“Once there is hope, there will be prosperity”
A large crowd of people had gathered in the territory of Republic Square before the beginning of today's military parade dated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence. Most of them had arrived at the square early in the morning ‘to take convenient places' before the festive ceremony.
The roads leading to the square were closed, causing huge traffic jams in downtown Yerevan. The internal forces made pedestrians walk on the pavements. To switch to the opposite sidewalk, people had to cross pedestrian crosswalks [zebra crossings], which was accounted for security reasons.
There were policemen standing along the central streets, all pavements were fenced with metal wires. The flow of people increased with the commencement of the parade, however, few were able to see or hear anything for the capacity of loudspeakers did not allow speakers to be heard in the neighbourhood.
Only those sitting in the first rows enjoyed the parade and people began to disperse in the middle of the ceremony.
"I wish I had stayed at home and watched the parade on TV," said a passer-by.
Many confessed that they had come to the square in high spirits and with great expectations.
"Our forefathers dreamed to live in independent Armenia. It is already 20 years we are independent. There are difficulties but I believe that we shall be able to surmount them," said pensioner Hrach Yeranosyan.
"May Armenians live in permanent peace and prosperity," said Shushan Margaryan whose son joined the army three months ago.
"We must ensure continued progress in the country but to do this we need new working places and possibility to show our potential," said Gayane Khachatryan adding that younger generation can be talked against emigration by instilling in them hope and confidence for the future.
