May 28 - Day of Republic Marked in Sardarapat

Sardarapat Museum

The Sardarapat Museum and Memorial is the site of a last-ditch battle in 1918 between the nascent Republic of Armenia and the forces of the Ottoman Empire, who wished to reclaim Yerevan, Gyumri (then Alexandropol) and Tbilisi. The Armenians won, ensuring the survival of the nation and the people.The Catholicos, deeply saddened by the suffering of his people, ordered the bells of the mother church in Etchmiadzin as well as the bells of all Armenian churches around the country to ring all day, calling his people to come to the aid of their fighting soldiers and to participate in the defense of their fatherland. Yeznik Vartabed took with him a group of young churchmen and members of the congregation of Etchmiadzin and went to the front to fight the invaders.

Sardarapat Museum

Against tremendous odds, and during the haunting backdrop of genocide during the previous few years, Armenia's makeshift army rebuffed the Turkish troops and safeguarded the small portion of historic Armenia, what became the current republic as it stands today. On the grounds of the historic battle one can today visit the Sardarapat Ethnography and Liberation Movement History Museum adjacent to the outdoor monument.

After the Battle of Sardarabad, the Armenian representatives negotiated with the Turks in Tiflis and the independence of a little Armenia was proclaimed. Armenia declared its independence effective from 28 May, 1918.

Sardarapat Museum

Sardarapat Museum

Lavash – Traditional Armenian Bread

Armenian cuisine is quite popular with its traditional bread called lavash. It is flat, thin and soft bread that can be dried and kept for quite a long term. It is the most widespread bread in Armenia and no festive table can be imagined without lavash.

Lavash symbolizes life and wisdom. In ancient times, lavash was used during battles as it lasted long and saved the soldiers from starvation. Mothers cooked lavash, dried it and put in the bags of the soldiers

Let me introduce lavash recipe. Lavash is made of flour, water and salt. You mսst knead the dough well and leave it to rest. Then divide the dough into 300-400 gram pieces and start rolling. The dough of lavash is rolled out flat and then slapped on the hot wall of underground clay oven called tonir. Fresh lavash is easier and suitable for making wrap sandwiches and kebab.

Unlike other kinds of bread, yeast or bread starter aren’t used for making Armenian lavash. That’s why it is healthier and suitable for use during any diet. 

Sometimes villagers of Armeniabake a lot of lavash and stack high in layers to be used in winter, and then when they want to use it, they rehydrate the bread by sprinkling water on it to make it soft again. Dried lavash is also used with Armenian traditional dishcalled Khash. 

The Lovers’ Park, the Everyone’s Park

Photos © Boghossian Gardens

The so-called Pushkin park (situated on Baghramyan avenue) used to be one of the most favorite places for many Yerevanians. Huge trees, green areas, merry-go-rounds, happily screaming children, young mothers with baby carriages and old wooden benches – all these will always remain in the childhood memories of many people.

In the recent years the park was, mildly said, in a poor condition – the merry-go-rounds were silent and the trees stood alone with no children playing hide-and-sick around them.

In 2006 the park was temporarily closed to public, fortunately, for reconstruction works. Posters depicting the new design of the park appeared on Baghramyan avenue. People who had left nice memories in the park, filled with hope and expectations.

In 2009 the park, renamed as the Lover’s Park, was reopened. Soon it became a favorite place not only for lovers. It is just wonderful for evening walks, for meetings with friends and for the first dates.

The new park does not remind the old one, the design is completely modified. Fortunately, the green areas have been preserved. Now they have a more modern look in contrast with the red color of the sand. Several small fountains, waterfalls and a small pond were added to the park, the old benches were replaced with new ones. The most important thing, however, is the warm and welcoming atmosphere that the Lovers’ Park inherited from the old Pushkin Park.

Today different events, festivals, open-air exhibitions are organized in the park. It is also the most popular place for wedding photo-shooting. You will definitely meet a newly-wed couple in the park on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Photos © Boghossian Gardens

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Happy Birthday, Yerevan!!!

On October 14 Yerevan will mark its 2794th anniversary. The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by king Argishti I.

