ARTIK, Armenia (Panorama.am) — Artists, local residents and public figures have voiced concern over plans to dismantle a World War II memorial in the town of Artik, fearing the move could set a troubling precedent for other historical monuments across Armenia.
The monument, erected in 1965 in Artik’s central Liberty Square, commemorates the victims of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and is designated as a nationally significant monument. Despite its protected status, the local authorities, backed by the Armenian government, have approved its dismantling and relocation.
Historian and political analyst Derenik Malkhasyan suggested the decision could signal a shift towards policies echoing those of Eastern European and Baltic countries, where Soviet-era WWII monuments have been removed amid growing anti-Russian sentiment.
“If dismantling is successful in Artik, this may become a model other communities will follow,” Malkhasyan warned in a social media post on July 26.
In an interview with Panorama.am on Tuesday, Artur Gevorgyan , a sculptor and head of the Gyumri National Park-Museum of Sculpture, stated that dismantling such a monument is unprecedented in Armenia.
“No monument recognized as cultural heritage and registered with a passport has ever been dismantled in Armenia. When necessary, they’ve always been restored on-site,” Gevorgyan said,
