Parents of Fallen Soldiers Demand Humble Tombstones and Park at Yerablur

The parents and relatives of soldiers who fell during the 44-day war are outraged. Months ago, the Ministry of Defense promised that the section of Yerablur where their sons are buried would be transformed into a beautiful park, and the tombstones would be as the parents desired—a small and modest affair. However, parents discovered yesterday that the tombstones are completely different from what was promised.

Narine Shelelenkian told Aravot.am that they saw a photo on social media depicting a large tombstone that is now being offered to parents. Gathered together, they went to Yerablur, where two options for tombstones were displayed. “You can’t imagine how many parents fell ill when they saw that tombstone. First, we were told that this section would become a beautiful park, and we said that we do not want Yerablur to turn into a regular cemetery with tall tombstones like those of soldiers who fell in previous wars. We expressed a desire for it to resemble a park, like in the USA (referring to Arlington National Cemetery), a green area with small tombstones, a place where people can go and find peace,” Narine narrated.

The parents even stated they were willing to fund this project themselves, without involving the state. In response, officials claimed they also intended to improve the entire area, beautifying the corners between the first and second sections, creating green spaces, and placing benches while discussing memorial stones for the missing soldiers from the war.

However, those promises vanished, and now parents are confronted with traditional gravestones, each more terrifying than the last. Parents were distressed, stating, “It feels like a stone coffin.”

Narine continued, “This isn’t a fight over a tombstone or cemetery; it’s a fight over an idea. If Yerablur becomes a regular cemetery, it will lose its meaning. A twenty-year-old woman, with a baby in her arms, comes to Yerablur almost every day. Children over six years old visit their fathers. Can anyone imagine what this is like for the children, for parents, for women? People do not approach the stone. No matter how precious that stone is, the parents don’t want that option; they want a bright environment in Yerablur, a small white stone, like a book opened, all of the same shape and size, with the names, surnames, a small picture, and a brief story about the fallen soldier inscribed.”

This proposal has remained unanswered. It reflects an unconscious approach by those responsible; they do not grasp the idea behind Yerablur. There, when a mother approaches, she can tell a story about her child, which is different. How could it be possible to turn that space into a frightening, ordinary area?” Narine has attempted to contact officials concerning this issue and has called the MoD's hotline, but all her calls have gone unanswered.