Photo: The Dream of Dushman Vardan Has Come True

On April 6, along the Stepanakert-Shushi highway, a group of individuals from Mother Armenia, in collaboration with the "Hayki Serund" public organization, planted elm trees. This initiative is dedicated to fulfilling the long-held dream of the hero of the Artsakh war, Dushman Vardan (Vardan Stepanyan), reports Artsakhpress.

The event was attended by Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan, state officials, Dushman Vardan’s mother, Zarik Stepanyan, his sister Armine, relatives, friends, and volunteers.

In a conversation with a correspondent from the site, Zarik Stepanyan said that in 1988, Vardan left his studies unfinished and went to Artsakh. He dreamed of being the first to enter liberated Shushi and returning home through Lachin.

“As a military strategist, my son came to Artsakh in 1988 and formed detachments. He participated in the liberation of all regions of Artsakh. Vardan was one of the first to enter liberated Shushi alongside Ashot Bekor. My son’s first dream has been fulfilled. He used to say, ‘whoever controls Shushi controls all of Artsakh.’ Upon returning home from Shushi, he embraced me and said, ‘Mom, you must live for 100 years; I will bury you in Shushi,’ and continued, ‘I will plant elm trees along the entire Stepanakert-Shushi highway,’” Zarik said.

“He loved Shushi. Unfortunately, my son’s dream remained unfulfilled, but we have tried to make it a reality,” Zarik added.

Speaking about the initiative to plant the elms, she mentioned that since 2016, they have been spreading announcements on social media with the goal of realizing Dushman Vardan’s dream. Many people joined the initiative, but for various reasons, it was constantly delayed.

“Today, my sons and daughters are fulfilling my son’s dream. I consider Artsakh to be my son. We must prove to the world that every Armenian considers Artsakh their own. May the Armenian womb be fertile, and may new Vardans be born, and may these elms spread their fragrance everywhere,” Zarik emphasized.

Vardan’s sister, Armine Stepanyan, recalling her brother’s words, said, “If an Artsakhi doesn’t defend his land, the world can’t protect it either.”

“We don’t come to Artsakh just to see it; we come to meet Vardan. Today is very important for us because today we have realized my brother Vardan’s dream. I thank everyone who made this initiative a reality,” she noted.

Deputy Sofia Hovsepyan from the “My Step” parliamentary faction also told us that upon learning about such an initiative, she immediately expressed her readiness to participate in the realization of Dushman Vardan’s dream.

According to Hovsepyan, those who joined the initiative are people who appreciate and value national values, the patriotic deeds and feats of heroic Armenians.