Statue Honoring Four-Day War Hero Robert Abajyan Unveiled at Yerevan School

A statue honoring Four-Day War hero Robert Abajyan was unveiled in the courtyard of Yerevan School No. 147 during a solemn ceremony held on Armenian Army Day.

Robert Abajyan was one of the most widely remembered Armenian soldiers of the April 2016 Four-Day War. He became known across Armenia and the diaspora for his steadfast defense of his position under heavy attack. During the fighting, Azerbaijani forces demanded that Armenian troops withdraw, but Abajyan responded over military radio communications with words that later spread widely, showing his refusal to surrender and his readiness to stand until the end. That brief message, delivered while he was surrounded, turned him into a symbol of resistance and loyalty to the homeland. He was killed in battle shortly afterward and was later posthumously awarded Armenia’s highest honors, including the title “Hero of Artsakh.”

The ceremony at School No. 147 brought together school officials, teachers, relatives of fallen soldiers, students, and guests who gathered to remember Abajyan’s life and sacrifice.

The school’s principal, Margarita Hovhannisyan, said in her speech that the date was chosen with care so the ceremony would coincide with a day dedicated to the armed forces. She described the monument as a lasting lesson for students and spoke about courage, patriotism, peace, and unity, stressing that Abajyan’s example should guide new generations.

Teachers at the school explained that the statue was created to preserve the memory of Abajyan and to remind students of the price paid by those who defended the homeland. They said the monument represents not only stone and bronze, but also faith, devotion, and a promise that the names of fallen heroes will never fade. They added that Abajyan, who was posthumously awarded the title “Hero of Artsakh,” would continue to inspire young people with lessons of duty, honor, and dignity, and with hope for a strong and peaceful country.

During the ceremony, Abajyan’s grandmother, Anaida Gevorgyan, spoke about how Armenian boys grow up with the examples of young men who gave their lives in war. She said that such soldiers defended the homeland with their blood and left behind a responsibility for future generations to protect the land and water with the same devotion.

Another speaker was Lidia Arushanyan, daughter of David Arushanyan, who was also awarded the title “Hero of Artsakh” and who studied at School No. 147. She said that the values for which Robert Abajyan, her father, and other fallen soldiers died continue to live within the school’s walls. She spoke about the importance of telling their stories and reminding students that these heroes were ordinary young people of the present day who had dreams and loved life, yet chose to defend others at the cost of their own.

After speeches, flowers were laid at the base of the statue. Students also took part in the event, remembering former graduates of the same school—Arsen Muradyan, Hayk Antonyan, Babken Grigoryan, and Harutyun Semerjyan—who were killed during the 44-day war in 2020.

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