NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA

Architects know how to build, construct and improve, so that the Homeland becomes stronger and safer. And this does not refer only to peaceful conditions. Having received the news of the war, the students of the Faculty of Architecture of our University also went to the frontline on a voluntary basis. There are a number of heroes. Many of them were on the battlefield for the second time; they also took part in the April four-day war.

“The enemy is the same, but the wars were different,” my interlocutors state. According to them, during the April war they did not realize what happened, and now they do not understand what is constantly going on. A graduate student Vahan Harutyunyan notes that our army is now more efficient than ever, both materially and technically and in terms of military training, but the struggle was unequal. He says that war is a stressful situation in which not all soldiers can overcome their fears, anxieties, forget whatever they see and get rid of painful memories. Vahan says, “After the war I have become more bad-tempered and I don’t know if it is the result of stress or it has already become a characteristic feature”.

“Human relationships are the first to change on the battlefield,” says 4th year student Suren Azizyan, correcting himself and adding- “you should go to the battlefield after reviewing those relations”. “You must be ready to sacrifice your life for your friend, for the one standing next to you. If you hesitate for a second, both of you will die.” During the conversation, Suren remembered how his professional skills helped him. With his advice and instructions, they decided the location of the trenches; the stairs were built so that it was easier and safer to go up and get down. “A mine exploded right next to us while we were digging a trench. We managed to hide and no one was injured. Everything worked well,” now Suren is telling this with a hidden smile on his face.

“When you stand face-to-face with the enemy, you do not feel anything, you just want to survive. At first you want, then you already learn how to survive and gradually become a master in the conditions of danger, distress and fear.” 23-year-old Vahagn Hovakimyan says that the war hardens emotions. “Before leaving, you have to prepare yourself, control all your emotions, in order to express yourself more effectively there. After returning to civilian life, I evaluate the situations more realistically and soberly and value my life,” admits Vahagn after fighting for 44 days and returning home.

“The historical Homeland Artsakh will definitely become real again, with difficulty, but it will,” the guys assure.