How Do the Words 'Colorful Celebration' and 'In Memory Of' Correlate? - 'Past'

'Past' newspaper writes: 'It is hard to say whether another reasonable person can combine the words 'colorful celebration' and 'in memory of.' But Nikol Pashinyan can. Yesterday, during a government meeting, he spoke about September 21 and specifically said: 'Due to circumstances, we cannot consider our mood festive, but we have decided that the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia's independence should be marked appropriately, and I want to say that on September 21, a large-scale and colorful celebration will take place in Republic Square. That celebration will primarily be dedicated to the memory of the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence, security, and sovereignty of Armenia and Artsakh.'

The 30th anniversary of independence can and perhaps should be celebrated; many interesting and creative alternatives could have been found. But 'a large-scale and colorful celebration?' A week before the anniversary of the start of the 44-day war, in conditions where the graves of thousands of heroes are still fresh, where many parents are still searching for their children, where we continue to lose lives on the border? Yesterday, the adequate part of our society was simply in shock; many described this as 'cynicism and desecration.' Threats were uttered by the relatives of the fallen: 'Let them try…'

Of course, despite various 'justifications' and 'clarifications,' everything is expected from this government. However, it is much more painful that should this 'large-scale and colorful celebration' take place, there will be many participants. 688,000 votes are a witness; indeed, it will be a grandiose and magnificent celebration.'