On May 9, Armenians celebrated the 19th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi, a very important victory for us as it was a day when we protected our own borders from the enemy. Each year on May 9, veterans of World War II and the Karabagh War receive great attention from Armenia’s government and authorities.
This year, a special commemorative event in Victory Park was organized. Children placed colorful flowers around the eternal flame. One could sense that these veterans were touched by the recognition. Their hopes are almost always the same — they wish for peace for their country and honor for their friends who were killed in the line of duty.
After the ceremony, visitors sang patriotic songs and marched to the Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia) Museum, which contains different materials from WWII and the Karabagh War. The patriotism of the day was palpable, indeed.
Betgehem Arabyan is one of this year’s Margaret Ajemian Ahnert Journalism Scholars.