Author: Ian McNmad

Sixty-year-dated Angela Rustamova still usually do not forget one to go out inside 1975. She was a teen, thinking about their unique beau, Vagif, an ethnic Azerbaijani out-of Georgia, and you will counting the days up to however head to her within her home town off Alaverdi, Armenia.

She had learned extreme concerning one or two nations’ earlier in the day variations she claims. “In the shops, roadway or any other public facilities, I became usually arguing having Azerbaijanis visiting Armenia because I found myself too young,” she continues on.

No Boundaries: An Armenian-Azerbaijani Love Story

However, all Pagadian bride that altered whenever she found Vagif Rustamov during the brand new Alaverdi bazaar, a place where ethnic Azerbaijanis out-of Georgiawould commonly visited shop.

Within her husband’s community out-of Sadakhlo, a mainly ethnic Azerbaijani payment inside Georgia not far from the present-big date Armenian border, the couple discovered each other’s language and you will found accept for each and every other people’s faith. It popular one another Novruz, new Azerbaijani escape hence scratching the start of springtime, and you may Nakhatsenendyan Toner, the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Xmas Eve.

“I understand Azerbaiova shares. “After i married, We saw we are very equivalent in how closely knit household try.”

“Both regions claim that lavash and overflowing leaves known as dolma end up in them. The society and you can living are very alongside each other,” claims Rustamova, whom phone calls the fresh cooking debate “ridiculous.”

However, because the conflict between Azerbaijan and you will Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh bankrupt call at the fresh new late eighties, the new couple’s life turned more difficult.

Certain Sadakhlo villagers started initially to stress Vagif Rustamov in order to splitting up their spouse. Of many relatives and several residents presumably advised him to transmit their unique returning to Armenia.

“Perhaps the community user of one’s exec department [out-of bodies] kicked towards the all of our door and you will wanted me to divorce or separation,” Rustamova recollects. The couple picked not to whine in regards to the official’s conclusion, she states.

“People who had been convinced we would never be best for for each and every most other altered its heads. Really don’t resent them. They simply didn’t accept that we might getting thus happier together. However, I’m glad that our love features beat what you.”

Up to his death 90 days in the past at chronilogical age of 74, Rustamova nursed their unique diabetic partner thanks to a couple of toes amputations, cardio procedures and cirrhosis of the liver.

Immediately after their dying, Rustamova may have gone back to Armenia, but she sees given that their own genuine domestic the 2-storey home the happy couple shared inside the Opreti, a community close by Sadakhlo. Rustamov’s photo hang every where there.

“I am able to return to Armenia, but I don’t have to come back,” she says. “I have had plenty of memory that have Vagif right here. Really don’t need certainly to hop out them. I want to pass away here . ”

Childless, she today lives by herself. Each and every day, she can their veggie crops, do housework right after which minds to the store within her basement in which she deal good fresh fruit, create, tobacco and you can chacha, the latest strong Georgian alcohol produce.

“I understand Armenian brides residing Azerbaijan who happen to be however there,” she claims. “He has got quit the members of the family and lived in Azerbaijan. They cannot find the moms and dads, cousin, siblings or other friends. He has an extremely difficult lives.”

Rustamova, which observe both Armenian and you can Azerbaijani Television, believes one to “not the case tales” pass on from the both regions merely worsen the newest separate between them.

“We have to check out the long term and you will tranquility can be restored, so as that no body commonly perish and you can household will never be separated.”

Advice away from her very own pleased relationship still haunt her. She has maybe not ready once the their husband’s passing and you can thinks of him every night before she falls sleeping.