Stunning Armenia, a fascinating glimpse into Noah’s land

[gamavor]

 

All is correct, except point 16. You have ATM's at every corner in Yerevan and also almost everywhere you can use your credit or debit card. Moreover, you can pay your utility bill, telephone, whatever service you get at every crossroad in Yerevan, same goes for parking trough SMS, etc...(parking in the center is 100 Drams per hour - roughly 0.20 Eurocents).

[Yervant1]

Bloomberg

April 23 2019

Why You Should Go to Armenia Now, in 15 Inspiring Photos

By Benjamin Kemper

‎April‎ ‎23‎, ‎2019‎ ‎3‎:‎00‎ ‎PM

Armenia, a landlocked country of about 3 million people in the Caucasus Mountains, has a few claims to fame: gold medal chess players, fraught geopolitics, Churchill’s favorite brandy, and—OK, fine—the Kardashians, who are proud Armenian Americans. But tourism? Most U.S. travelers couldn’t spot Armenia on a map (it’s sandwiched between Georgia and Iran), let alone fathom a trip there.

It’s time to reconsider, if you’ve considered it at all. Beyond Armenia’s popular tourist attractions—it has some of the world’s oldest churches—there are new reasons to bump the nation a few spots up your bucket list. Last year’s Velvet Revolution, which unseated a Russia-backed oligarch, has given the country a palpable, contagious optimism. New hotels are sprouting up in the capital city of Yerevan, where the restaurant scene is shedding its meat-and-potatoes standards in favor of bolder, spicier flavors. And this year, the Transcaucasian Trail will launch its first group hikes in Dilijan National Park. In other words, Armenia feels electric—so get in on the buzz.

Holy Ground

Exactly how an ancient Roman temple wound up in the Armenian countryside—or how it remained intact despite countless invasions—is a subject of much debate. But what is clear is that the massive colonnaded structure is one of Eurasia’s most precious examples of pre-Christian architecture. Built in the first century, Garni was likely a shrine to the pagan sun god Mihr, though some scholars speculate it’s the tomb of a Romanized Armenian king or the defunct residence of some long-forgotten ruler.

Photographer: Benjamin Kemper

Dance If You Want To

All kicks, whirls, and gravity-defying leaps, Armenian dance is an invigorating spectacle. In a popular routine called the Kochar, performers link hands and prance lithely to the soundtrack of a nasal-sounding zurna.

Photographer: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP

Don’t Look Down

The “Wings of Tatev” cable car glides some 200 meters (656 feet) above a rocky ravine on its way to Tatev Monastery, a ninth century complex clinging to a grassy clifftop. The 14-minute, 5,752-meter climb earned the cable car a Guinness World Record for the “world’s longest reversible aerial tramway.”

Photographer: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP

Soviet Relics

Space-age towers, neoclassical government buildings, dilapidated Khrushchyovka—while Armenia may have split from the Soviet Union almost three decades ago, judging from its architecture, you’d never know it. In Yerevan, one name comes up again and again: Alexander Tamanian, the Armenian architect who designed the city’s curiously circular street plan and drew the blueprints for the Cascade, opera house, and Republic Square.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

The Plan in Yerevan

Opened in 2018, the Alexander, a Luxury Collection outpost, single-handedly put Armenia on the high-end travel map. When you’re not out sightseeing—the hotel is a five-minute walk from Republic Square—unwind in the Anne Semonin spa, swanning from sauna to steam room to indoor pool. Or claim a stool at the rooftop bar to take in views of Yerevan’s signature pink-tuff buildings dwarfed by Mount Ararat in the background.

Source: The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel

A Seat at Many Tables

Armenian food defies hard-and-fast generalizations. It borrows from Russian, Georgian, Persian, and Levantine playbooks without surrendering fully to any—dishes can range from lemony tabbouleh and mayonnaise-laden potato salad to cow hoof soup and baked dumplings in tomato sauce. That kind of variety makes Yerevan’s food scene a thrilling one: At lunch, you could be in Dolmama’s wallpapered dining room feasting on the best stuffed grape leaves of your life; and by dinner, at Lahmajun Gaidz (opened by a Syrian refugee) inhaling spicy lamb-topped lahmajun (flatbread) as you would a New York pizza slice, experiencing Armenian fast food at its finest.

Photographer: KAREN MINASYAN/AFP

A Transcaucasian Invasion

Since 2015 an international team of literal trailblazers has been slogging away to create the Transcaucasian Trail, a wide-reaching network that will take hikers to some of the remotest corners of the Caucasus. The latest section to be completed, stretching 60 miles, winds through Dilijan National Park, a reserve as famous for its millennium-old monasteries as it is for its eagles, bears, lynxes, and wolves. Sign up for the inaugural June trek and be one of the first to hike it.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

The Oldest Cathedral on Earth

Echmiadzin Cathedral, founded in the early fourth century, is to Armenian Christians what the Great Mosque is to Muslims and the Western Wall is to Jews: a place of incomparable spiritual importance. But you don’t have to be a believer to be bowled over by its splendor. Impossibly intricate reliefs depict Biblical and nature scenes; gilded frescoes glint in the sunlight. Visit before noon, and you might be treated to an impromptu choral performance by somber church singers carrying candles.

[Yervant1]

Continued!

 

Photographer: Oneworld Picture/Universal Images Group Editorial

A Wine Lover’s Paradise

When archaeologists unearthed the world’s oldest winery, estimated to be 6,100 years old, in southern Armenia three years ago, everyone gasped—except for Armenians. Wine has long been the lifeblood of local culture, consecrated at Armenian Apostolic masses, sipped at elaborate traditional feasts, and chugged on raucous nights out. Sample some of the country’s best bottles at In Vino, a cobwebbed cubbyhole where wine geeks splurge on award-winning labels like Karas and Zorah, or at Wine Republic, where the French bistro menu is almost as varied as its 650-bottle list.

Source: In Vino

On This Rock

You could spend weeks monastery-hopping across Armenia and still not hit them all, but one is a must: Geghard, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The labyrinthine monastery complex includes a wealth of hypnotic khachkars (cross-stones), a 13th century church, and even older chapels and vestries hewn straight into the side of a cliff, their walls blackened from centuries of candlelight.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

Just Add Heat

Meat, salt, and fire are all you need to make khorovats, Armenia’s omnipresent skewers of grilled beef, pork, or lamb. But don’t be fooled—Armenians have elevated the common kebab into an art form. A good grill master selects the finest cuts, salts the meat just so, and pulls the shampoor (skewer) from the flame when the meat is crackling and dribble-down-your-chin juicy.

Photographer: DEA / ALBERT CEOLAN/De Agostini Editorial

An Unforgettable Memorial

The Armenian Genocide of 1915 killed at least 1 million Armenians and forced millions more to flee their ancestral home of eastern Turkey. This intentionally bleak, gray monument, part of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, overlooks Yerevan as a memorial. Budget a couple of hours—and packs of tissues—for the haunting collection of artifacts, images, and testimonials that drive home the gravity of this national tragedy.

Photographer: Maja Hitij/Getty Images Europe

Velvet Revolution

Armenia is renewing itself following 2018’s peaceful Velvet Revolution and subsequent parliamentary elections, which replaced an oligarchical, Russia-backed government with a more Western-sympathizing one. The new administration, headed by journalist-turned-politician Nikol Pashinyan, has a tough road ahead: 1 in 3 Armenians lives below the poverty line, while the average wage hovers around $355 a month.

Photographer: VANO SHLAMOV/AFP

Drink of Choice

“Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy, and no sport!” That trifecta, according to Winston Churchill, was the key to a long life. Test his hypothesis at Yerevan Brandy Co. (daily tours available), where the brandy he adored is still made in much the same way. Aged in Caucasian oak barrels and double-distilled for purity, it gives French cognac a run for its money.

Source: Yerevan Brandy Co.

