It’s very sad for me, but I don’t want to get involved in people’s actions

Armenian artilleryman Albert Hovhannisyan's father, Artak Hovhannisyan, learned through Facebook posts about a citizen's request to install a statue of Albert in Yerevan and the rejection of this proposal by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS).

“I have no connection to that initiative; I also learned about it from social media, just like you. Facebook user Lilit Movsisyan made a very accurate post on this subject, and I can only say that those who think they should criticize, and those who believe they acted correctly, should read that post. Many patriotic people know what to do; this is not my saying, nor my initiative, nor have I ever been involved in such matters. I can only give my approval and blessing to such endeavors. In general, Albert is not just my son; he is a symbol of the entire Armenian nation. It’s very sad for me, but I don't want to delve into people's actions,” said Artak Hovhannisyan in an interview with NEWS.am.

It should be noted that Facebook user Lilit Movsisyan, responding to the MoESCS's explanation of the rejection, wrote: “After your father gave himself to the soil, he called us not to buy flowers and wreaths, but to make donations to the pan-Armenian foundation. Later, when his family wanted to receive money from different countries around the world, he requested that those donations be made to the same foundation. Subsequently, he donated a car to the Ministry of Defense and justified his move during one of his interviews... frankly, I am ashamed in place of the Ministry of Defense. For all of us, your father serves as a bright example of an Armenian, a strong man. He spares nothing for the nation, for the state. And now, instead of standing by him in any way, in any issue, we give him such a response. Albert, your statue will definitely be erected. I declare my support, and I am confident that a whole nation is with your family and by your side.”

Additionally, Narine Manukyan, the director of the Republican Rehabilitation Center, published the MoESCS's rejection in response to a citizen's request regarding the installation of Albert Hovhannisyan's statue in Yerevan. The citizen proposed to install a statue of the artilleryman, who became known during the first days of the war, as a collective image of an unbeaten Armenian artilleryman. The Ministry noted that there are no budget allocations planned for the citizen's proposal in the 2021 state budget.