The Asmaryan family moved from Syria to Artsakh 7 years ago. They established a coffee shop in Stepanakert, which is currently providing soldiers and others who need it with free meals.
The father of the family, Hovik Asmaryan, said, “We are also worried just like all Armenians due to the war. And there are always casualties during war, which is the only thing that bothers us. But there is no panic. The fact that my family and I are still here is proof of that. It is a fact that we are calm, and we have hope and faith in our army.”
He remembered that, when his family moved to Artsakh, people would frequently ask them if they truly knew where they were going. “The conditions were comfortable in Artsakh. In addition, we’re not supposed to honor the memory of our martyrs only through poems. We’re supposed to continue their work. We’re supposed to build this country up as long as we live here. I believe that their souls will be happier when they see that a new business opened, a new home was built, and a new family was formed, more so than if hundreds of thousands were spent on writing songs for them. That has its place, but this is also important, and we need to take that into consideration as a country. We need to honor their memories by living.”
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According to Hovik, they are trying to help as many people as possible through their coffee shop. “The Motherland needs you, and everyone is needed where they are. That happened on its own. We are doing everything we can. We are also volunteers. For example, it’s calm here after 4 or 5. Before people come, my family goes to the bakery that accepts volunteers, and they help to bake bread. We are baking bread for the army.”
Ami Chichakyan
Photos by Narek Avagyan