Land of Lakes

Covering 16 percent of Armenia’s surface area, Lake Sevan makes the landlocked country a veritable beach destination. The lapping waves keep Armenians (and a host of other neighboring nationals) cool during parched summers. Even if it’s too chilly to take a dip, you can snap postcard-worthy pics of the Hayravank and Sevanavank monasteries, dramatically set against the sparkling blue water.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2019-04-23/armenia-travel-guide-churches-brandy-mountains

[gamavor]

https://www.story.one/de/u/stefan-papp-e0668303/aus-dem-herzen-europas/?fbclid=IwAR38Z7l3WmdhjryYz29laAp0m4NVQIr5ficF5UczA3R8LAGhYeznyHrvUq4

 

"Liegt Armenien überhaupt in Europa?"

Wo soll ich anfangen? Dass hier Menschen leben, die trotz aller Hürden nie aufgegeben haben, für ihre Heimat und für die Eigenständigkeit zu kämpfen. Und dass die Einwohner Hayastans, wie die Einwohner ihr Land nennen, nie die Lust am Leben verloren haben? Oder dass am Platz der Republik dann und wann "La Bohéme" von Charles Aznavour in französisch erklingt und Liebende sich an der Cascade in allen Sprachen ihre Treue schwören. So mancher Geniesser flaniert auch gerne auch in Cafés, die genauso gut in Paris oder Rom liegen könnten? So mancher Taxifahrer trumpft mit Witz und Humor auf, der einem Wiener Schmäh um nichts nachsteht und wenn sie es wollen, können Kumpanen in urigen Tavernen und Pubs bis zur späten Stunde auch deutsches oder belgisches Bier trinken.

Was macht Armenien also europäisch? Geht es darum, dass in diesem Land – zumindest den Armeniern zufolge – auch der Wein und entsprechend auch die Kultur des Genusses erfunden und zu den alten Griechen exportiert wurde? Vielleicht lässt sich Europa auch erspüren, wenn man in entlegenen Klöstern in den Bergen meditiert und alte Fresken des ältesten christlichen Landes bewundert oder ehrfürchtig auf die weissen Spitzen des Berg Ararats blickt.

Bei gutem Essen genießt man armenische Gastfreundschaft und mitunter philosophiert man auch bei armenischen Tee und Ararat Cognac über das Land.

"Als in Rom noch Ziegenhirten weideten, war Yerevan schon eine Hochkultur.”, gibt so mancher stolz preis, “Und überhaupt wusstest du, dass König Tigranes Reich über ganz Anatolien erstreckt hat?“ Zur Geschichte gibt es viele Theorien, es gehört zum guten Ton bei ausgedehnten Familienfeiern über etwas mehr armenischen Einfluss in Europa zu spekulieren. Und mit jedem Schluck Ararat Cognac oder armenischen Wein fallen mehr Geschichten ein. Bei jedem Toast wird von vielen Persönlichkeiten berichtet – von Prinzessin Diana und anderen Berühmtheiten in Europa und auch weiter weg - sie alle haben armenische Wurzeln, sagt man zumindest in Armenien.

An manchen Tagen wird an der östlichen Grenzen noch scharf geschossen, die westliche ist zu. Eingekeilt zwischen zwei Rivalen besinnen sich viele darauf, dass die Diaspora-Armenier ihre alte Heimat nie vergessen haben und einige von ihnen auch zurückkehren. An den Flughäfen trifft ein Reisender viele Armenier, die fließend französisch, englisch oder deutsch sprechen und sobald sie im Taxi sind, den Fahrer mit Barev DZez begrüssen.

Und auch wenn Wikipedia sagt, dass Europa in Georgien aufhört. Was ist schon Geographie! Vielmehr liegt Armenien im Geiste und auch im Herzen Europas!

© Stefan Papp

[MosJan]

so far i got Hayastans - Ararat Cognac + "La Bohéme" von Charles Aznavour + Cafés + Armenien + Armeniern + Genusses + Ararats + Yerevan

[MosJan]

 

Continued!

 

Photographer: Oneworld Picture/Universal Images Group Editorial

A Wine Lover’s Paradise

When archaeologists unearthed the world’s oldest winery, estimated to be 6,100 years old, in southern Armenia three years ago, everyone gasped—except for Armenians. Wine has long been the lifeblood of local culture, consecrated at Armenian Apostolic masses, sipped at elaborate traditional feasts, and chugged on raucous nights out. Sample some of the country’s best bottles at In Vino, a cobwebbed cubbyhole where wine geeks splurge on award-winning labels like Karas and Zorah, or at Wine Republic, where the French bistro menu is almost as varied as its 650-bottle list.

Source: In Vino

On This Rock

You could spend weeks monastery-hopping across Armenia and still not hit them all, but one is a must: Geghard, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The labyrinthine monastery complex includes a wealth of hypnotic khachkars (cross-stones), a 13th century church, and even older chapels and vestries hewn straight into the side of a cliff, their walls blackened from centuries of candlelight.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

Just Add Heat

Meat, salt, and fire are all you need to make khorovats, Armenia’s omnipresent skewers of grilled beef, pork, or lamb. But don’t be fooled—Armenians have elevated the common kebab into an art form. A good grill master selects the finest cuts, salts the meat just so, and pulls the shampoor (skewer) from the flame when the meat is crackling and dribble-down-your-chin juicy.

Photographer: DEA / ALBERT CEOLAN/De Agostini Editorial

An Unforgettable Memorial

The Armenian Genocide of 1915 killed at least 1 million Armenians and forced millions more to flee their ancestral home of eastern Turkey. This intentionally bleak, gray monument, part of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, overlooks Yerevan as a memorial. Budget a couple of hours—and packs of tissues—for the haunting collection of artifacts, images, and testimonials that drive home the gravity of this national tragedy.

Photographer: Maja Hitij/Getty Images Europe

Velvet Revolution

Armenia is renewing itself following 2018’s peaceful Velvet Revolution and subsequent parliamentary elections, which replaced an oligarchical, Russia-backed government with a more Western-sympathizing one. The new administration, headed by journalist-turned-politician Nikol Pashinyan, has a tough road ahead: 1 in 3 Armenians lives below the poverty line, while the average wage hovers around $355 a month.

Photographer: VANO SHLAMOV/AFP

Drink of Choice

“Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy, and no sport!” That trifecta, according to Winston Churchill, was the key to a long life. Test his hypothesis at Yerevan Brandy Co. (daily tours available), where the brandy he adored is still made in much the same way. Aged in Caucasian oak barrels and double-distilled for purity, it gives French cognac a run for its money.

Source: Yerevan Brandy Co.

Land of Lakes

Covering 16 percent of Armenia’s surface area, Lake Sevan makes the landlocked country a veritable beach destination. The lapping waves keep Armenians (and a host of other neighboring nationals) cool during parched summers. Even if it’s too chilly to take a dip, you can snap postcard-worthy pics of the Hayravank and Sevanavank monasteries, dramatically set against the sparkling blue water.

Source: State Tourism Committee of Armenia

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2019-04-23/armenia-travel-guide-churches-brandy-mountains

 

Brother that khorovats looks sooooo goooood

[gamavor]

so far i got Hayastans - Ararat Cognac + "La Bohéme" von Charles Aznavour + Cafés + Armenien + Armeniern + Genusses + Ararats + Yerevan

 

Basically he explains why Armenia should be considered the heart of Europe...and I very much agree with him:)

[Yervant1]

The Asian Age, India

May 5 2019

Armenia is a wine lover’s paradise

THE ASIAN AGE. | BENJAMIN KEMPER

Covering 16 percent of Armenia’s surface area, Lake Sevan makes the landlocked country a veritable beach destination.

Soviet relics like space-age towers, neoclassical government buildings.

When archaeologists unearthed the world’s oldest winery, estimated to be 6,100 years old, in southern Armenia three years ago, everyone gasped —except for Armenians.

