Martuni, Nagorno-Karabakh
Martuni () or Khojavend ( ) is a town "de facto" in the breakaway‎ Republic of Artsakh as the centre of its Martuni Province, and the "de jure" centre of the Khojavend District of Azerbaijan, in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It is approximately 41 kilometers east of the regional capital, Stepanakert. It has a population of 5,700 as of 2015. The town has an ethnic Armenian-majority population, and also had an Armenian majority in 1989. Etymology. The name "Martuni" originates from the "nom de guerre" of Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary and official Alexander Miasnikian. The name "Khojavend" is  of Persian origin. History. Martuni was founded by local Armenians as a village named Khonashen (), where "shen" means village and "khona", depending on the source, allows different interpretations (namely, “village, dwelling” or “reservoir, well, spring”). In 1925, the settlement was transformed into a city and renamed Martuni. Excavations in the settlement have uncovered a number of tombs dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Martuni is also home to several ruined medieval churches and remains of settlements, and "khachkars" have also been preserved. During the Soviet period, Martuni was the capital of the Martuni District in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous  Oblast. The population of the town, grouped into "kolkhozes", largely occupied itself with raising livestock, grape growing, wheat cultivation, and gardening. Martuni, and the district itself, became a frontline city during the latter stages of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. In early February 1992, Vazgen Sargsyan, then Defence Minister of Armenia, appointed Monte Melkonian as Chief of Headquarters and assigned him to lead the defense of Martuni and the surrounding regions. On October 2, 1992, Armenian armed forces captured the region around Martuni. According to an Azerbaijani source, considerable damage was done to the infrastructure of 10 villages settled by  Azerbaijanis in the region during the war. Melkonian remained as regional commander until he was killed in combat in June 1993. Historical and cultural heritage. The town has a house of culture commonly called "The Opera", and the Church of St. Nerses the Great, opened in 2004. The Russian 19th-century Gevorgavan Church is located near Martuni. Economy and culture. The population mainly works in different state institutions as well as with agriculture and animal husbandry. As of 2015, Martuni has a municipal building, a house of culture, two schools, a music school, two kindergartens, a youth centre, 36 commercial  enterprises, two factories and a regional hospital. The community of Martuni includes the villages of Kajavan and Kakavadzor.