At the expense of the lives and blood of our brave soldiers the liberated Shushi today stands as an unassailable fortress and a generation grows there, who continue the mission of their fathers and who cannot imagine their life outside Shushi. As they note "in the town there is a unique energy, a power that attracts and does not let you go.”
"Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with 20 year-old Kristina Khachatryan and 21 year-old Mariam Andreasyan to find out what is the meaning of May 9 for young Shushi residents and how they celebrate Victory day.
- What doea Shushi liberation mean for you?
- First of all I am very proud that I am born in Shushi. I live here and hope that I will live here forever doing my best to see my town prosperous. In this town there is a unique energy, a power that attracts and does not let go. Each time I am absent from my town no later than for 3-4 days I start missing it. They always ask me: "What do you miss?" I respond: "Everything, because every corner in this town, every city is very dear to me. This is a feeling that I cannot explain.”
I am very grateful to our soldiers, officers; I bow my head to the hero martyrs, because of their immortal job today my Shushi is liberated and we can live comfortably in Shushi stronghold.
- How do you celebrate May 9 in Shushi?
- Triple holiday in Shushi is celebrated in a very happy and interesting atmosphere. This is already the sixth year that in the morning of May 9 me and my friend go to the memorial "Tank" in Shushi to lay flowers and then walk back to the town. It has become a tradition for us. After coming back to the town we participate in all the evens organized. Everybody celebrates the holiday in a unique and interesting way.
- What will you wish to your hometown?
- First of all I wish peace and new achievements. I want to see my town in better conditions. I want it never lose its uniqueness. Let the tracks of the war disappear, let Shushi have more population. By God’s will let only "Armenian-speaking" rings ring in Ghazanchetsots Cathedral and St. Hovhannes Mkrtich Church in Shushi.
In her turn a twenty-one year resident in Shushi Mariam Andreasyan expressed her ideas about the holiday in the following short but very meaningful sentences.
- Liberation of Shushi is the start of the Armenian revival. It was strategically and psychologically important victory that helped us to believe in our strengths and found a powerful homeland. This victory helped us to restore justice and be filled with the feeling of hope towards the future. I want our city to flourish and prosper peacefully. I wish we always hear the laugh and cry of new born babies here.
Let it be peace in our Artsakh and happy Victory Day.