Armenia, a landlocked country of about 3 million people in the Caucasus Mountains, has a few claims to fame: gold medal chess players, fraught geopolitics, Churchill’s favorite brandy, and—OK, fine—the Kardashians, who are proud Armenian Americans. But tourism? Most U.S. travelers couldn’t spot Armenia on a map (it’s sandwiched between Georgia and Iran), let alone fathom a trip there.

Kochar performers dance to glory

It’s time to reconsider, if you’ve considered it at all. Beyond Armenia’s popular tourist attractions — it has some of the world’s oldest churches — there are new reasons to bump the nation a few spots up your bucket list. Last year’s Velvet Revolution, which unseated a Russia-backed oligarch, has given the country a palpable, contagious optimism. New hotels are sprouting up in the capital city of Yerevan, where the restaurant scene is shedding its meat-and-potatoes standards in favor of bolder, spicier flavors. And this year, the Transcaucasian Trail will launch its first group hikes in Dilijan National Park. In other words, Armenia feels electric — so get in on the buzz.

Connoisseur’s Choice
When archaeologists unearth-ed the world’s oldest winery, estimated to be 6,100 years old, in southern Armenia three years ago, everyone gasped — except for Armenians.

Yerevan Brandy Co., where the brandy, Winston Churchill adored, is still made in much the same way

Wine has long been the lifeblood of local culture, consecrated at Armenian Apostolic masses, sipped at elaborate traditional feasts, and chugged on raucous nights out. Sample some of the country’s best bottles at In Vino, a cobwebbed cubbyhole where wine geeks splurge on award-winning labels like Karas and Zorah, or at Wine Republic, where the French bistro menu is almost as varied as its 650-bottle list.

Drink of Choice
“Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy, and no sport!” That trifecta, according to Winston Churchill, was the key to a long life. Test his hypothesis at Yerevan Brandy Co. (daily tours available), where the brandy he adored is still made in much the same way. Aged in Caucasian oak barrels and double-distilled for purity, it gives French cognac a run for its money.

Lake Sevan makes the landlocked country a veritable beach destination

Holy Ground
Exactly how an ancient Roman temple wound up in the Armenian countryside — or how it remained intact despite countless invasions — is a subject of much debate. But what is clear is that the massive colonnaded structure is one of Eurasia’s most precious examples of pre-Christian architecture. Built in the first century, Garni was likely a shrine to the pagan sun god Mihr, though some scholars speculate it’s the tomb of a Romanised Armenian king or the defunct residence of some long-forgotten ruler.

Oldest Cathedral On Earth
Echmiadzin Cathedral, founded in the early fourth century, is to Armenian Christians what the Great Mosque is to Muslims and the Western Wall is to Jews: a place of incomparable spiritual importance. But you don’t have to be a believer to be bowled over by its splendor. Impossibly intricate reliefs depict Biblical and nature scenes; gilded frescoes glint in the sunlight. Visit before noon, and you might be treated to an impromptu choral performance by somber church singers carrying candles.

Echmiadzin Cathedral, founded in the early fourth century is the oldest cathedral on earth

Holy Ground
Exactly how an ancient Roman temple wound up in the Armenian countryside—or how it remained intact despite countless invasions—is a subject of much debate. But what is clear is that the massive colonnaded structure is one of Eurasia’s most precious examples of pre-Christian architecture.

Built in the first century, Garni was likely a shrine to the pagan sun god Mihr, though some scholars speculate it’s the tomb of a Romanized Armenian king or the defunct residence of some long-forgotten ruler.

The Geghard monastery complex in Armenia

Soviet Relics
Space-age towers, neoclassical government buildings, dilapidated Khrushchyovka — while Armenia may have split from the Soviet Union almost three decades ago, judging from its architecture, you’d never know it. In Yerevan, one name comes up again and again: Alexander Tamanian, the Armenian architect who designed the city’s curiously circular street plan and drew the blueprints for the Cascade, opera house, and Republic Square.

On This Rock
You could spend weeks monastery-hopping across Armenia and still not hit them all, but one is a must: Geghard, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The labyrinthine monastery complex includes a wealth of hypnotic khachkars (cross-stones), a 13th century church, and even older chapels and vestries hewn straight into the side of a cliff, their walls blackened from centuries of candlelight.

Built in the first century, Garni was likely a shrine to the pagan sun god Mihr

Land of Lakes
Covering 16 percent of Armenia’s surface area, Lake Sevan makes the landlocked country a veritable beach destination.

The lapping waves keep Armenians (and a host of other neighboring nationals) cool during parched summers. Even if it’s too chilly to take a dip, you can snap postcard-worthy pics of the Hayravank and Sevanavank monasteries, dramatically set against the sparkling blue water.
— Bloomberg

https://www.asianage.com/age-on-sunday/050519/armenia-is-a-wine-lovers-paradise.html?fbclid=IwAR24-BZGo1qoOaJoV2ZMxqX83lt5EOZCM44vaCSP2h3Dmc9gbBGLfgXWG9Q

[Yervant1]

Not so stunning side of Armenians! Shameful.

Panorama, Armenia

June 20 2019

Tourists clear garbage near Armenia’s Temple of Garni

Around a week ago, a group of foreign tourists cleared the garbage near the Temple of Garni located in Armenia’s Kotayk Province on their own initiative.

Swiss, Swedish, and Indian youths also cleaned up the Azat River around the temple from trash, Apaga platform said in a Facebook post.

“These young people proved that nature is part of us all, regardless of nationality and origin.

“As a local, how do you feel when outsiders seem to care more about Armenia's environment than locals?” the post read.

https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2019/06/20/Tourist-garbage-Garni/2130312

 

[MosJan]

jannnnn

[Yervant1]

Panorama, Armenia

June 28 2019

UAE ambassador hails Armenia as ‘safe and peaceful’ country

Armenia is a safe and peaceful country with hospitable and friendly people, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Armenia Mohammed Issa Al Qattam Al Zaabi said in an exclusive interview to Panorama.am.

“Armenia is a country with rich culture, history and inherited civilization. I am happy to work here. Armenians are kind people, who show respect and appreciation for foreigners and tourists. They often view a foreigner as an Armenian, which is very good,” the ambassador said.

Asked to comment on Armenia-UAE relations, Al Zaabi described them as ‘unique’, adding they have been developing in all sectors in recent years.

“Armenian President Armen Sarkissian’s visit to the United Arab Emirates and his participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January this year was a successful visit, which gave a new impetus to the strengthening of relations in different spheres,” the senior official said, also highlighting the recent visit of the Armenian defense minister to the UAE to attend Idex 2019 international defense exhibition.

“We have a commotion vision for development of our relations to open up new prospects for cooperation,” the envoy said.

Al Zaabi stressed the opening of the UAE Embassy in Armenia has significantly boosted the trade turnover between the two countries. “The trade turnover between the two countries totaled to only $80 million before the opening of the embassy in 2014, whereas it rose to $250 million in 2017 and around $180 million in 2018. The opening of the embassy in 2015 also aimed at boosting economic relations between the two countries,” he stressed.

Also, he presented the official figures on tourism arrivals, according to which a total of 11,500 tourists visited Armenia from the United Arab Emirates in 2018, stressing the UAE citizens feel safe in Yerevan. The ambassador also named Armenian people’s hospitability and Armenia’s great culture, civilization and history as other key factors attracting the UAE nationals.

Asked to speak about the installment of the unique Ministry of Happiness in the country and its functions, Mohammed Al Zaabi said happiness is important but is not dependent on material possessions.

“Happiness begins with a child's upbringing, education and health, the country's history, culture, and agriculture, the water that we drink. These are the components of happiness, not money and wealth,” the ambassador stressed.

Mohammed Al Zaabi, who has been in office for only four months, named Lake Sevan as his favorite place in Armenia. The ambassador also loves the Armenian capital. “Yerevan is an old city. I love old cities since they reflect the civilization, culture and values of the country…The most important thing for me is that I feel safe and secure here,” Al Zaabi said.

https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2019/06/28/UAE-ambassador-Armenia/2133313

[Yervant1]

JAM News

July 2 2019

Dutch entrepreneurs come to Armenia to teach, stay to live

Gayane Mkrtchyan, Yerevan

July 2, 2019

“The first year when we moved, I was shocked. Life in Armenia is not at all the same as in Europe”, says Sarah, now the hostess of a guest house and camping site

Sandra Commandeur and her husband Marty Pieterse came to Armenia from the Netherlands seven years ago.

