Khosrov Harutyunyan on the Spitak earthquake: “The tragedy has become a rallying point for the people”

At the Gyumri garrison of the Southern Military District (SMD) in Armenia, Russian servicemen honoured the victims of the Spitak earthquake and held commemorative events marking the anniversary of the disaster that occurred in Armenia on December 7, 1988.

“I remember those terrible days very well. I remember how the tragedy has become a rallying point for the people. Everyone helped each other, absolutely everyone was aware that anyone could need your help. And it was very touching – everyone’s desire to do their best to give the victims hope. According to official figures, there were 25,000 victims, but I think there were more... Very many people offered their homes to complete strangers, the calamity touched everyone,” recalls Armenian state and political figure Khosrov Harutyunyan. 

The soldiers were joined by family members, representatives of the diplomatic corps, students of the Russian Defence Ministry’s school in Gyumri and members of the Young Army Cadets National Movement. They took part in rallies to commemorate the victims of the earthquake and laid flowers at the monument Innocent Victims, Merciful Hearts and the monument to Soviet soldiers who participated in the earthquake relief effort.

“What’s encouraging is that the whole Soviet Union came to the rescue at the time. There were so many Russians there, it became a truly universal grief. I remember when Charles Aznavour and Georges Garvarentz wrote the song Pour toi Arménie. It was incredibly moving! So many years have passed, and the Armenians are still treating with a lot of respect those who lost their loved ones back then,” said Khosrov Harutyunyan.

As you may recall, one of the most devastating earthquakes occurred in Armenia on December 7, 1988. A series of tremors destroyed the city of Spitak within 30 seconds and caused severe damage to the cities of Leninakan (now Gyumri), Kirovakan (Vanadzor) and Stepanavan. A total of 21 cities and towns and 350 villages were affected.

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