The monument “We are our mountains” is one of the most famous symbols of Artsakh. It is known to many as “Grandfather-Grandmother” (Mamik and Papik in Western Armenian).

The Tufakert Monument is located at the entrance of the city of Stepanakert, on a high hill. It was erected in 1967. The sculptor is Sargis Baghdasaryan, the architect is Yuri Hakobyan. The sculpture is made of red tuff. It symbolizes the blood bond between the roots of the Artsakh land and people, as well as the unwavering will of the Artsakh people to preserve family values and life.

The monument depicts an elderly Karabakh couple, dressed in traditional costumes, greeting thousands of visitors at the entrance of the city with a proud and unyielding attitude and a serious look.

The monument has no base. It gives the impression that the hill has been broken and that they have emerged from the crack and stood with their feet firmly planted in their homeland.

The sculpture was named “We are our mountains” by Bagrat Ulubabyan, Armenian writer, historian, doctor of historical sciences, poet, novelist and playwright.

According to Mamikon Farsyan, one of the famous architects of Artsakh, the monument was erected under very difficult conditions. The leadership of Soviet Baku opposed the construction of the monument. In addition, a complaint was filed against the installation of this sculpture near the city of Stepanakert. The idea to have it as a monument at the entrance of Stepanakert was born in these years with the direct participation of the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Nagorno Karabakh Regional Council, Mushegh Ohanyan.

The monument is the first monument in the world built in honor of long life. In other words, this monument is also called the Monument of the Living.