They were invited to work with the Dutch company Greenhouse. Sandra and Marty came to instruct locals in the use of greenhouses to grow Dutch roses. The couple didn’t even imagine that they would end up staying in Armenia after their contract came to an end.

“I had not even heard of Armenia’s existence, but soon it became a second home for me. I like the people here. Of course, in the beginning, the first year when we moved, I was shocked. Life in Armenia is not at all the same as in Europe.

At first the contract was made for a year, and then we extended it for another three years. My husband is a specialist in greenhouses, and I am a teacher. But because my parents were also specialists in the construction of greenhouses, I have always been familiar with the subject,” Sandra says.

At first the couple lived in the home of an Armenian family in Gokht.

“They spoke Russian in addition to Armenian. At first I thought to learn Russian, but because our colleagues, mostly young girls and women, were born in the post-Soviet period, they spoke more Armenian and I decided to learn Armenian instead. It was difficult of course, but I got the hang of it.

The girls helped me learn Armenian. I was like a young child who was only beginning to learn the language. I learned it in about a year. My first words were hello, incorrect, did you understand me, and so on,” says Sandra.

Over the next three years the couple got quite attached to Gokht and to their fellow villagers. Local residents also grew attached to them. After their work contract ended, Marty bought a home in the village in which nobody had lived for 15 years, and began to repair and fix it up.

“The view alone that we have is enough to stay here forever. It’s a fairy tale. After the renovation, we decided to open a guest home for our friends and their families. We began doing something we had never done before.

This was a brave step for us of course. A new business, risks, investments in a country that you don’t know very well, but you don’t want to leave either. We thought, if it works, then great, if not, then our friends and family will have an interesting place to spend their vacation,” Sandra explains.

The house is located on a hill from where one has a view of Gegam Ride and Khosrow Forest. Gokht itself is some 40 kilometres away from Yerevan, neighboring Garni [ed. where there is a pagan temple from the 1st century] and Geghard [ed. a monastery complex on the UNESCO cultural heritage list] – very touristic destinations in Armenia.

There is a road through the village to Azhdanak Mountain which has a peak of 3,500 metres. It too is a very popular destination for hikers in the country.

Considering all of these aspects, the pair decided to open their guest house called “3G” in 2014.

“We live on the first floor of the house, and on the second floor there are rooms for guests and our B&B. For four years we had four rooms for guests and we could put up a total of eight people. We did not make more rooms, but now we have a campsite as well.

Before the campsite we had many tourists come by bike and motorcycle, and they asked us to stay the night in the courtyard or to use the toilet. As a result, we bought the neighboring plot of land and started to think about making a campsite,” Sandra says.

While the camping industry is still new in Armenia, Sandra says that many tourists from Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Holland, Switzerland and Russia have shown interest.

“Four years ago we had 170 people. In 2017 we had more than 500. Many tourists come from Germany. They like to go to new countries that they don’t know about. The Dutch first ask where Armenia is, but Germans say immediately: we don’t know anything about the country, but we want to go there. Some even come back,” Sandra says, pouring guests cherry juice that she had made herself.

A ccording to the statistics committee, international tourism in the period from January to March 2019 recorded an increase of 5.2% compared with the same period last year. During this time, 364,489 tourists visited the country.

Sandra also notes that there are more tourists. But she believes that there are problems that hinder the development of tourism: bad roads, insufficiently developed infrastructure and expensive air tickets. She adds that in April-May in the days of the Velvet Revolution, roads were blocked and many could not get to Gokht. But after the revolution, the number of tourists increased because many wanted to visit the country in which the revolution had occurred.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Investments confirms that there is an increase in the number of tourists wishing to see the new Armenia. The numbers are expected to increase in autumn. Recently, gastrotourism, ethnotourism and ecotourism have also become popular here.

Sandra and her husband go back to the Netherlands every year for two weeks, during which time they come to miss Armenia, their home, despite the problems and the number of critical issues in tourism and starting a new business.

“We love Gokht in Armenia. It has become our second home. When we leave for the Netherlands, we want to come home pretty soon after. I have worked and lived in various countries, but I always wanted to return to Holland because I knew that those countries were not my own. But I have a different feeling when it comes to Armenia,” Sandra says.

https://jam-news.net/dutch-entrepreneurs-come-to-armenia-to-teach-stay-to-live/

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Philippine Star

July 7 2019

Amen to Armenia

RENDEZVOUs - Christine S. Dayrit (The Philippine Star) - July 7, 2019 - 12:00am

Traveling gives us a whole new perspective of what really is. The magical beauty of a place suddenly comes alive before our very eyes. Just like this recent trip to Armenia.

Armenia is the country where Noah’s Ark is believed to have found its resting place. It is also said that the Holy Lance that pierced the body of Christ was kept in a cave in this country.

A landlocked country with Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia boasts a history longer than most European countries.

Together with my traveling companions from Adams Express Travel led by the gracious Nema Ocon, we discovered a whole new world of magical ambience in Tatev Monastery via the longest cable car ever built in only one section called “The Wings of Tatev.” The Tatev Monastery, which was built in the 9th century, was considered the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. In the 10th century, the region’s best school was created at Tatev — it became a mecca for scholars in the arts over the years. Paired with spectacular designs and breathtaking scenery, Tatev Monastery has a diverse historical significance.

Then we proceeded to Khor Virap (Armenian for “deep dungeon”), the most sacred pilgrimage destination in Armenia, not only because it’s the only place in the country where you’ll get the best view of the biblical Mount Ararat (standing high at 5,165 meters), but this is also where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. When the King found out that Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory before canonization) survived after all these years, he told his men to find and release him thinking that Lusarovich could cure his illness. When Lusavorich cured him, the King begged for his forgiveness and their monarch system was subsequently converted into Christianity. What makes Khor Virap such a special and sacred destination is its mark in the start of Christianity.

Ararat is also believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical Mount Ararat we explored the site, its underground chambers and elegant chapels, and were captivated by ascetic atmosphere. As you observe the beauty of such creation, it makes you feel connected to God.

Moving to the heart of Armenia’s own Vatican City, we enjoyed a day at Holy Echmiadzin with its world’s earliest Christian churches included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this religious center proudly stands the Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral (4th century), the world’s oldest official Christian church; and St. Hripsime Church (7th century), a true masterpiece of early medieval Armenian architecture. Strolling around this monastery feels like walking in the past, a marvelous area filled with sacred objects.

In the west of Yerevan and also within sight of the Ararat mountains are the ruins of the unusual Zvartnots Temple. It was built at a time when much of Armenia was under Byzantine control or influence and during the early invasions of Armenia by the Muslim Arabs. The 7th century temple area was excavated in the 20th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architecture and location is a feast for the eyes; the temple was believed to be a sacred place dedicated to angels. Zvartnots is not huge but truly spectacular nonetheless.

We were delighted with the main highlights of Yerevan. The Cascade, the huge white stairway that links the downtown area of Yerevan to the monument neighborhood, was built in the 1970s, comparable to a natural cascade in a river or stream. This monument is composed of a succession of escalators and exterior stairs that “cascade” down to the lower Kentron district.

We also admired Victory Park (Haghtanaky Zbosaygi) where a striking Soviet-era statue commands an incredible panoramic city view. Mayr Hayastan, the statue well known as the female personification of Armenia, symbolizes strength and is a tribute to motherhood. It’s such a stern figure, considering how cheery and amiable Armenians are.

