I was born and live in Stepanakert. I love Karabakh because it is my homeland. I was born and live here. My parents and grandparents, as well as their grandparents were also born here (you probably know that our country has been one of Armenia’s states since ancient times and was called Artsakh). I have many friends who also love their homeland…but my letter to you regards another issue.

Like many people, I also have problems and try to solve them as much as possible. I think of many things in my free time, including life, happiness, my fellow Armenians living far away and their countries.

At night, I look up at the stars and think whether there is another planet far away from us or not and whether there are people living there or not…My grandfather says he used to look at the stars at nights and think of the same thing when he was a child…I also think of my fellow Armenians, especially those who have seen more bitter things in life rather than happiness. I would like everyone to live a good life without any problems.

Mr. President, I am amazed every time I watch television, read or listen to stories about the greats. You only speak of Karabakh and the war, but you don’t think of anything else. It seems as though there are no other problems that concern you.

I have never seen an Azeri and don’t think of you or your country. My parents also don’t think of you and your country…I can’t understand what you want from our country. I have heard that you have never been to Karabakh, haven’t seen our Gandzasar, Dadivank and Amaras, but you keep thinking of conquering our country. Don’t you have enough lands? Why do you need Karabakh? My grandfather has told me that before the war, even 50 or 100 years ago, when there were Azeri here and they were dying, they were taken out of Karabakh and buried in their real homeland because they knew that this was not their land. That is why there are practically no tombs of Azeri here…

My father participated in the Azeri-Karabakh war. I haven’t seen war, but the elders have told me that it is a horrible thing and I would never like to see it. I am certain that no Azeri child would like to see war either. However, our elders keep telling us that they will defend our land in case another war breaks out. One of my friends says if they don’t let him take a weapon, he will help the elders like the French Gavrosh and defend our homeland. I will also help my parents as much as I can…

Elders and different people have told me how it all happened. Artsakhis held a peaceful protest and said they wanted our homeland Artsakh to be united with Mother Armenia because Azerbaijan was a foreign country and a leader by the name of Stalin had given our land to Azerbaijan 70 years ago. In response to that, your compatriots started massacring Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku and other cities and exiling Armenians from their homes. As if that wasn’t enough, your father waged a war against my native Artsakh. Even though it was a powerful war and he had many soldiers and tanks, Azerbaijan was defeated.

I have asked the elders how was it that a powerful force lost, to which they have responded that it is becuase Armenians have defended their land and the Azeri have attacked to conquer the land, take away lives and freedom…

If you unleash a war to conquer our country, the entire Armenian nation will unite as one to defend the land. However, I am certain that if you unleash a war, you, your children and your friends will not participate in that war, but will send average Azerbaijani youth. I know that if a war breaks out, most of us, even women and children, may die and many children may remain as orphans. However, that war will also take the lives of thousands of Azerbaijani youth and many Azerbaijani children will remain as orphans as well. Is that what you want? Is that why you keep thinking of war and conquering Karabakh…?

If you have so much money, why do you keep purchasing arms? With that money you can create living conditions so that your people (especially those who have become refugees due to the war unleashed by your father) to live happily and not have any problems. Is that good, or sending soldiers to the battlefield…?

I would really like you to respond to my letter and honestly say why you want to conquer my homeland, which isn’t yours.

Adelina Avagimyan
13 years old, Stepanakert, NKR