Former Minister of Diaspora of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan posted the following on her Facebook page:

“No to barbarity!

I would never image that, alongside the brave sons of the Armenian nation who became heroes and sacrificed their lives for the homeland, there can be such barbarians who can destroy the Alley of Benefactors that was established in Yerevan a decade ago and crush and steal the busts of great Armenians.

Vandalism is characteristic of the Turks who are currently desecrating shrines and monuments in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Armenians don’t destroy, they create. The vandals are not Armenians…They are criminals.

For years, the Alley of Benefactors was not only a pleasant place for taking walks, but had also become a place for pilgrimages where Armenian schoolchildren would learn and never forget lessons of patriotism, nationalism, kindness and humanism.

The children would admire the brilliance, business talent and charities of Mantashyants and Aramyants, as well as the exceptional diplomacy of Calouste Gulbenkian and his achievements in the oil industry. They would listen to stories about Alex Manoogian’s programs for preservation of the Armenian identity, the Lazaryan Brothers’ tremendous efforts for strengthening of the friendly ties between Russia and Armenia and the activities of dedicated son of the Armenian nation, public and political figure, great benefactor and founder of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Boghos Noubar.

No matter how much they try to destroy the Alley of Benefactors and erase the historical memory of the Armenian people, our Great Armenians have their place and role in the history of the Armenian people.

Armenian benefactors are immortal with their pro-national acts and undeniable merit, and the young generation of Armenians will continue to be educated with their examples and grow up with national values.”