A park dedicated to the memory of the heroes who fell during the entire course of the Artsakh liberation struggle is to be established in Yerevan’s botanical garden. Around 14,000 trees are to be planted over an area of 30 hectares. The idea, born independently among a group of young people and the parents of fallen servicemen, has united them around their project.
“We had been thinking about this idea since December 2020, because we understood that a moment would come when one person would have the money to build a monument to his son, and another would not,” said Nikolay Torosyan, a member of the initiative group.
“From the general discussions we understood that the best idea is to create a park of life. I think it is the best way to immortalize the memory, and besides, a new green belt will be created for that city,” noted Armen Hagopyan, a member of the initiative group.
“We have khachkars, we have cemeteries; this must be different, it is a completely different idea, a park of life, of continuing life, of peace,” said Karen Khachatryan, the father of fallen Davit Khachatryan.
The Yerevan municipality responded to the idea immediately. At the instruction of Mayor Hayk Marutyan, a working group was created. The right location for the park had to be chosen. This was not just another project; an address befitting the idea had to be found.
“From the very beginning we were discussing a project to immortalize the memory of the fallen of the 44-day war, but there was a proposal from the Government to dedicate it to the memory of all those fallen in the Artsakh liberation struggles. We needed a large area, and as a result we decided to choose the botanical garden. That gives us the opportunity to revive the area,” noted Gayane Melkom Melkomyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan.
“We envision a bright forest park that will not be a place of sorrow, a living forest without excesses,” noted Hayk Zalibekyan, a member of the initiative group and an architect.
“The most important tree species is the pine, which will dictate the entire design. There are many reasons: longevity, and besides, it is a symbol of Artsakh, and when you look at the foliage, the trunk section reminds one of military clothing. In addition, there will be ornamental, flowering, and fruit-bearing trees here,” said Kristina Vardanyan, Deputy Director of the “Greening and Environmental Protection” SNCO.
The park is to gather around it a monument symbolizing the continuation of life, befitting the area and the idea, the design solutions for which are to be provided by specialists.
