Triple holiday in Armenia and Artsakh celebrated with coronavirus-prompted restrictions

YEREVAN, May 9. /ARKA/. This year, Armenia and Artsakh are celebrating the triple holiday - the 75th Anniversary of Victory in World War II, Shushi Liberation Day and the Artsakh Defense Army Formation Day in the coronavirus-caused isolation.

On May 9, political and military leaders of Armenia and Artsakh pay floral tribute to heroes fallen in the World War II and the Karabakh Liberation Movement and festivities are held in both republics.

This year, however, all the festivities are being held amid the movement restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.  

This Victory Day ...

Armenia has made a huge contribution to the victory over Nazis. During the World War II, the Armenian people sent to the frontline 600,000 soldiers, of which 300,000 from Armenia itself, 200,000 from other Soviet republics and another 100,000 from foreign countries. During the fighting, about 200,000 Armenians died. For such a small country as Armenia, this is a huge loss.

During the war years, the Armenian people gave 106 Heroes of the Soviet Union. Among the largest military leaders of the Second World War there are twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal Ivan (Hovhannes) Baghramyan, Chief Marshal of Armored Forces Hamazasp Babadzhanian, Air Marshal Sergey Khudyakov (Armenak Khamferyants) and Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR Ivan Isakov. The Armenian people prepared and sent six motorized rifle divisions to the front, and the 89th Taman division reached Berlin itself.

The Armenians took part in the partisan movement in the territories occupied by Nazi Germany and took an active part in the defeat of German troops behind enemy lines. The logical continuation of the heroic struggle of the Armenian people on the fronts of World War II was the Karabakh liberation movement.

Shushi Liberation

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the conflict in Karabakh entered the stage of large-scale hostilities. A turning point in the war was the liberation of the second largest Karabakh city, the historical and cultural center of Karabakh - Shushi.

In May, 1992, the Karabakh forces had almost completed the elimination of Azerbaijani firing points inside the republic, for the complete liberation of Artsakh it was necessary to drive the enemy out of Shushi.

In early May, self-defense forces planned and carried out a brilliant operation to liberate Shushi, writing one of the most glorious pages in the modern history of Armenia. The city was completely liberated on May 9 - Victory Day.

The operation was of great strategic military and psychological importance. Self-Defense Forces of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic saved Stepanakert from daily bombing, creating conditions for opening a land route to Armenia.

A few days later, the Karabakh army liberated Lachin, suppressing the nearby firing points of the enemy. Thereby, the direct connection between Artsakh and Armenia was restored.

Later, May 9 was proclaimed the Day of the liberation of Shushi and the Day of the creation of the Karabakh army.

Yerevan: Holiday Celebration in Restrictions due to Pandemic

On the eve of 7:00 at the Yerablur Pantheon, police forces are taking measures to ensure security and to exclude crowds, which will end on May 9 at 23:59.

On May 8, from 8:00 p.m., police units switched to service in Victory Park: the main task is to protect and enclose the Eternal Flame and the alleys leading to it, so that only those who have permission (officials and delegations) have access to them. Access of citizens and vehicles to this territory is prohibited until 23:59 on May 9th.

From 8:00 on May 9, entrances to the Komitas Pantheon are also closed to people and vehicles.

Entrance to the territory of the Yerablur military pantheon and Victory Park in Yerevan on May 9 was open exclusively for official events, which held from 10:30 to 11:00. The highest authorities visited Victory Park, where a wreath-laying ceremony took place.

A visit to the Mother Armenia memorial complex will be organized for WWII veterans, where a festive event will be held, after which the organizers promised to arrange a surprise, the details of which are not disclosed due to organizational conditions.

As for the traditional awards and awards for this day, the relevant decisions have already been taken, and the official ceremony will take place after the situation permits. A festive concert will also take place.

Restrictions in Artsakh

Celebrations in honor of the triple holiday of May 9 are also canceled in Artsakh. The authorities of the republic in the face of the threat of a pandemic of the new coronavirus were forced to cancel the festivities and restrict themselves to more restrained and small ceremonies.

In particular, the traditional procession to the Stepanakert memorial, sports will not take place. -0--