Book honoring fallen hero Haykaz Mkrtchyan presented in Yerevan

A memorial book dedicated to Haykaz Mkrtchyan, an Armenian soldier who was killed during the 2020 Artsakh war, was presented in Yerevan on Thursday.

The book brings together memories shared by Mkrtchyan’s family, friends, fellow servicemen and commanders, painting a vivid picture of his life and military service. It includes reflections from his childhood and teenage years, as well as recollections from his chess companions and brothers-in-arms, highlighting his character, worldview and devotion to his homeland.

Speaking at the presentation, Mkrtchyan’s mother, Anna Mkrtchyan, said the idea for the book came from a note found among her son’s belongings.

“When they brought Hayk’s bag from the military unit, we found a sentence in his notebook saying he wanted to write a book and become famous,” she said. “His sister, Arevik, decided that book would be written.”

She added that the book truly reflects her son’s personality.

Anna Mkrtchyan also recalled her son’s statements during the war: “I don’t understand what is happening. We want to move forward, but we are not allowed. We must move forward. I don’t understand what is happening. I don’t want to lose Karabakh before my eyes. It makes me want to cry.”

A documentary film about the hero soldier’s life and his participation in two wars was also screened during the event.

Mkrtchyan was drafted into the Armenian army on January 23, 2019. During the 44-day war, he served in some of the most intense combat zones, taking part in defense battles in Jrakan, Taghavard, Drakhtik, Azokh, and the Karmir Shuka area, among others. He was wounded in a drone strike on Karmir Shuka.

He last spoke with his parents on October 29, telling them he would call again later that evening. They never heard from him again. After multiple unanswered calls, his family began searching for information.

On October 31, his 20th birthday, his parents found him at Muratsan Hospital in Yerevan, where he was in a coma with severe injuries. For several days, doctors reported signs of improvement, but his condition worsened on November 8.

Haykaz Mkrtchyan passed away on November 9, after 12 days in critical condition.