About 20 kilometers to the east of Yerevan is the Garni pagan temple (Temple of the Sun God Mithra), dating back to 77 A.D. Located in an amazing natural setting, it was the summer residence of the Armenian kings. The complex also includes royal palace ruins and Roman Baths with a well-preserved mosaic. The structure can be seen as a depiction of the cosmos, with a raised platform on top of nine steps leading to the main entrance. There are 24 columns in the temple representing the hours of the day with six in front and the back, and eight on the sides, which is the symbol of life. Visitors will leave in awe, as the monument is the only still-standing Greek temple in the former Soviet Union.

We continued our discovery of Armenia until we reached the Geghard cave monastery, an outstanding medieval masterpiece, partly carved out of a mountainside that is remarkably well preserved. It is said that the “Holy Lance” that pierced the body of Christ was kept here. The complex was introduced in the 4th century as a sacred spring inside a cave. Today it is included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

We traveled, too, to the Gegharkunik province for Lake Sevan. Despite being landlocked, Armenia can still boast its “blue pearl,” the majestic Lake Sevan, which is the world’s second greatest high-altitude fresh-water lake. We visited Sevanavank Monastery with its St. Atakelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches, located on the peninsula. From the monastery you can marvel at the beautiful view of Lake Sevan, the “blue-eyed” bride of Armenia.

We left Armenia with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Come and visit Armenia and experience it on your own.

Email the author at miladay.star@gmail.com

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2019/07/07/1932507/amen-armenia

[Yervant1]

News.am, Armenia

July 8 2019

Lorenzo Quinn: Armenia truly touched my heart and inspired me

19:15, 08.07.2019

Famous Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn was quite impressed when he left Armenia.

“Armenia truly touched my heart and inspired me,” the sculptor said.

Lorenzo Quinn was in Armenia at the invitation of creator of the Narekatsi art-project Yulianna Parakshiyeva. Yulianna and the sculptor are working on the implementation of several projects in Armenia, and the possibility of unveiling Quinn’s sculpture in Armenia is also being considered.

“I have been interested in Lorenzo Quinn’s works for a long time. Since I was very impressed with his work, I immediately thought that I should invite him to Armenia and carry out cultural projects in Armenia. I was very happy when Lorenzo accepted my offer,” Yulianna Parakshiyeva.

“This is simply a wonderful country where there is so much to discover. I am thankful to the hospitable and generous Yulianna Parakshiyeva for showing me this marvelous country,” Lorenzo Quinn noted.

TUMO Center for Creative Technologies hosted a public discussion with the sculptor. The Italian sculptor was also hosted by President Armen Sarkissian, who welcomed the artist’s first visit to Armenia and stated that he has always highly appreciated the acting mastery and roles of his father, Anthony Quinn.

Before departing from Armenia, Lorenzo Quinn advised on his official Instagram page to include Armenia in the list of countries that people have to visit.

https://news.am/eng/news/522659.html

[gamavor]

[gamavor]

Edited July 23, 2019 by gamavor

[Yervant1]

Khaleej Times, UAE

Aug 9 2019

The kindness of strangers

Tirtho Banerjee

Filed on August 9, 2019

A recent trip to Armenia revealed its true beauty lay not just in its lovely landscapes - but in the unflagging generosity of its people

The present world has empathy in short supply. But I found it in abundance while travelling across Armenia recently. The spontaneity and propensity of the locals to extend a helping hand to total strangers left me enamoured. The Armenians' friendly disposition came through naturally wherever I went - in shops, in malls, on roads. and it reaffirmed my hope in humanity. It was the selflessness of these acts that made me fall in love with Armenia's true beauty - its people.

A lesson in hospitality

Indian food is what my wife and I were looking for on Day One in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Even though we had the restaurant's number and location, it wasn't of much help, as we were not familiar with the city's streets. Despite making repeated calls to the venue as we struggled to figure out the place, the directions offered by the operator proved absolutely futile. To add to our distress, I ran out of data and couldn't access Google search. Not a single passer-by we encountered had the faintest idea about the Indian eatery and all our enquiries came to naught. Exasperated, we were about to give up our pursuit, when suddenly a middle-aged man - who must have been watching our desperate moves for some time - came to us and politely asked: "May I know what you guys are trying to find out?"

Nursing a vain hope, we told him about our frustration and gave him the restaurant's name. His eyes lit up and, to our utter surprise and relief, he said: "Ya, ya, I know it... Indian restaurant, right?" Before we knew it, we were following him through Republic Square, parks and many other roads. The gentleman even gave us a brief outline and related backstories about some of the buildings we were passing - just like a seasoned guide. He ensured we reached our destination, before shaking my hand with a broad smile. I could only manage a feeble "Thank you", to which he quickly responded: "No, I should say thank you, because you spent so much money to visit my country. I am thankful you are in Armenia." Those words remain engraved in the recesses of my mind.

Making a friend

Armenia's rich heritage abounds everywhere - mostly in its famed monuments, many of which date back to the 3rd and 4th century. One of them is Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestled in a serene environment flanked by green mountains, the place is approached through a picturesque cobblestone walkway. I was fascinated by the pine cones that had fallen to the ground from a towering tree that was gazing vacantly at the monastery. They were scattered all around and I collected a handful of different varieties. My hands could only hold a few and while I was busy in a kind of juggling act, I heard a shout.

A woman - she must have been in her early 60s - was waving at me from her makeshift shop with a packet in her hand. I thought she was flagging me down to buy her wares and so, pretended I hadn't seen her. But I soon realised she was offering me a bag in which to carry the pine cones. Afterwards, I requested her for a snap; she accepted with alacrity. I will forever cherish her pure, unadulterated spirit to reach out.

Baked with love

After taking a round of Garni Temple, a Greco-Roman structure built around 1,800 years ago, and the ruins around it, we were dead tired and felt famished. It was at a restaurant serving authentic Armenian cuisine that we ordered our lunch. What's more, the food was made from organically grown grains and vegetables. It felt good to have our meal in a natural setting, seated on wooden chairs with a whiff of boiled rice wafting on the gentle, nippy breeze.

An elderly lady was baking cookies nearby. Despite the heat from the oven, she went about her job with obvious skill. Our meal done, my wife and I were now in a quandary: we couldn't decide on dessert. The woman must have sensed our predicament, for she dished out a bunch of cookies from the oven for us that really satiated our intense craving for something sweet. Before leaving, she gave my wife a warm embrace. That sweet moment is frozen in my frame.

Word to the wise

We wanted to ride the Yerevan Metro to experience the city 'on the move' - and to cover those pockets we couldn't on foot. A 'Metro' sign on the side of a road led us towards the stairs that took us to an underground hall. We were unable to decide what type of tickets to buy. As we hesitated at a distance from the ticket counter, a man who'd just bought a ticket initiated a conversation with us. "Do you want ticket?" he asked, adding with a soft chuckle in the same breath: "Don't worry, it is only 200 dram. anywhere you go."

That crucial bit of info dispelled all our doubts and help us shed our inhibitions. With a newfound confidence, I approached the ticket counter and said: "Two tickets, please." I turned around to thank the man, but he was nowhere to be found. True kindness never waits for acknowledgment, I realised.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/the-kindness-of-strangers

[gamavor]

 

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

BW Business World, India

Jan 21 2020

The country of unforgettable emotions: Armenia

With over 25000 historical monuments throughout the country, Armenia is often referred to as an open-air museum. Read on to know about the country's heritage, food, wildlife and traditions.

Armenia is a land of mysticism that will at once capture your imagination, evoking past centuries while awakening your senses to the present. It has a rich and colorful history, interwoven with legends and lore such as the landing of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat and Marco Polo’s voyages along the Silk Road. Armenians are an ancient people with a strong sense of cultural identity. As the nation who first adopted Christianity, we have preserved our unique culture throughout the centuries, keeping Old World traditions alive by integrating them into a modern way of life, so that the two complement and enrich each other. With over 25000 historical monuments throughout the country dating from prehistoric to Hellenistic and early Christian eras – three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Armenia is often referred to as an open air museum. Yerevan alone hosts 40 art museums and galleries. Armenia can kick up your adrenaline with steep routes and off-road rides along its valleys.

