Shirakamut

The ruins of Shirakamut's old church.

Gravestones for schoolchildren who died together in the earthquake.

The earthquake memorial in front of the mayor's office in Shirakamut.

Ashot Yeranosyan, the current mayor of Shirakamut.

Shirakamut's current church.

A religious memorial dedicated to a family's lost son.

The Story of a Village

The village of Shirakamut, situated on the road between Spitak and Gyumri, was the closest settlement to the earthquake’s epicenter. Shirakamut, like Spitak, was completely destroyed. All that remains from before the earthquake are crumbling stone walls from the village’s old church. During our visit, the mayor graciously gave us a tour, narrating the history of the town and its inhabitants.