A Viking with an Armenian heart: A 72-year-old warrior`s memorial  march in honor of fallen heroes across Europe

ArmInfo. No one will argue that heroism is when you voluntarily defend your homeland with arms in hand in the name of its freedom. It's even more heroic to  have lived through all the wars your homeland has endured. And how  can it be considered heroic when a person of a completely different  nationality defends the freedom and independence of a country?

Having found himself in Armenia by chance in the 1980s, Estonian  Felix Burman stayed here forever - he got married, raised his  children in Armenia, learned the language, and received citizenship.  He became deeply rooted in his love for the Armenian land and its  people. Each time he selflessly took up arms, the Estonian, known to  many as "Viking," not only defended Armenian land but also mentored  and inspired young warriors. Felix Burman is now 72 years old, and  after such a difficult life, he decided to pay tribute to the memory  of all fallen Armenian soldiers. He decided to commemorate those with  whom he walked shoulder to shoulder, those who never returned, with a  memorial march across Europe.

Dressed in a military uniform with his military decorations, the  Estonian Viking flew to Vienna, Austria, on October 9th. From there  he plans to walk to Switzerland, then France, Germany, Poland,  Latvia, and finally to his historical homeland, Estonia. He estimates  that the entire journey will take more than two months.  Burman plans  to devote 18 hours a day to the journey. The rest of the time, he  paints, sells them to earn a living, and communicates with people,  including Armenians from the Diaspora. Bruman plans to tell people he  meets about his comrades in arms, the heroes of the Artsakh wars, and  visit Armenian churches to light candles in memory of all the fallen  soldiers.

In some cities, people will meet him and help him with lodging and  food; in others, he plans to sleep outdoors. A true warrior, Burman  admitted that he sees no risks for himself and is ready to undertake  this difficult journey, despite his age.

"You can serve the country where you live not only with weapons, but  also with your actions," the Estonian said in a recent interview.   His longtime friend Artur Nzhdeh (an athlete and author of the book  CROSSFIT HAYASTAN) helped Burman realize this idea. Nzhdeh has been  updating his social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram) on the  Viking's condition and location. Those wishing to provide financial  assistance, food, or lodging can contact Arthur Nzhdeh, who has been  in constant contact with Felix Burman throughout the memorial march.

It's noteworthy that Burman himself doesn't speak of his heroism; he  simply calls Armenia his home, and its pain, apparently, his own. His  story is more about choice, dedication, loyalty, and gratitude. It's  about how love for one's homeland is determined not by birthright,  but by spirit. His feat isn't a gesture of glory, but rather of  gratitude, a manifestation of a soldier's honor and human loyalty.