Our interlocutor in the framework of the documentary project “Artsakh: Genocide of Armenians 2023: Stories of Survivors” is Ani Arakelyan.

Ani was born in the village of Mets Tagher in the Hadrut region of Artsakh, lived in the city of Hadrut for 21 years, then moved to Stepanakert for studies, and studied in the Economics Department of Shushi Technological University.

She moved to Yerevan after the 2020 war, and until now she continues her studies here, works, and creates.

Although she was not in her native Artsakh during the days of the blockade, she shared these difficulties every minute with her family members and friends: “I was in Yerevan, and when they said there was no sugar, I unconsciously didn’t use sugar at home either, and when after September 19 they reached us with great difficulty, both they were thin, exhausted, and so was I, because those who have lived in Artsakh and those Armenians who know the place of Artsakh, have felt that pain on their bodies anyway.”

Ani also notes that the blockade had its positive sides; people began to care for and think about each other.

“I left my grandmother and the memories associated with her in Artsakh. I associate my grandmother with Artsakh, it’s hard to imagine that both she and Artsakh are gone.”

Our interlocutor does not share the idea that there will be no way back, noting that each of us can do many things for our country with our words, actions, and work.

For more details, see the video.

Mariam Shanazaryan