Armenia is about mouth-watering flavors. Whether in gourmet restaurants or authentic rural homes, Armenian hospitality, its rich cuisine and bountiful harvest will always welcome you to the table. Lavash, freshly baked in a fiery tonir will satisfy your stomach. The country will also embrace you in the vine of Areni Noir – a local grape variety first planted by Noah after the Biblical Flood. The spirit culture flows through Armenia from cozy wineries in Yerevan to the most ancient “wine factory” in a terroir cave of Vayots Dzor over 6100 years old. Let us not forget the cellars of the Yerevan Brandy Factory. Parting with its fragrant walls is more difficult than climbing Mount Ararat. Armenia is about fashion boutiques by local designers and jewelers. It is about high quality shoemaking that continues the traditions of the most ancient cobblers, with one such shoe, made millennia ago, now exhibited at the Museum of History. Armenia is all about interesting people and witty local humor. It is a country of unforgettable experiences that will always have you coming back for more.

WORLD HERITAGE

Geghard (Armenian: Գեղարդ, meaning “spear”) is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites as an outstanding universal value, created by humanity. The name Sanahin is interpreted as "This one is older than that", which emphasizes the supremacy of age this monastery has over its counterpart in Haghpat, the oldest temple of which was built in 976-991. In the XVIII century, a prominent bard or ashugh at the court of the Georgian king, spent part of his life as a recluse in Haghpat. As the legend goes, this famous Armenian composer underwent tonsure after falling in love with a beautiful princess.

Duduk (Armenian oboe), or tsiranapogh (“the soul of the apricot tree”), as the Armenians call this musical instrument. The soft wood of the apricot tree is the ideal material for the body of the instrument. It is brilliantly performed in the soundtracks of Hollywood blockbusters. In Armenia, it is played everywhere: in highlands and restaurants, in nightclubs and by street musicians.

There are thousands of khachkars in Armenia, stones with elaborate crosses engraved on them. They are ubiquitous: in the masonry of spiritual buildings, in forests, on rocks and mountain peaks...

Lavash (traditional Armenian thin bread) is considered a herald of welfare and prosperity; it binds marriages and is sacrificed before a new beginning. Dried lavash can easily be stored for 7 months. Today, tourists are offered a master class in baking lavash: how to roll out the dough thinly, swirl it over their heads and send it into a tonir – a fiery oven in the ground.

WILDLIFE

There are places in Armenia that capture your imagination. Magnificent Sevan – the largest lake in the Caucasus. Tucked away high in the mountains of Tavush is the marvelous Lastiver cave. During the middle Ages, caravan robbers particularly took a liking to Lastiver. Today, it is a favorite destination for tourists. The path to the cave is flanked by several quaint treehouses and goes past a picturesque waterfall – the legendary “Ottoman of Seven Cyclops", under the Celtic cross khachkar and past the church hidden in the tall grass.

In Armenia, it is a must-see to visit the Symphony of Stones in the valley of Garni, the terracotta cliffs of Vayots Dzor, the cave town of Old Goris and the meteors of Khndzoresk. Plunge into the "Mermaid Hair", waterfall in Jermuk, climb to Lake Kari – the stone lake atop Mount Aragats, dive under the famous Umbrellas – the waterfall of Mamrot Kar with overgrown moss, located in the gorge of Unot in Artsakh, and snap a photo of a trout by the Trchkan waterfall. They swim upstream for spawning, and can jump up to 23 meters in one swing. Witness their flight and marvel at the sacred Skhtorashen plane trees listed as one of the oldest trees of the planet.

CHASING ADVENTURE

If you are ready to consider high-mountain diving or paragliding, this is the perfect place to be baptized. A flight in an air balloon over endless mountain ranges is guaranteed to be a thrill and will end with nothing less than champagne and an aeronautics certificate. The popular rock climbing walls (5a-7 difficulty grade) nestled in the “Valley of Sorrows” stand ready to challenge you. Keep going, and you will reach monastery of Noravank. In the very same valley you can also discover Archeri – meaning bear cave, which is a special treat for speleologists.

Armenia has over 300 days of sun, an amazing advantage in the world of paragliding. Feel the wind as you take off on a cross-country flight around Armenia!

Heading north through the country, into the high mountains of Tavush, explorers are encouraged to visit the local extreme park and go on horse treks that span the mountains of Dilijan and Yenokavan – vistas that rival the Swiss Alps. Armenia is undoubtedly an ideal place for hiking and cycling. Mount Aragats, Azhdahak and Spitakasar in the Geghama mountain range, as well as mount Khustup are the most interesting sites for trekking. The extremely diverse terrains all brought together in a limited space give avid trekkers an overwhelming sensation. Trekkers can also avoid being overloaded by too much luggage, travel light and stay overnight at the houses of locals.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS: PRESERVED HERITAGE WITH A MODERN TWIST

Armenians have preserved their family traditions and the lifestyle of their ancestors. Just as before, the elderly are treated with a great degree of respect and attention. Hospitality is also deeply rooted in Armenian traditions. Despite hardships and the fact that not everybody enjoys a carefree life, people are remarkably welcoming, hospitable, and honest.

However, just like in ancient times, young men and women eat a salty cracker on the day of St. Sargis (Armenian Valentine day) to dream of their betrothed. Newlyweds build a fire on the streets and jump over it on Trndez (traditional holiday) to have a long lasting and happy marriage. Clergymen consecrate grapes, and on Vardavar, the celebration of water and fertility (Transfiguration in Christianity) people splash each other all day in the belief that water cures and purifies.

If you’ve been splashed with water on Vardavar, be ready for a successful and happy year. On Vardavar young women decorate the water springs with rose petals as a tribute to Astghik, the pagan goddess of beauty who wove roses into her hair.

YEREVAN: A CITY THAT SHATTERS STEREOTYPES

Your trip to Armenia will probably start with Yerevan. The capital city is one of the most ancient cities in the world with a rich history and incredible atmosphere. The city that is 29 years older than Rome is known today for breaking all kinds of stereotypes: the past is in absolute harmony with the present, and the traditional East goes hand in hand with the modern West. Despite how old the city is, Yerevan still looks very young. Concrete jungles of multi-story houses are mixed with the warmth of old masonry featuring the shade of the tuff stone, granting Yerevan the title of the Pink City. There is no rush in Yerevan: employees of city cafes slowly trim the lawns and serve visitors coffee as the latter leisurely leaf through magazines or their gadgets. Morning yoga classes turn into evening folk dances at the Cascade.

In the streets, you will find works of the best sculptors of the modern world; in museums – mysterious artifacts; in galleries – paintings of Armenian and world classics; at the flea markets – brilliant creations of contemporary painters, ceramists and jewelers.

Nightlife in Yerevan beckons with classic music concerts, sounds of folk music, jam sessions by jazz musicians, night club music, performances of musicians of all types, and wine bars along Saryan Street. Do not miss out on the opportunity to see the show of singing fountains; enjoy delicious food in fashionable restaurants or fast-food places.

DESTINATION FOR FOOD CONNOISSEURS

Guests visiting Armenia are very fortunate: Armenian cuisine has stood the test of time for two millennia and offers bountiful tables of mouthwatering dishes that are accompanied with copious drinks and intimate toasts. Here, you will enjoy an inexpensive full dinner at a respectable restaurant, aromatic coffee at a cafe and local fruits and berries at the markets, fresh from the orchard. Armenia is a place where recipes are passed on from generation to generation and signature specialties become a treasured family secret. It is a place where chefs conjure in the kitchen while keeping to traditional recipes, offering a modern interpretation or even boldly experimenting with the past. You will learn how to bake lavash, make khorovats (barbeque), tolma (meat wrapped in grape leaves) and learn to distinguish authentic Armenian brandy. You will be offered a taste of crawfish with fresh beer. A seemingly casual drink, yet in the V century B.C. Xenophon, an ancient Greek historian, mentioned in “Anabasis” that the beer he tried in Armenia had excellent taste. National Geographic included Yerevan in the list of “Six Unexpected Cities for the Food Lovers” mentioning the capital city as one of the best places in Asia with a rich cuisine: the magazine advises food lovers to try gastro tours to Armenia. Armenia is a country of century-old traditions of winemaking, the founder of which is considered to be a biblical patriarch who planted the first vine at the foot of Mountain Ararat. The traditions of ancient winemakers are properly preserved by modern winemakers. Thus, it is no surprise that the terroir of Vayots Dzor produces wine that is included in top ten best wines in the world according to Bloomberg Business weekly.

