New Hachn
The Nor Hadjin city is situated in Kotayk Marz (Region) of the Republic of Armenia, next to the Arzni gorge and Arzni-Shamiram Canal. The city with a population of around 12.000 has art schools and general education schools, city library, sports school, hall of culture, History Museum of Cilicia.
Upon construction, in 1955, of the largest hydro-electric station of Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade — Gyumush Hydroelectric Power Station, the construction of Arzni Hydroelectric Station was launched. Meanwhile, in the southern part of current Nor Hadjin city a small power unit named “Silovoy Uzel” was established.
In 1956, during the construction of Arzni Hydroelectric Station, a group of builders, starting from Arzni gorge and going up to the plateau, laid foundation for the first constructions of Nor Hadjin
city.
In May 1958, the Arzni factory of technically pure stones was established upon the decision of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. In 1976 the Factory already produced more than 60 types of products with a total value of RUB 12.6 million.
The instrumentation had an individual role in the Factory. In 1978-1980s the Factory produced more than 80 types of products, held close relations with more than 250 factories of the former USSR, as well as with 64 scientific and research institutions in respect of scientific and technical issues. The product was exported to 14 countries including FRG, England, Italy, India, etc. Due to
the efforts of the Head of Factory A. Harutyunyan and the Chief Engineer K. Galoyan the productivity of the Factory was significantly increased, as a result of which the Factory was granted a high reward— the “Medal of Honor” order (1971).
In 1968, the art school was founded in Nor Hadjin and in 1971— the hall of culture. The latter provides for admission at the departments of piano, string instruments, folk instruments, vocal performance, fine arts and chess.
In 1973, the memorial monument, as designed by Rafayel Israyelyan, devoted to the everlasting memory of victims of Hadjin battle was set up in Nor Hadjin. The Museum collection is composed
4 of 1882 (as of the data of 2006) museum items, contains antique books, unique coins and valuable photos. Starting from 15 May 1998, the Museum was placed under community management.
The “Pantheon of Freedom Fighters” or “Military Pantheon” of Nor Hadjin was built in 1990 around the graves of heroes fallen in Artsakh liberation war. The sculptor of the memorial complex is Rafik Khachatryan (Khachar).