Epress.am News from Armenia
Large-scale events were taking place on both sides of the Alexander Spendiaryan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan today, in France Square and Liberty Square.
Speaking in French Square were the Presidents of Armenia and France, Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarkozy respectively, while in Liberty Square, the voices of opposition activists Nikol Pashinyan and Aram Manukyan could be heard.
Many school-age and university students were encouraged (and even brought) to attend the unveiling ceremony of an Auguste Rodin statue in France Square. The flags of Armenia and France were distributed and many could be seen holding one of each in their hands.
A small portion of those students came to Liberty Square while the event in France Square was still underway, while this number increased after the official ceremony with the two heads of state wrapped up. They had also brought with them the posters they were holding in France Square.
The children and youth could be seen dancing traditional Armenian circle dances with opposition activists and supporters.
Afterwards, Nikol Pashinyan once again took the mic and addressed the newcomers:
“We want the criminals who seized power to bear responsibility. We want Armenian citizens to consider themselves dignified. We want everyone in Armenia to be equal before the law. Our struggle is for a free and joyful Armenia. We have promised all the citizens of Armenia that we are going to fight for that goal till the end.”