartment as present from Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and a Kalmyk horse from FIDE President Kirsan Illyumzhinov.

Beside that Rafael Vaganian and the Armenian national team, which became World Champion, have been awarded by President of Armenia with 1st degree State Medal for rendered Great Services to the Country. To my big and pleasant surprise I was also awarded that highest State Medal.

Our President is awarding me with the 1st degree State Medal for rendered Great Services to the Country

Photo taken from official website of the President of Armenia (http://www.president.am)