Out of Horror, Hope: Twenty years of survival in Gyumri

Khanuma was born on December 7, 1988. She was one of the 17 babies who were born in Gyumri that day. These were the first of the generation who have now grown up in the "disaster zone" or the "recovery zone" in a city forced by nature to rebuild and recreate itself. "Today, we live in a new Gyumri," [Khanuma] says. "We didn't see the earthquake, but we were immediate bearers of its consequences. We, who could have spent our childhood in more colorful conditions, didn't have that opportunity, but still we love our city. And now I want one thing - to see a more prosperous and completely rebuilt Gyumri." "This city has energy of its own. Even though it was destroyed and ruined, it still calls you. I am convinced that if the '88 quake happened in some other European city, people would have left it long ago and would not live there now," [Samvel Tonoyan] says. "But see what strong will Gyumri people have? Today they are building up the city. Even many who continue to live in metal makeshift houses still do not leave the city."