The period from April 13th to May 8th 2018 is known as the Velvet Revolution in Armenia.
It is a political and social phenomenon that came into being shortly before the third consecutive election of Republican Party’s Serzh Sargsyan (64) as the country Prime Minister.
The series of protests, led by opposition’s leader Nikol Pashinyan (43), involving the civil population on a massive scale, resulted into the official resignation of Sargsyan on April 23rd.
The demonstrations gained the definition of “velvet” due to their overall peaceful nature, well-organized structure, and the almost total absence of violent episodes.
Although the Velvet Revolution involved many participants from different categories of the Armenian society, the youngsters - mostly aged 15 to 25 - were the real protagonists.
Since the very beginning, through both social medias and word of mouth, they organized group meetings, proving great skills in self-management.
To the cry of #MerzhirSerzhin(#RejectSerzh), high school and university students marched in the streets, blocking every entrance to the city centre by placing trash bins and benches in the middle of the road, as well as by peacefully laying on the ground, listening to their peers singing or playing music.
The Velvet Revolution is responsible for having brought significant changes within Armenia’s political and social structure, which are still struggling for stability since its independence from the Soviet Union (1991). After the election of opposition’s leader Nikol Pashinyan on May 8th 2018, the country entered a promising era. The new Prime Minister has been engaging in various governmental activities and the citizens still look up to him as their trustworthy leader, following his steps on his official Facebook page.
Amendments are being implemented, new trade agreements are being drafted, rusty work structures are being changed and salaries raised.
Developments can be experienced even in the sphere of personal relationships, where people seem to have gained a renewed faith in the future and in one another.
