Nikol Pashinyan Discusses Planned Events, 287 Veterans to Receive 300,000 Dram Assistance

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory and the support provided to veterans by the Government in an interview with Mir TV. According to Armenpress, in response to a journalist's question about how Armenia will celebrate Victory Day, Pashinyan stated that unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented the implementation of all planned events, however, an air parade will be organized on May 9.

“On May 9, we will organize events, and their main essence is to honor those veterans who are still with us. Currently, 287 veterans live in Armenia, and official events dedicated to them will be held on May 9,” said Pashinyan.

He reminded that the Government of Armenia has decided to award all veterans with honorary prizes of 300,000 drams in connection with the 75th anniversary of Victory Day. “Last year we doubled the pensions of all veterans of the Second World War. I hope that under the conditions of the coronavirus, we will be able to create a festive atmosphere for everyone, especially for the veterans,” Pashinyan noted.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also spoke about his grandfather, who was killed in the Great Patriotic War: “I don’t remember anything about him, not even my father remembers anything, because my grandfather went to the front when my father was just a one-year-old baby. For me, my grandfather is just photographs and a few stories from my father. I can only say that he was a sergeant in the 138th Rifle Division, part of the 554th Rifle Regiment. According to some documents, he died in February 1943, while according to others, he is missing. According to some documents, near Stalingrad, while according to others, in Crimea. I haven’t had the chance to talk to my grandfather, and neither did my father have that opportunity,” he said.

Pashinyan shared that he has several old photographs of his grandfather that are precious memories for the family. When asked what the government is doing to ensure that young people remember the names of the 107 heroes of the Soviet Union, Pashinyan replied that the youth of Armenia and all citizens encounter these war heroes every day, as one of the main avenues in Yerevan is named after the war hero Marshal Baghramyan.

“Another famous avenue is named after Marshal Babajanyan. The third avenue is named in honor of Admiral Isakov. Thus, we interact with the heroes of the Great Patriotic War on a daily basis. There are many monuments in the capital and the country in memory of those who fell at the front. Nelson Stepanyan, who received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union twice, died heroically in the Great Patriotic War. Armenia perceives all these people as true heroes of our nation. I believe that the highest degree of human consciousness is the readiness to die for the homeland. These people, our fallen heroes, have shown that they have achieved the highest degree of human consciousness,” Pashinyan stated.