What Issues were at the Center of Attention of Armenians in 2015?

• 01.02.2016, 11:35
•  World,  Armenia

It is the right time to sum up 2015, trying to understand which questions were mostly discussed among the Armenian society.

2015 started in Armenia with a tragic incident. The murder of 6 members of Avetisyan family in Gyumri by Russian soldier Valeri Permyakov and the clashes between the police and protesters that followed, then the trial on that incident were at the center of the society throughout the whole year.

In regard with the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, 2015 was noteworthy not only for Armenians living in their homeland, but for the whole Armenian Diaspora as well. The events organized in different countries of the world commemorating the memories of Genocide victims, as well as the event organized by Kurdish forces commemorating the memory of Hrant Dink raised a lot of voice in Turkey.

In 2015 local and international media actively covered Kim Kardashian’s visit to Yerevan in early April, once again drawing the attention of the international community to recognize the Armenian Genocid. The Armenian youth very enthusiastically participated in the concert of Kanye West in the Swan Lake enjoying his jumping into the Lake.

Armenia and Armenian people will forever be grateful to Pope Francis , who on April 12 gave a liturgy in the Vatikan in the St. Peter's Basilica Catholic paying tribute to the memory of the martyrs of Armenian Genocide.

On April 23, the rock band System of a Down gave a concert in Yerevan entitled "Wake up Souls." On April 24, in the Genocide Memorial,  Armenia received Presidents from different countries – France, Russia, Serbia, Cyprus, who took part in the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Pan-Armenian 6^th summer games, the successes of the Armenian football team, the ceremony of consecration of chrism in the Holy See that takes place every 7 years, were among those events, that remained in the memories of Armenians.

As for the internal politics of Armenia, maybe everyone would remember the protests of the social movement "Electric Yerevan" against the rise of electricity prices and the protests against the Constitutional reforms that took place in December.

In 2015 Armenia was especially concerned about security-related issue. The tension on the borders, that continued rising throughout the year, was at the center of Armenian’s attention. Unfortunately, in ensuring its security Armenia had victims, who did not spare their lives for their homeland.

In 2016 we wish Armenia peaceful nights, kind news and only positive developments.