Armenia's New Year Eve and Food

New Year Eve is still a big celebration time in Armenia, a nice close family gathering, keeping together, sharing last minutes of the past year.  It's a lofty moment, as there is an Armenian saying and belief: "The mood you start the New Year will last through the whole year round".   People even try to close their dept, apologize and stay away from arguments.
Closer to 12:00am all the family is already around the table full of national Armenian food: tolma, ham, qufta, lavash, multiple salads, fruits, nuts and more. Food is plenty. It is not for the number of people around the table. The food is for as many guests, as possible to the size of table and the room.

Banakum on Shant TV

Very very popular Banakum comedy on Shant TV on YouTube.  People love to watch these young soldiers struggle through 2 years of army service :) Taste of dialects from allover Armenia, characters, humors and jokes make the movie so pleasant for children and adults.

Especially teenagers just love this funny serial.  They repeat what was told on the serials and sing the Banamuk song "Zinvorner enq menq!!!". 

All the series of the movie are available on YouTube, these funny stories about Armenian soldiers.

Tatev Tramway was Breathtaking

Susan and Liz wanted to see the new developments in the Southern Corridor of Armenia, where Tatev Revival project is taking place. We drove all the way from Ijevan to Goris, to overnight for the purpose. What happened in Ijevan, is a different story, I will share it in another post.  We took Salim Mountains pass, where the caravansary is.  14th century "hotel and restaurant" setting! I will write about it too.

Next day we started at about 10am.  When we were boarding, Susan wanted to get in to cabin as soon as possible, to take the front view.  However, we were late and took the back seats. Not happy?  Yes :) However, it was amazing!  You know, we took the world longest tramway; 5.7-kilometer (3.54-mile).

Anapat from the tramway

Halidzor was down there and all the other rural areas, villages. Anapat (desert) where the Armenian scholars used to read, pray and write in isolation. They say now the villagers of this areas can take the tramway for free.  For the rest of us it costs 3000AMD ($8).  Group leaders have free pass, too.

The cabin was full, we even had a wonderful baby boy, who was sleepy and crying :)

Halidzor

 You see desert and Halidzor village? Like from the helicopter, correct?

Was very windy and the cabin was swinging on the down slopes. Tjey say, it is safe and strong construction. Mondays they stop for maintenance. 

It took us 11 minutes to get to Tatev Monastery. Do you see it? 9th century Monastery a UNESCO World Heritage candidate.

Tatev Monastery from the tramway

Garni Will Welcome Guests at the New Visitor Center

On Friday 25th of March they opened their doors in Garni.  This was a joint project between the Ministry of Economy and UNESCO office.  The Garni Visitors' Center is in the House of Culture, on a small square, about 200 meters away from the temple.  After the presentation we toured in the area.

First we visited the temple, which also now has a crafts store and booths with goodies and sweets made by the locals.  The gates were crowded with Iranian, was windy and cold.  The gorge was magnificent, as always.  Now entrance ticket is required for getting in.

Next stop was at Geghard, where the priest was uncomfortable with the crowd of Iranian, who had to be shown how to behave in the Monastery.  The local people here were ready too, with the music, goodies and crafts, even the crafts seller speaking Persian language :)

Our guide was Alina, "garnetsi", mean from Garni, and she was brilliant.  Vaghinak, the head of the Visitors' Center prepared another show for us: lavash-baking, and which was more important for hungry people, - eating barbecue and fish. The dinner was decorated by the "Shvi player" and Priest singing Komitas.

Success and green way to the Garni Visitors' Center.  This was a nice and also promising start.

Vatel School of Tourism Management in Yerevan !

Vatel students obtain national university degree, which is recognized worldwide.  This is significant and noteworthy accomplishment for Armenia.  Institute Vatel is the best institute in France and the second in Europe. The School of Hotel and Tourism Business Management awarded World Prize of Hospitality in the category “The best learning program”.  Now you can study in Yerevan and graduate from an international school.

Armenian Institute of Tourism had signed agreement of cooperation with Vatel, International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management.  Vatel is a leading business school, created over 25 years ago, recognized in the tourism industry and with seven campuses across Europe.  Vatel employment rate is very high, it is more than 90%.



"We are ready to accept 15 students which will be taught by new educational program agreed by the French institute”, said Minasyan in the article.

Citizens of Armenia will pay 2 thousand EURO, citizens of CIS countries – 4 thousand and citizens of other countries - minimum 4 thousand EURO. The payment is less than in France where it makes 10-12 thousand EURO annually.

Call for more information 374 10 520-530

Stefani's Armenia: Yerevan!

KSEE's Stefani Booroojian was in Armenia first time. Sweet, warm, excited... Her voice sounded deep, wheezy.  She and her companions photographer George Garnica and producer Paul Chaderjian had finished their journey in Armenia.

She was in Ararat Restaurant, when I first met her: she was tired, but satisfied. I enjoyed learning from her of what she thought Armenia looks like. She shared her impressions about her trip in series of TV shows.
Here's  her first story...

Crafts People in Vernissage

The outdoor market is located right next to the Republic Square, active only on the weekends, colorful, crowded, live.  Vernissage attracts almost every visitor of Yerevan.
This is where you see the talented people, displaying their amazing handiwork right on the ground or on wooden stands.  The buzz of the negotiators exclamations and discussions in different languages occupies the atmosphere.  There people not only make their living, they create and maintain the taste of the craftsmanship, making the whole experience historical and personal, real and ancient at the same time.

They also learned English and you can hear them telling the price of an item and bargaining and arguing the value of their merchandise.  
There are dolls with Armenian national costumes, silver and gold jewelry, nativities made from wood and obsidian (a glass-stone), chess, vessels, large and small statues, embroideries, toys, carpets...

Visiting Vernissage is a must, if one is interested in people, interaction, fun, buying great gits and taking warm memories of  Yerevan capital life.