Alvard Arustamyan went to Vanadzor from Stepanakert. Like many, she, her husband, and her grandchild ended up staying at the Vanadzor orphanage. They lived in a shelter for a long time and they tried to avoid leaving the city for as long as possible, but it became impossible to continue living under gunfire. So, they also decided to go to Armenia.
This woman, who saw the Artsakh Liberation War, said that this current war was something completely different; the Turks were even more dangerous this time. “This war was not like the one of the 1990s. This seemed to be 90 percent of a genocide. If they didn’t stop the war, then they would’ve completed the other 10 percent. That was their intention,” the 60-year-old woman said, adding that they lived in fear, and it will take many years for them to overcome that fear and learn to live with their pain.
She is not scared of anything anymore. “Now, many people are saying that we shouldn’t go because there are Turks in Shushi and other cities. But I’m not scared. Our boys died for those lands. If we don’t go, who will live there?”
Alvard hopes that the land being conceded to Azerbaijan according to the notorious document will once again return to Armenia. “I hope that Putin won’t give up those lands. I don’t believe that we gave them up. And even if we did, I won’t believe it. We’ll take it back. We’ll take back what we gave up.”
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But until then, Alvard and her family are also preparing to return to Artsakh soon. She remembers that it was difficult to get used to everything in the first few days. It was difficult to live with strangers in a strange place. However, they not only all got to know each other, but she also took on the responsibility of making food for everyone. Now, she does not leave the kitchen. She not only makes food, but she also bakes bread, prepares pickles, and sets the table. “To be honest, I have never made a lot of food for people, but I decided to do it. Now, I’m the one who does it. Our people are united. We live like one family,” Alvard said.
Tatevik Ghazaryan
