‘We Are Our Artsakh’ Event Held in Yerevan’s Yeraz Park
Yerevan’s Yeraz Park on September 7 was filled with the flavors and aromas of Artsakh, its sweet dialect, and warm greetings from attendees during the “We Are Our Artsakh” event.
Participants celebrated the culture and heritage of Artsakh while holding onto hope that, one day, the families displaced from their ancestral lands will be able to return to their homes. Until then, it’s essential to create communication platforms for refugees who have settled in Armenia and provide opportunities to preserve the intangible heritage of Artsakh. Angela Petrosyan, co-founder of “Yeraz Projects” and the visionary behind the event, expressed hope that every Armenian would live with and be guided by that agenda.
“The purpose of this event is to remain closely connected to our national values, preserving our identity by passing our cultural heritage and traditions from generation to generation,” said Petrosyan. “I deeply desire that we, as compatriots, take ownership of our history, recognize, love, and preserve what we have, while sharing our love and care to one another. By supporting each other, we can become stronger. Artsakh should live within us today, tomorrow, and always.”
Cultural figures from Artsakh, artists, artisans creating handmade items, and representatives of small businesses gathered at Yeraz Park, bringing the spirit of Artsakh with them.
Co-organizer Syuzi Ayrumyan noted that this was the first time since last September that this many Artsakh refugees had gathered in one place.
“This was the best thing we could have done. People should communicate and support one another, as moral support is very important — perhaps even more so than material assistance. I hope this event becomes a tradition, and that we gather here every year to preserve our dialect, our dishes, and our culture,” Ayrumyan said, while acknowledging the huge effort made by the organizers to bring such a large-scale event to life.
During the event, bands and dance groups from Artsakh performed folk songs and dances, and various master classes were held. The event featured several Artsakh-themed pavilions, including displays of Artsakh goods, handicrafts, and distinctly Artsakh dishes—such as gatha, jingyalov hats, and kurkut.
Apres Margaryan, president of the Center for the Preservation of Artsakh Culture nonprofit, emphasized the importance of such events, particularly for preserving Artsakh’s cultural heritage and identity, which are inseparable from Armenian culture.
“Especially after the forced displacement, when Artsakh Armenians are deprived of the opportunity to preserve and pass on their cultural heritage from generation to generation—since customs, dialect, lifestyle, and culture are formed and maintained within the community—such events are of great importance. If our cultural heritage is at risk and we lack the means to protect it, we must take steps to preserve the intangible heritage through such initiatives,” said Margaryan.
Live music was performed by the National Chamber Orchestra of Artsakh, the Artsakh Ayas ensemble, the We Are Our Mountains dance ensemble, the Artsakh State Dance Ensemble, students from the Stepanakert Youth Creative Center, the Voices of Artsakh group, students from the Artsakh “Tsil” Puppet Studio, as well as Artem Valter, Gaya Arzumanyan and Arthur Khachents.
Singer Artem Valter noted that Yeraz Park resembles the square in Stepanakert. He reconnected with several friends at the event, where he said he finally saw smiles on their faces. “This event gave us all the opportunity to unite and care for each other. Thanks to the organizers, whose efforts brought together so many Artsakh citizens in one place, we could give each other strength and inspiration,” Valter said.
At the closing of the event, a surprise awaited the attendees. Dedo and Babo, the symbols of Artsakh, greeted everyone through an animated clip, calling attendees to be united, supportive and always full of love for one another, with the hope that, one day, we will meet again in Artsakh.