The manufacturing of ARARAT brandy was founded in Armenia 130 years ago, quickly gained international recognition, and was even supplied to the court of the Russian Emperor. It was starred in almost all Soviet movies, traveled to space; often times rescued drifting polar explorers and was preferred by Winston Churchill. ARARAT brandy is one of the symbols of Armenia, an indispensable attribute of a generous traditional feast. It bears witness to the most vivid and joyful moments of people’s lives – at weddings, birthdays, and gatherings of friends. ARARAT brandy is the most famous souvenir from Armenia without which no guest leaves the country.

WINTER IN ARMENIA

Drive through snowy roads, master snow scooters, stay at skiing resorts. Free riders prefer the slopes of Mount Aragats, while downhill skiers, snowboard skiers, cross-country skiers come to the ski resort in Tsakhkadzor, which translates to “gorge of flowers”. There is every opportunity to exercise your favorite winter sport since the slopes do not crust and the undisturbed snow supports the boards perfectly.

The ski resort in Tsakhkadzor on the hills of Mount Teghenis is 40 minutes away from Zvartnots airport. Trails of all levels of difficulty start from the peak of the mountain, which you can reach via Leitner ropeway with heated seats. You will not have to wait in line for the ropeway in Tsakhkadzor. The highest point of skiing is 2819 m which is just 10m lower than the highest one in Courchevel.

Tsakhkadzor ropeway has three levels: the regular ski lift takes skiers to 2400 m. The total time to reach the third level is about 40 minutes. There is a height difference of 1200 m.

Khash is a dish that used to be for the impoverished in pagan times; it consisted of cooked of veal knuckles and giblets. Today it is considered a delicacy and is usually served during the months that contain the letter ‘r’, from April to September inclusive. The only place that serves khash regardless of the month is located at Mount Aragats.

http://everythingexperiential.businessworld.in/article/The-country-of-unforgettable-emotions-Armenia/21-01-2020-182483/

[Yervant1]

PhilStar, Philippines

March 7 2020

What do Cher, the Kardashians, Andre Agassi, Charles Aznavour (& even Steve Jobs) have in common?

PURPLE SHADES - Letty Jacinto-Lopez (The Philippine Star

The answer to that titular question is that they are all Armenians!

Cher, the Hollywood singer and actress, continues to reinvent herself in her risqué fashion style and music concerts. The Kardashians have become a byword in reality TV, celebrating their opulent lifestyle and complicated dalliances. Andre Agassi is a celebrated tennis legend; the late Charles Aznavour was a popular French balladeer who earned a strong following with platinum hits like She, Hier Encore (Yesterday when I was Young), and was a strong advocate of his ancestral homeland, Armenia.

And who doesn’t know Apple computer founder Steve Jobs? His adopted mother Clara Hagopian was Armenian, but Jobs welcomed everything Armenian into his life, including speaking the language fluently.

With that, we began our interesting tour of Armenia, arranged by Arlina Onglao. We drove from Tbilisi, Georgia, to Yerevan, Armenia — about five hours — stopping at an Armenian bakeshop that lured us with the smell of freshly baked lavash made from flour, water, salt, and sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds. They were fired in a deep cylindrical clay stone oven called a toneer. The dough is slapped against the wall of the toneer. The bread was hot, filling and totally satisfying.

How can you spot Armenia on the world map? It’s the only country shaped like the profile of a young girl.

What caught my eye? Religious estampitas of the Mother and Child — a sometimes chubby Mary was shown with the Infant Jesus holding the Armenian native fruit, the pomegranate, or baby Jesus holding a globe, a crucifix or simply with hands posed in greeting. They were completely different in style, color, garments and facial _expression_, yet recognizable to all religious groups.

We went to the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, or the Matenadaran (“Mat” means manuscript, while “Danaran” means place), where you can really appreciate the Bible as a book.

Prepare yourself to be dazzled by this repository of ancient manuscripts that cover a broad range of subjects: theology, history, medicine, literature, art and cosmography — the sea, earth and universe. This museum-cum-institute holds one of the world’s richest written collections dating back to thousands of years ago.

I was captivated to see works of the early scribes, who used ink dyes from natural stones like lapis lazuli, malachite, and gold. The red ink came from worms or scaled insects called cochineal (from the pulverized bodies of insects), while book covers were made of carved ivory dating back to the 6th century. Goatskin was used for the pages.

Armenia 101

In history, the Armenian kingdom was described as spanning “sea to sea,” covering the green parts of Turkey down to Mesopotamia, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and the Black, Caspian and Mediterranean Seas.

Armenians didn’t participate in the holy synods in Calcedonia and Nicea. They are Christians belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, which is one of the oldest Christian churches. They were founded in the 1st century AD and, in 301 AD, became the first branch of Christianity to become a religion. The head of their church is called Catholicos, who resides in Echmiadzin, near Yerevan.

Armenia gained independence from Russia in 1990 when their churches and monasteries were reopened. Armenian monks are found in St. Lazarus near Venice, in Israel (the Holy Land), and in Turkey. They speak Russian and English, too.

We were introduced to the duduk, an Armenian wind instrument that sounds like an oboe, made from apricot wood. It is described as producing sad, solemn sounds that are truly haunting. I heard an Armenian say that it is like being transported back to a “windswept Caucasian hill 2,000 years ago.”

Armenian food

An Armenian meal usually starts with mezze — appetizers made of cheese, cut vegetables and cured meat. Manti is soup with dumplings shaped like little boats stuffed with ground lamb or beef and topped with fresh yoghurt. They were golden, crunchy and tasty.

Traditional dishes include Basturma, cured meat served with Armenian red wine; Khoravat, barbecued meat grilled over a wood fire so it has a smoky flavor; Kashlama, slow-cooked lamb or beef served with vegetables; Dolma, meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves; Su Boreg, a boiled phyllo dish; Harissa, or chicken porridge; and Gata — not our coconut milk but sweet bread or puff pastry stuffed with nuts.

At Lake Sevan they served us fish kebabs that were marinated with spices and grilled. And, like in Georgia, they also have the Churchkela (a string of walnuts dipped into fruit juices) and the Tklapi, or fruit lavash made from fruit puree, sun-dried on a clothesline and rolled up into paper-thin sheets.

http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/lifestyle/sunday-life/20200308/t1-3.jpg

Sculpture by Jaume Plensa

Mt. Ararat & Noah’s Ark

The national symbol of Armenia is Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the great flood. It is depicted on their coat of arms. Our guide, Ani Manoukian, told us that visitors like releasing doves in the hopes that they will fly to Mount Ararat.

Noah supposedly died at the age of 950, 350 years after the great flood.

You can actually climb up the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts (CCA) or The Cascade, a museum built ziggurat-style (meaning it’s a pyramid-shaped with two to seven tiers). You can ascend stairs to reach each level. There’s a well-manicured garden with bronze sculptures by world-renowned artists/sculptors such as Pablo Picasso, Jaume Plensa, Fernando Botero, etc.

http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/lifestyle/sunday-life/20200308/t1-5.jpg

Author Letty Lopez at Ararat mountains from the Khor Virap Monastery

Philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian built The Cascade as a poignant memorial to Armenia.

