Yervant1 Posted November 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 Forbes Nov 16 2022 Will Travel For Food: 11 Can’t Miss Culinary Experiences In Armenia Breanna Wilson Contributor Travel writer obsessed with remote destinations and finding the world's most badass adventures. A cuisine that’s remarkably diverse from its north to south, Armenian food isn’t just rich in flavors – it’s rich in history, as well. Presented with modest simplicity, the dishes and wine traditions here, some of the first in the world, can only be understood once you step foot in the country, making Armenia a destination that should no longer be overlooked, especially by gastronomes and oenophiles. But what is it about Armenian food that’s worthy of a discerning traveler’s attention? And why now? Maybe it’s the explosive flavors that come with every bite. Or the traditions and stories behind even the simplest of dishes, from khash to horats panir. Or this excerpt from cookbook author Lena Tachdjian in Vegan Armenian Kitchen that answers those questions perfectly, “it’s the robust flavor of the local produce – whether it be eggplants, mushrooms, tomatoes, or even just fresh greens and herbs. Armenian cuisine allows for simple meals that highlight these ingredients to shine and speak for themselves.” While checking out the local restaurants and cafes in Yerevan gives visitors a surface-level introduction to Armenian food, there are far better ways to explore the cuisine – and to do a deep dive into its traditions, techniques, and the people keeping this part of their heritage alive. And that means getting out, getting your hands dirty, and exploring by way of these 11 different culinary experiences in Armenia. Go on a Wild Food Adventure with 2492 Journey to a land untouched with 2492’s Wild Food Adventures, an interactive culinary experience set in Armenia’s great outdoors where local hosts sit down and share a 3-course meal made with traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients with interested guests. Here, you won’t just learn about Armenia’s rich culinary traditions and history – you’ll become a part of them. Choose between three adventures: the Areni Cliffs, an Areni vineyard, or the Yeranos Mountains. The Areni Cliffs give you the chance to see endangered bezoar goats with a bird’s-eye view of the 13th-century Noravank Monastery while the Areni vineyard experience gives you the chance to sip local wine in a golden-hued field as the sun sets behind you. Or, lastly, go for the 2492 adventure in the Yeranos Mountains where you’ll be transported to a Martian-like terrain before settling down to a traditional meal among the mountaintops. Go Foraging at Sona Guesthouse Dsegh village is one of Armenia's most sought after escapes and Sona Guesthouse is the perfect stop for hungry travelers passing through. Run by Ashot and Anahit Bezhanyan, the guesthouse is named after one of their grandchildren. With a handful of culinary experiences to pick from, each of them requires putting in some work before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Depending on the season, forage for mushrooms, local herbs (such as hornbeam and malva), berries (including blackberries, rosehip, and cornel), or other plants in the green mountains and forests of Lori. Once you’ve rounded up your haul, Ashot and Anahit will teach you how to make soups, salads, preserves, or juice, the traditional Armenian way. Owner Anahit standing in front of Sona Guesthouse, Armenia. ABSOLUTE ARMENIA Make Sasna Klulik at Noosh Guesthouse In Aragatsotn province, the tiny village of Ashnak is home to Noosh, a guesthouse and restaurant run by local Ani Hovhannisyan and her friend, Gayane Malishenko. The Armenian word for almond, the guesthouse's name represents the 23 almond trees located on the guesthouse grounds. Noosh offers a deep dive into Sasun culture and cooking, a culture that remains strong today after they were forced to relocate here more than a century ago. Guests are given the chance to try their hand at making sasna klulik, a savory dish made from pickled cabbage, wheat, and spices. If you plan your trip at the right time, you may even have the opportunity to watch performances of yarkhushta, kochari, and other traditional dances while enjoying a meal with your new Sasun friends. Bury Horats Panir at Old Martiros Guesthouse Hamlet Yeghiadzaryan and Gohar Babayan are the husband-wife team that runs Old Martiros Guesthouse in one of the oldest villages in Armenia. Created to cater to adventurers looking to take advantage of the new hiking trails developed in the region, the guesthouse not only offers a comfortable place to stay for the night but guests are also greeted with a variety of culinary experiences, such as learning how to make 'horats panir' cheese, a buried cheese that originates in Yeghegnadzor, Vayk, and nearby villages. Gohar will show you how to press the cheese into clay pots and add local, hand-picked mountain herbs in between layers to enrich its flavor. You'll then head to the cellar to store it, where it will remain for 3-5 months before it’s ready to be enjoyed. Eat the Best of Meghri at Khachats Toun More of a DIY experience, heading to Armenia’s far south offers the opportunity to experience an entire new world of flavors, fruits, and hospitality. Located on the Iranian border, Meghri’s archaeological finds date back to the 7th-century BC, and the city boasts a food culture all its own. The city is particularly known for its pomegranates, which also happen to be one of the national symbols of Armenia. Travelers will also find olives, quince, persimmons, medlar, kiwi, and more growing in the region. To really experience the hospitality and food of Meghri, stop into Khachats Toun Heritage Hotel. Founded by local Shahane Khachikyan in her family’s historic home, Khachats Toun hosts guests from all over the globe looking to put their taste buds to the test with some of the finest ingredients from Southern Syunik, including the region’s finest fruit-infused vodkas. Visit an Armenian Gastro Yard at Yeganyans A place where guests can really experience the local culture, Armenia’s new ‘gastro yards’ give travelers the chance to taste their way through local dishes, and even take a culinary masterclass while they’re at it. Today, you can find them dotted across various parts of the country, with one in particular in Ashtarak worth seeking out – Yeganyans' Guest House and Wine Yard. Run by locals Nelly and Sedrak, Sedrak has his own vineyard nearby where he grows more than ten varieties of grapes that he uses to make his own wine. Guests are invited to learn more about this process and will even have the chance to bottle wine to take home with them. While travelers spend time with Sedrak learning about Armenian wine, it’s Nelly’s homemade meals that round out this gastro yard visit. Taste Armenian Cheese at the Mikayelyan Family Farm In the small village of Artsvakar in Armenia's Gegharkunik region, gastronomes will be delighted to find Mikayelyan Family Farm, a family-owned cheesemaking farm that has gained national recognition across Armenia in recent years. The modern facility is a place where you can learn more about caseiculture (the art of making cheese), tour the cheese cellar, and pair the experience with an assorted platter of cheese and local wines. What’s most unique about this experience are the Armenian-centric ingredients highlighted in the cheesemaking process – sample everything from a surprisingly delicious sea buckthorn spread to cheese rinds prominent with cognac, wine, or mint and pick your favorite cheeses to take with you on the road. Sit Among the Vineyards at Momik Wines Wine experiences in Armenia are a dime a dozen but Momik Wines offers an experience like no other. The Armenian winery has been in Nver Ghazaryan’s family for nearly half a century, and they focus on growing endemic Areni grapes from the region, which also happens to be where the world's oldest winery is found. Today, Nver and his wife Narine aren’t just famous for their grapes – the vineyard is a prime example of OneArmenia's Farm-to-Bottle initiative, a program that encouraged local grape farmers to keep their yield and create their own wines instead of selling to larger manufacturers. For the best experience at Momik Wines, book a wine tasting paired with a small selection of food and sit among some of the world's oldest