Each year the municipality of Yerevan organizes festive events and celebrations, this year is no exclusion. The festive events will be held on a large scale. The joyful atmosphere of the actions provided for October 14 will spread all over the capital. Various events have been provided on 26 stages. On this day the traffic in the center of the city will be stopped from 08.30.

In accordance with the tradition, the main event of the day which this year has the motto "The capital of my heart" will be held in Republic square at 19.00. Famous foreign groups and singers will take part in the concert part. A bright firework will complete the concert and a disco for young people will follow it.

The events in different parts of the city will start early in the morning and continue till late at night. Below is the list of events of Erebuni-Yerevan 2794 celebrations.

10.00Precession of watering trucks along the streets of Yerevan
11.00 Washing the monuments of Yerevan
12.00-12.30Drama performance (the square adjacent to the Erebuni reserve-museum)
12.30-14.00 Dramatized march of the participants of the event (from the Erebuni museum to Republic square)
11.00-12.00Solemn program of the 185th anniversary of Erivan fortress occupation (Paskevich hill)
14.00-15.00Festive procession (from Russia square to Republic square)
14.00-18.00 Children’s stage (puppet shows, games, clowns, conjurers and fairytale heroes (Children’s park after Kirov)
15.00-18.30Greeting performances of the administrative districts (St. Shahumyan square, Mashtots-Buzand streets junction)
14.00-18.00 Show of retro cars (Mashtots avenue)
14.00-18.00 Biennale (France square)
14.30-18.30 City of masters –ceramics, carpet weaving, embroidery, wood craft (North avenue)
14.30-18.30Karaoke (North avenue)
14.30-18.30 Street ball competitions (North avenue)
14.30-18.30Drama stage (North avenue)
14.30-18.30Circus stage (North avenue)
14.30-18.00Poetry stage (Moscow park)
15.00 Marathon race 2794 meters (from Haghtanak bridge to Matenadaran)
15.30 Cycling (Mashtots avenue)
15.00-17.30Making and advertising video about Yerevan (Mashtots avenue)
15.00-18.00The stage of the nations of the world – performances of the ethnic ensembles of the national minorities living in Armenia (English park, near Sundukyan theatre)
15.00-18.30Pop stage (square after St. Shahumyan)
16.00-18.00Aircraft modelling shows (Azatutyan square)
17.00-19.00Windsurfing show-competitions (Swan lake)
19.00-23.00 Discotheque (Azatutyan square)
19.00-23.00Jazz stage (Cascade complex, Gafeschean fund)
19.00-23.00Rock stage (Charles Aznavour square)
18.00-22.00Classical music stage (the square near the monument to Komitas)
19.00-23.00National music stage (Mashtots-Buzand junction)
19.00-22.00Gala-concert “The capital of my heart” and festive firework (Republic square)
22.10-23.00 Discotheque (Republic square)

An interesting poster devoted to the 2794th anniversary of Yerevan

Did you know?

1. The two most discussed theories on the origin of “Yerevan” are:

 - The city is named after the Armenian king Yervand IV, the last leader of the Orontid Dynasty and founder of the city of Yervandashat
 - “Yerevan” is a derivation from an expression exclaimed by Noah. While looking in the direction of Yerevan, after the ark had landed on Mount Ararat and the flood waters had receded, Noah is believed to have exclaimed “Yerevats” (“It appeared”).

2. The seal of the city is a crowned lion on a pedestal with the inscription "Yerevan." The lion's head is turned backwards while it holds a scepter using the right front leg, the attribute of power and royalty. The symbol of eternity is on the breast of the lion with a picture of Ararat in the upper part.

3. On 27 September 2004, Yerevan adopted an anthem, "Erebuni-Yerevan", written by Paruyr Sevak and composed by Edgar Hovhanisyan. It was selected in a competition for a new anthem and new flag that would best represent the city. The chosen flag has a white background with the city's seal in the middle, surrounded by twelve small red triangles that symbolize the twelve historic capitals of Armenia. The flag includes the three colors of the Armenian National flag. The lion is portrayed on the orange background with blue edging.

Cascade: the Open-Air Museum

Photos © Cafesjian Center for the Arts

The so-called Cascade complex, located in the center of Yerevan is the favorite place for many Yerevanians, especially the youth. The complex has passed a long and difficult road until it reached us with its today’s look.

The Cascade project was planned by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan (1878–1936), who aimed to make Cascade a bridge between the northern and central parts of the city, decorated with waterfalls and gardens. However, the project was “frozen” until the second half of the 20th century, when Yerevan’s Chief Architect Jim Torosyan restarted it. Some modifications were made to the project and the construction works of the updated plan started in the 1980s. The Armenian earthquake in 1988 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 were also obstacles for the Cascade project.

Garden Terrace, Cascade

The renovations of the complex restarted only in 2002 by Gerard Cafesjian, which resulted in what we have today – the Cascade complex, housing the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

The Cascade complex is indeed the favorite part of Yerevan for many Armenian, offering a whole complex of benefits. It serves as a park for kids, as a place to relax, to read books, an open-air concert hall and an open-air museum. Some of the artworks from the private collection of Mr. Cafesjian are presented outside of the building. 

Each month the Center offers us new pieces of art, making us visit Cascade regularly for latest updates. The collection includes works from by Fernando Botero, François-Xavier Lalanne, Barry Flanagan, Jaume Plensa, Lynn Chadwick and others.

Inside the building there is an escalator that leads to the terraces of Cascade stairway and the halls of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, where visitors can find interesting art pieces.

Three Divers Terrace, Cascade

The view that the Cascade stairway offers is something to speak about. Te higher you climb, the beautiful the scenery becomes. A wonderful view of Yerevan city opens in front of you, which is much more admirable in the sunset.

And at the end – a few facts about the Cascade complex:

Number of steps - 572

Distance from the bottom to the top of the Cascade: 302 m / 991 feet

Width: 50 m / 164 feet

Incline: 15 degrees

Jaume Plensa, Shadows I, 2006

François-Xavier Lalanne, Carpe (Très Grande), 2000

Fernando Botero, Woman Smoking a Cigarette) 1987

Yue Minjun (China), Untitled, 20th century

Joana Vasconcelos (b. 1971), Portugal, Pavillon de Thé (AP), 2012

Peter Woytuk, USA, Kiwi, 2011

Lynn Chadwick, Sitting Figures, 1980

Photos © Cafesjian Center for the Arts

Barry Flanagan, Big Boxing Hare on Anvil, 1984

Wine Festival in the Country of Oldest Winery

Armenia is famous for its good wine-makers and the tradition of wine-making preserved till nowadays. According to Biblical legend, winemaking dates back to the time, when Forefather Noah planted grape on the slope of Mount Ararat. Archeological examinations found nuclei of grapes in Armenia that come to prove that winemaking has history of centuries in Ararat Valley. Lots of tares and other winemaking equipment with grape nucleus have been found in the caves of Areni village.

On the 6^th of October, 2012, there will be Areni Wine Festival in village Areni, south-eastern region Vayots Dzor. It has become a traditional Wine Festival yearly, when many people from all over Armenia come to Areni village to take part in it.

This is a wonderful occasion for wine-tasting. During Areni Wine Festival you can taste the best variety of Armenian wines that are highly valued by European consumers. The opening will start with bright and spectacular parade of the best wine-makers accompanied with singing and dancing.

In the frames of the Wine Festival there will be games for all ages, folk music, dances and theatre performances and of course wine, a lot of wine. Also there will be such contests as “Armenia in your eyes” best wine label contest, “Gold Keg” prize as the best wine among the wine-producers, “Homemade wine producers” contest and “The best souvenir of the festival”.

Happy World Tourism Day!

Since 1980 the whole world celebrates the International Tourism Day on September 27. It is the day when the Statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization were adopted (1970).

The Armenia Tourism Blog congratulates you all on this wonderful day, wishing you a lot of interesting travel destinations, new feelings and experiences. 

Happy World Tourism Day!