Spring - Wonderful Season to Visit Armenia

Spring denotes a new beginning of something special. New emotions, feelings, new experiences, impressions, new opportunities: all at once. 

Every day is a new chance to find out something unique that you had never seen or felt before. 

It’s an opportunity to discover the world full of wonders. 

Let’s get started right now. Wonderful season to discover a new land which is always pleased to receive guests.  Armenia is waiting for you! 

Everything is in bloom, aroma of fresh spring flowers besots, sun warms, the soul rejoices, the heart is filled with love and warmth. 

Definitely, everyone wants to be part of something unusual which will become part of its life history. 

So, why do not take a step right now?!!

Every day can become an unforgettable event of your life in the country where the wonders of nature admire the eyes. The sky and the earth are so close that they seem inseparable. It seems that little by little you also become a part of this indescribable beauty.

Today is Tuesday, 25 March, do not waste time, and just make your decision. Do not care of anything. All organizational issues will be resolved by experienced travel agents. Even booking hotel is not an easy job to make for those who are not familiar with local conditions in spite of large number of hotel booking sites. So finding a good travel agent is a must. Becoming your own partner the travel agent will accompany you during your entire journey and will facilitate all potential difficulties.  

Travel agents have already started preparing for the new season.  Lots of tours full of adventures are ready now. 

It’s soon Easter in Armenia: one of the most favorite holidays in the Christian world. You also have the opportunity to participate in the celebration of this wonderful holiday. There is nothing more pleasant than to share the joy with loved ones. 

So, hurry up! We are waiting for you here in Armenia.

Author: Armine Ghazaryan

Art and Therapy or Utilizing Strength of Human's Creativity

Creating an art is becoming a mean for a therapy, because the process of creating something requires intensive emotions and energy. And it helps naturally reveal inner difficulties and negative reactions that can hurt children, if not cleaned.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Children are asked to freely create a piece of art, and qualified, registered Art Therapists discloses difficulties, disabilities and diagnoses problems, if they exist. These include, for example, emotional, behavioral or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, brain-injury or neurological conditions and physical illness.

Art therapy for children can provide kids with an easier way to express themselves since children are more naturally artistic and creative.  Art therapy may be provided for groups, or for individuals, depending on children' needs. It is not a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable. Children do not need to have any previous experience or expertise in art.

Art therapy for children can be a much more viable solution for communication than simply having a conversation and talking about things. Art therapy can help children relieve stress, increase awareness of self, and develop healthy and effective coping skills. Children of all ages, nationalities, races and cultures can benefit from art therapy. Art therapy programs are developed around a child’s strengths and abilities, so the kid can use the medium even if he or she has never picked up a crayon before.

Even though art therapy is exposed to children it widely used among adults, and they really enjoy it not less than kids. It is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities  and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Author: Siranush Hakobyan, Art Therapist at  Aya Maria Wellness and SPA Resort
Art therapy in Armenia began to develop since 2010  and  there are only few children's centers that practice art therapy. Aya Maria Wellness and SPA Center opened in 2012, using art therapy as one main activity. The course is run by Siranush Hakobyan, certified Art Therapist.  Aya Maria organizes art therapy for people of different ages.

Armenian Dolma Festival

Armenian Dolma 

In the framework of “Golden Apricot” Yerevan International Film Festival annual (third) Dolma Festival will take place, thus giving an opportunity to once again represent our Armenian rich cuisine and culture to more than 50-60 guests of the Film Festival.

Dolma is one of the most delicious and popular Armenian traditional dishes and includes the cooking techniques of the Armenian people.  The first Armenian national dolma was made in Sardarapat about 3,000 years ago. Primarily it was made with grape leaves and was called “udul” from Urartian word udul which means leaf of grape. Armenian women usually spend a long time on making dolma.

On July 10th Armenians will be exhibiting  60 types of dolma in Sardarapat, which was the scene of a 1918 battle that stopped the Turkish onslaught and led to the establishment of the first democratic Armenian republic.

The objective of organizing such festival is to introduce to wider mass the Armenian traditional cuisine and particularly dolma as a truly Armenian dish.

Apart from the traditional dolma that is made of grape or cabbage leaves and vegetables, one can also find different dolma with crow fish, fish chicken, as well as sweet dolma.

Make sure to taste amazing Armenian dolma.

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.