How Armenia is partying its way to a revolution
- Text by Ian McNaught Davis
- Photography by Ian McNaught Davis
On April 17 this year, Serzh Sargsyan was declared prime minister of Armenia. He was given the role just one day after stepping down as president – a position which he had held in the country for the maximum limit of 10 years.
The switch in job titles prompted mass demonstrations in the capital of Yerevan. The protests – which were sparked by the leader of the opposition party, Nikol Pashinyan – saw Armenians unite against the pro-Putin Sargsyan through peaceful marches, street parties and civil disobedience.
From April 17 to April 23, Yerevan was soundtracked by a continual cacophony of drawling vuvuzelas and blaring car hooters. Protesters, many of whom were in their late teens and early 20s, danced in the streets while calling for Sargsyan’s retirement. “This is the sound of revolution!” yelled Hrach, a student and protestor.
If the sound of revolution emulated a city in post-World Cup victory ecstasy, the sights resembled a flash mob. Protesters perpetually walked back and forth on pedestrian crossings to disrupt traffic – turning Yerevan into a gridlocked maze of marching, dancing and singing.
The demonstrations have proven – at least for the time being – to be a success. On April 23, Sargasyan stepped down from the role. “Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was wrong,” he said in the statement. “The struggle in the streets is against my tenure. I’m fulfilling your demand.”
“The dictatorship is gone!” Gagik Baghramyan, a businessman from Yerevan, told Huck as the news broke. “This is a day that every Armenian will remember for the rest of their lives.”
With the announcement of Armenia’s next prime minister on May 8, it’s likely that Nikol Pashinyan – the leader of the colourful and effective protests – will become prime minister. If this happens, the peaceful demonstrations will have resulted in a revolution in the true sense of the word.
“There is still a lot to do – but the most important step has already been made,” added Baghramyan. “We won – with our unity and our open hands raised above our heads. Love won! Kindness won!”
Follow Ian McNaught-Davis on Twitter.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
We are young trans people occupying Wes Streeting’s office
Following the Health Secretary’s decision to permanently ban puberty blockers for young Trans people, activists from Trans Kids Deserve Better have occupied the space outside his constituency office writes Grin.
Written by: Grin, Trans Kids Deserve Better
Have capitalists killed the internet?
At the start of the century, the internet was an escape from reality. Now, reality is an escape from the internet writes Huck Newsletter columnist Emma Garland.
Written by: Emma Garland
Why I’m taking action for rent control
On Saturday 14th December, people from across London will march to demand action on skyrocketing rents explains London Renters Union member Elyem Chej.
Written by: Elyem Chej
A portrait of love and loss in America today
‘Still Life: Photographs & Love Stories’ (Anthology Editions) is an intimate visual memoir of family, kinship, and community.
Written by: Miss Rosen
First acts for Boomtown 2025 revealed
Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, Azealia Banks and Nia Archives join Sean Paul, The Wurzels and Boney M at the award winning festival.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Sarah Jaffe: “The sense of anger amongst some men is masking a form of grief”
Our latest ‘Daddy Issues’ column features a raw and powerful interview with the American author exploring grief as a prism through which to understand the world and the people, systems, relationships and communities within it in.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian