Border guards of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) have begun issuing new entry and exit stamps without the image of Mount Ararat, a long-standing national symbol deeply tied to Armenian identity.
The new stamps, which came into use on November 1, now feature only an airplane and the word “Zvartnots” – the name of Yerevan’s international airport – alongside the words “Armenia” written in both Armenian and English.
Images and videos of the updated stamps quickly spread across Armenian social media, sparking a wave of emotional reactions and political criticism.
A quiet change with political resonance
The Armenian government approved the removal of Mount Ararat’s image from official border stamps on September 11, just one day before the visit of Serdar Kılıç, Turkey’s special representative for normalization talks with Armenia.
The timing of the decision has fueled speculation and backlash from opposition parties, who accuse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of pursuing a “pro-Turkish agenda.”
“A national symbol erased”
Critics say that removing Ararat from state insignia – even in such a symbolic form – undermines the cultural and historical consciousness of the Armenian people.
“Mount Ararat has been a symbol of Armenian civilization for millennia,” opposition figures argue.
“It appeared on the coat of arms of Soviet Armenia and remains on the current state emblem, even though the mountain lies within modern-day Turkey.”
Supporters of the move, however, say the decision was administrative rather than ideological, aimed at avoiding diplomatic sensitivities with Turkey and streamlining the design of official documents.
Between symbolism and pragmatism
The controversy reflects a wider identity struggle in Armenia, where every gesture toward Turkey or Azerbaijan is met with suspicion and accusations of betrayal.
While the government seeks to position itself as a pragmatic regional actor pursuing peace and normalization, critics view such steps as gradual erosion of national pride.
For now, the new border stamps without Ararat are already in circulation – and the debate over what symbols Armenia should preserve or let go is far from over.
