We have a fair number of memorial days throughout the year to commemorate those who fought and gave their lives during the Second World War in the west. And over time many of these memorial dates have somewhat lost their significance over the changing years. But in the former republics of the USSR, there's a specific date that continues to hold importance: May 9. This ultimately serving as the specific date in which the Soviet Union had managed to claim final victory over Nazi Germany, as on May 9, 1945, Nazi Germany would have finally succumbed to its many failures and defeats during the war effort, and had been reduced to surrender. Just over a week after Hitler's death. Due to the large number of losses the Soviets had faced themselves, May 9 continued to be a day of commemoration even after the Soviet Union itself fell, and the various republics broke away from Russia seeking their own independent futures. Armenia was one of them.
I arrived (not-so) fresh off the train on May 8th, early in the morning. I had completely forgotten about May 9 having any significant importance to it within the region. I don't remember the previous year's May 9 in Armenia. Though I think I may have seen a little bit of something on the news around Victory Park. I was coincidentally in the area having been searching through apartments to rent out in the city, just above Victory Park's location just over the Cascade. After the viewing was another to be scheduled in the same area, but the owner last minute cancelled on us. This was probably a blessing in disguise, however, as it gave us time to walk towards Victory Park and see what was going on there before things got a little too late. And I was quite surprised at how large of an event it was. Victory Park, named after that Soviet victory, was also the home of the large Mother Armenia statue which is seen from much of Yerevan, depending on whether any buildings or elevation blocks it. It's a great gesture in which a woman stands proudly over the city, holding a sword horizontally.
This park is of Soviet origin. It shows. It's a little overgrown, with some abandoned buildings and little market stalls that would've operated quite proudly for the visitors throughout the year. I'm sure that as Armenia and Yerevan develop, these buildings we be revisited with more attention. As demand for more restaurants and cafes increases alongside the tourism. These buildings designed by the same architects of the Mother Armenia statue itself. And with this design comes a mixture of Soviet history but also Armenian culture; Armenian stone with etched named and symbols that pay respects to the many lives lost during various wars. Victory Park is not necessarily a place to celebrate victory, it's to highlight the unfortunate loss of real people that led to that victory. And the concept of victory varies. For some, victory is the nation as it is today, its existence as it struggled. Where its ideologies may have shifted. Where ideology doesn't even come into consideration in many cases. Afghan War losses are losses nonetheless. Soviet Armenians killed during the Second World War is the loss of Armenians as well. Just as the more recent war with Azerbaijan.
There are no individual stories here. There are no major signs of this being a memorial park beyond these stones. Though once you walk around the park and stumble into the massive Mother Armenia, you see various Soviet era weapons systems and vehicles on display. This wasn't anything in particular for May 9, but rather permanent installations. They had small plaques on them which stated their year of manufacture, as well as the type of vehicle or weapon. Ranging from a large missile defence system to a tank, early fighter jet, and personnel carriers. Some of which children were climbing all over and taking photographs on, to no annoyance by the many police around. This was a day of celebration and admiration, after all. And that mood wasn't sombre. This park was absolutely stacked with people, and many of which were families paying their respects around Mother Armenia, with many people seeking out the park's many little attractions, from the stalls to win items playing mini-games to the large ferris wheel which offers incredible views of Yerevan from above. I didn't go on it this time, but I'd love to in the future. Sometimes there was the odd older person walking around with medals and such in uniform.
In front of Mother Armenia was an eternal flame. Something to effectively state that their sacrifices remain in memory, and that those people live on. A sign on the floor also stating that fact. The people may be gone, but they're not going to be forgotten. Underneath Mother Armenia is a museum, though it was closing right about the time we went. So it's something I'll visit soon and write about in a separate post. But this was an interesting experience. The first actual May 9 event I've actually attended. And one that had many different emotions to it as an outsider. The usual sadness that so many individuals had turned into mere text on rock as a result of stupid conflicts. But also the appreciation and joy in seeing how important it was to so many to show their respects to those names. To show that 80 years later, these people are still taking their time to pay them a little visit and offer them a few flowers.
Many of these photographs were shot on the Sony A6000, but with a Soviet era Helios 44-2 lens. Some others were taken with my cheap phone.