National memory and idea of unity as perceived by YSU students

At the YSU Charles Aznavour Cultural Center, an ethnographic performance titled "The Armenian" was held at the initiative of the Student Council’s Culture Committee. The aim of the event was to re-evaluate and emphasize patriotism, national self-consciousness, and the recognition of cultural heritage. Through the performance, the rich and multifaceted world of national culture—its traditions, characters, and historical memory—was vividly brought to life.

Erik Baghdasaryan, Chair of the Culture Committee of the YSU Student Council, emphasized that the performance was organized within the framework of events dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Leonid Azgaldyan Combat Training Club.

According to him, the core theme of the performance was the Armenian character—its strength, resilience, and the importance placed on family values.

"We portrayed a woman who stands by her husband during wartime, and a grandmother who cares for the family. Through the performance, we sought to show what defines us as a nation and to present the path our people have taken," he noted.

Serob Serobyan, President of the Leonid Azgaldyan Combat Training Club, stated that the "advisor" and source of inspiration for the performance was the figure of Azgaldyan himself.

"Leonid Azgaldyan is one of those Armenians who should be emulated. We thoroughly studied his biography and sought to shape a collective image that embodies all our heroes," he emphasized.

The participants in the performance were students from various YSU faculties, united around one single idea.

"We are all members of the Student Council, representing different faculties. After classes, we stayed until late in the evening rehearsing. For us, this is not only a story about Armenian heritage, but also about friendship, unity, and solidarity," the chair of the Student Council's Culture Committee stressed.

Erik Baghdasaryan added that they aim to organize at least one such event each semester, considering the long preparatory process involved. At the same time, a national dance club operates, where students learn dances from different regions during weekly training sessions.

At the end of the performance, the students danced the military dance Karno Kochari, symbolically underscoring the idea of becoming one unity, one front, and one strength.