Russian Peacekeepers to Hold Grand Parade in Artsakh on May 9

Reports have been circulating online for several days that the authorities of Artsakh are planning a grand concert on May 9, which has been reduced from a three-holiday observance to a two-holiday one (also the day of the liberation of Shushi) in Stepanakert's central square. Residents of Artsakh are outraged by these reports, considering that organizing a concert after the 44-day war is tantamount to desecrating the memory of our fallen soldiers.

However, the spokesperson of the President of Artsakh, Lusine Avanesyan, stated yesterday to Hraparak, “At least at this moment, there is no talk of a large event in Stepanakert’s square.” Regarding other events of the day, she mentioned that the Ministry of Culture is overseeing them, and that no commission has been formed by the president to handle the events.

The Ministry of Culture did not respond, but the newspaper has learned that Russian peacekeepers in the region are preparing to hold a grand parade dedicated to the 76th anniversary of victory in World War II on that day. Recently, a rehearsal was conducted in the Ivanian community near Stepanakert Airport, involving around 400 Russian servicemen. The governing circles of Artsakh assure that the parade will not take place in Stepanakert’s central square, but rather in the Ivanian community.