I loved the tragic but brilliant love story preserved in Noravank Monastery, designed and built by Momik, the architect. “Anything he touched turned to magic,” and Momik fell in love with a princess who reciprocated his feelings. The father of the princess agreed to their marriage, provided Momik built first “a temple of incredible and unmatched beauty.”

Momik went to work, cutting chunks of rock and carving them into building blocks. He was soon putting finishing touches on the dome while crouching on the very top of the temple when, suddenly, Momik was pushed off by a jealous suitor of the princess. Momik plummeted to the ground, clutching the last block of the dome in his hands. That stone became his tombstone. But the beauty of Noravank never died.

http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/lifestyle/sunday-life/20200308/t1-2.jpg

Echmiadzin Museum

Biblical artifacts

You can find relics traceable to Jesus and other biblical artifacts at the Echmiadzin Museum, a mouthful to pronounce.

Among the reliquaries we viewed were the Holy Lance (Geghart) that pierced the side of Christ; the true Cross of Jesus; wood from Noah’s Ark; and relics from the apostles Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Andrew and George, including Ananias (a disciple of Jesus mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles). He was sent by Jesus to restore the sight of Saul of Tarsus and provide him with additional instruction on the way of the Lord. He baptized Saul, who became known as St. Paul.

The Armenian Genocide took place in 1915 during World War I. Leaders of the Turkish government set into motion a plan to expel and massacre Armenians living in Turkey, executing intellectuals, burning homes, pillaging villages, raping and killing women and children and sending them on death marches through the desert without food and water.

By 1920, millions of Armenians perished, with many more forcibly removed from Turkey in a diaspora that scattered Armenians to neighboring countries in Europe and others to faraway America, China, India and Australia.

A memorial sits on elevated ground with an arrow-shaped granite structure reaching up to the sky symbolizing the survival and spiritual rebirth of the Armenian people. Next to it is a circular structure where an eternal flame burns. Armenians and visitors alike leave flowers in memory of those who were killed and who were kicked out. The motto is “I remember and demand,” because to this day, this genocide is not recognized by Turkey.

Armenia in film

There is a beautiful two-part film on the plight of an Armenian family who settled in France that starred Omar Sharif and Claudia Cardinale entitled Mayrig and Rue Paradis. Even in exile, they kept sacred their love for Armenia, working and raising their son with honesty, integrity and unstinting love.

Another film, Ararat, traces the genocide and how generations of Armenians kept the memory alive in their hearts. Author William Saroyan was an American-Armenian novelist, playwright and short story writer. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and won the Oscar for the best film adaptation of his novel, The Human Comedy. He wrote extensively about the Armenian immigrant life in California.

Our guide Ani Manoukian aroused feelings of empathy within me when she said, “Anywhere in the world, where there is an Armenian, there is a common pathos we share. We draw this collective sigh of longing for home. Armenia is where our heart is, forever and lovingly entrenched.”

With that, Ani took us to La Folie for more traditional Armenian cuisine. We said “Bari!” which means “bon appétit.”

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2020/03/08/1998932/what-do-cher-kardashians-andre-agassi-charles-aznavour-even-steve-jobs-have-common?fbclid=IwAR1Jbw43sCp1iZyALr4keGaJ5xx8mRMX_CaVbKMfwzojxQ2yWjAO0tLKrEE

[Yervant1]

Title: Meet Sven Who Became Armenian & Built Little Armenia in Norway.

Vol 5.33 • August 16, 2020

Sven Erik Rise – The Norwegian who became Armenian by choice

Even his school students in Norway call him Tigran when they want to get his attention. But the name is not enough without a proper Armenian surname. So he thought of Van...

Continue Reading

[MosJan]

"Story of a Norwegian friend of Armenia who is Armenian by Choice
If you’re looking forward to a story of another tourist who visited Armenia, ate, drank, had fun, and went back, then you’re in the wrong place. This is about a guy, named Sven Erik, who has no genetic connection to Armenia and yet, is more Armenian than many Armenians themselves"

[Yervant1]

FODORS, India

Dec 24 2020

The Stunning Churches of the World’s First Christian Nation

Sugato Mukherjee | December 24, 2020

Discover the remarkable structures and the legends within.

A journey to Armenia means discovering one of Eurasia’s legendary enclaves. The tiny nation in the Caucasus was the first to adopt Christianity as the state religion in A.D. 301. And Armenia’s early Christian structures—sprawling, majestic complexes nestled in the folds of wildly green canyons and hilltops—bear brilliant testimony to the creative power of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Armenia’s deeply religious past is also manifested in its pagan temples and monasteries tucked deep in the wildflower-dappled hills and valleys.

Surprisingly, all of these apostolic complexes have been immaculately preserved from the medieval ages. While Christian churches across Europe with ornate frescoes and heavily decorated interiors look beautiful, the Armenian churches are markedly different with a signature architectural style.

Khor Virap

Khor Virap monastery is at the foothills of the biblical Mt. Ararat (elevation 16,854 feet) near the closed Turko-Armenian border. Originally established as a prison site, it had held Grigor Lusavorich in a subterranean pit (Khor Virap in Armenian means “deep dungeon”) for 13 years. The story goes that Lusavorich cured the Armenian monarch of a fatal disease and subsequently converted him to Christianity. Soon after, the Caucasian kingdom became the first official Christian nation in the world in A.D. 301. Lusavorich was sainted as Gregory the Illuminator and Khor Virap, which took its current incarnation in the 17th century, has remained the most visited sacred pilgrimage site of Armenia.

Zvartnots

Zvartnots was an early Christian cathedral, consecrated in A.D. 652, about 10 kilometers west of Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Zvartnots stood as one of the tallest structures in the world at 45 meters for 320 years before its collapse in the 10th century. The reason for its destruction is still contested: it could be an earthquake or a result of Arab invasions. The cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.

Sevanavank

Sevanavank, one of the earliest monasteries of Armenia, is located on the northwestern shores of Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus region. According to an inscription in one of the churches, the monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874. The church buildings were constructed from black tuff, which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank—“the Black Monastery.”

Geghard

The ornate and massive complex of Geghard monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage site, stands at the entrance of the Azat Valley in central Armenia. Founded by Gregory the Illuminator in the 4th century, it is also known as the “Monastery of the Spear,” named after the spear used to stab Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. It was brought to Armenia and housed inside Geghard monastery, and is now stored in the treasury of Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Inside the rock-cut chapel of Geghard runs a natural spring, and its water is considered holy.

Noravank

Located 122 kilometers from Yerevan, the sheer brick-red cliffs of a narrow gorge cut by the Amaghu River nestles Noravank monastery within its deep folds in a spectacular setting. The double-storeyed monastery is best known for its upper floor church, accessible by a dank stone staircase that protrudes from the façade of the 13th-century building—one of the earliest examples of cantilever architecture.

Hovhannavank

Hovhannavank monastery on the edge of Kasagh river canyon adjacent to the village of Ohanavan. The monastic complex consists of the 4th-century basilica church of St. John the Baptist and the main church of St. Karapet (St. John’s other name). The basilica was completely renovated between 1652 and 1734.

Haghpat

The medieval Haghpat monastery was built between the 10th and 13th centuries. It is a brilliant example of early Armenian architecture where small niches were created to fit stones in such a design that would survive an earthquake. In its earliest stage, Haghpat was a center of copying ancient manuscripts and had a huge book depository. Much of its interiors have remained intact including the food storage area, 13th-century grindstones, and a community eating space for the monks.

Garni

Garni, the 1st-century Hellenistic temple, stands on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ravine of the Azat River, at a distance of 26 kilometers from Yerevan. The temple is a part of the fortress of Garni, strategically located for the defense of the kingdom. It is also the only remaining example of Greco-Roman colonnaded architectural style in Armenia and the whole of the former Soviet Union.

https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-stunning-churches-of-the-worlds-first-christian-nation?fbclid=IwAR1Wlu4jtVPJHPINTlwOhx6UWuKTgeG1P3o7HBaZaxgYZ9lSt0uycpgfzDM