Singers Abandon Their Promises and Do Not Go to Berdzor: What Hokhikyan Reports

Interethnic conflict expert Nairi Hokhikyan wrote:

“The concert scheduled for July 1 in Berdzor (Lachin) could have been more substantial and meaningful if a group of singers had not last minute opted out of their promises. It’s easy to sit in the center of Yerevan and talk about patriotism, but saying ‘let’s go to Artsakh’, especially to somewhat risky areas, immediately causes stomach discomfort for many, work-related issues, or suddenly remembering that they are pregnant.

Anyway, this is the reality, and through this, I understand who stands by you in difficult times, who greets you with dawn in Aghavnadzor and Berdzor, who is fighting alongside you in the realm of public diplomacy and serving on the front lines.

In any case, I am happy that on July 1 in Berdzor not only was the Azerbaijani flag not raised, but the Armenian tricolor continued to wave, and the Armenians continued to live there, dancing near the reopened church.

It was mainly the children of Aghavnadzor and Berdzor who took on the responsibility of organizing the singing and dancing, rescuing me from a difficult situation, while those who were afraid for their safety to come from different parts of the Republic of Armenia to have a small part in the 2-3 day events—showing the world and the enemy that Armenians are still living in Berdzor and living abundantly—spread panic everywhere before July 1, claiming it had already been surrendered, that people were being evacuated. But after July 1, they again became invincible heroes, declaring they knew that Berdzor was not being surrendered, and therefore there was no point in going there and standing alongside those who live there.

Now, knowing that it is still not surrendered, at least go now, at least now, while it is a bit safe, go, pick something up from the store, reach out to these people, or simply talk to them, otherwise it’s easy to speak grandly from warm corners.

I have served my homeland, I will continue to serve, but each time I make more sorrowful discoveries about the people purportedly standing beside me—while simultaneously holding tighter onto those who are truly next to me. God is great.”