On March 25, 2013, on the initiative of "Asparez" Journalists' Club, freedom of speech day was celebrated for the fifth time in the second city of Armenia - Gyumri. The steering committee for holding the celebration gave awards to seven people and organizations for their significant contribution in usage and protection of freedom of speech and for journalistic work. Citizen Lena Nazaryan received a special award for public activity, and for active participation in a number of public initiatives by Shirak branch office of A. D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Center and the Armenian Evangelical Church.

The special award Lena Nazaryan received was a real pick given by Seyran Martirosyan, the Head of Shirak branch of A. D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Center. In his words Lena Nazaryan was awarded for picking at European so called "democracy." In fact, for Lena it was more important that she received the award in Gyumri, since it was Gyumri that amazed her and gave her hope recently, and it was Gyumri residents that stirred up enthusiasm.

Freedom of speech day was launched in Gyumri, when due to nationwide fundraising campaign the only independent television station, GALA TV was saved from bankruptcy after being unfairly targeted by tax authorities in Armenia. The tax authorities demanded paying a debt of 27 million AMD fines from GALA TV, the only television station that at that time dared to cover opposition leader Levon-Ter Petrosyan's address on the eve of 2008 presidential elections. After a week-long telemarathon about 26 million AMD was raised which was paid as fines to avoid shutting down GALA TV.

From that day on March 25 was earmarked as freedom of speech day on the initiative of "Asparez" Journalists' Club. Within the framework of freedom of speech day journalists, public figures, publicists, human rights advocates, bloggers, mass media, websites, etc. receive annual awards. This time the steering committee for holding the celebration received over 40 suggestions from public.