vines while sipping on wine made from these extraordinary Areni and Kharji grapes. Take a Culinary Masterclass at Hotel Mirhav Located in the heart of Goris, Hotel Mirhav is one of the first hotels built in post-Soviet Armenia. While the feeling here is luxurious without the pretentiousness, it’s the gastronomic experiences the hotel offers that really set it apart from others in the region. Hotel director Gayane Martirosyan teaches eager (and hungry) guests how to make everything from tolma to Armenian plov to zhengyalov hats in the comforts of Mirhav's spacious kitchen and dining room. Hotel Mirhav can also set up guests with local families to learn how to distill vodka with home-grown mulberries, wild pears, rosehips, and more. Make Chanakh and Pokhind at Chalet Gyumri Gyumri is Armenia's second-largest city and easily one of the most underrated places in the region. A city renowned for its humor, Gyumri also has some uniquely Armenian dishes to show off to visitors, and at Chalet Gyumri guests are given the chance to check them out. Under the guidance of owner Karine Tumasyan hungry guests are given the chance to make her family recipe for chanakh, a Gyumri comfort food made in a clay pot. While the chanakh cooks, Tumasyan continues the lesson, showing guests one more family recipe – this time in the form of the dessert pokhind. Learn to Make Gata with Legends Guesthouse Close to Yeghegis in the village Artabuynk, Legends Guesthouse is a family-owned business that combines a masterclass where visitors learn how to make one of Armenia's favorite sweets, gata, with a trip to the nearby Smbataberd Fortress. While Gata can be found across the country (like in Artabuynk), but with different regional variations, it’s the version from the Upper Azat Valley's Geghard and Garni that is most famous. Here, visitors will learn how to make gata in a tonir (a stone oven buried in the ground) with the guesthouse’s owner Tamara before taking a short hike with Vardan and Karen to Smbataberd. https://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2022/11/16/will-travel-for-food-11-cant-miss-culinary-experiences-in-armenia/?sh=52bf8d32393f 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted December 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2022 Dec 6 2022 TRAVEL This new trail reveals the wonders of Armenia—a country at the crossroads of the worldA 500-plus mile hiking path shows off the tiny nation’s stunning mountains and top-notch hospitality.BYMARK JOHANSON DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE—JUST OVER 11,000 SQUARE MILES—ARMENIA PACKS A WEALTH OF SCENERY, WILDLIFE, AND EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORY INTO ITS CRAGGY TERRAIN. IT’S A HIKER’S DREAM, WITH LANDSCAPES WINDING THROUGH THE CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS FROM THE ARID ARAS VALLEY, AT THE IRANIAN BORDER, TO LUSH FORESTS ROLLING INTO GEORGIA.BUT UNTIL RECENTLY, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO HIKE ACROSS THE WHOLE OF THIS NATION AT THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE AND ASIA. “I REMEMBER LOOKING OUT AT THESE MOUNTAINS AND THINKING, ‘MY GOD, I REALLY WANT TO EXPLORE THEM’,” SAYS TOM ALLEN, A BRITISH ADVENTURER AND TRAIL DEVELOPER WHO FIRST VISITED THE COUNTRY IN 2008. “BUT THERE WERE NO HIKING MAPS OF THE COUNTRY, GOOGLE MAPS WAS BASICALLY BLANK, AND THE SOVIET MILITARY MAPS WERE CLASSIFIED.”ALLEN’S EXPERIENCE LED HIM TO DESIGN A 514-MILE ROUTE CROSSING ARMENIA, WHICH LAUNCHED IN EARLY 2022. WORKING WITH NGOS HIKEARMENIA AND TRAILS FOR CHANGE, ALLEN AND TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS NOT ONLY BUILT FRESH TRAILS BUT ALSO LINKED SOVIET-ERA 4X4 TRACKS, HERDING ROUTES, AND LONGTIME FOOTPATHS. IT ALL WINDS THROUGH CLOUD-HUGGING PASTURES PAST ANCIENT MONASTERIES, STONE VILLAGES, AND CRUMBLING CARAVANSERAIS FROM THE DAYS WHEN THE SILK ROAD MADE ARMENIA RICH. LEFT: A VOLUNTEER HELPS TO BUILD THE ARCH TRAIL, A PORTION OF THE TRANSCAUCASIAN TRAIL NEAR THE RESORT TOWN OF DILIJAN.PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM ALLEN, TCT ARMENIARIGHT: THE TRAIL PASSES THROUGH THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF THE VAYOTS DZOR PROVINCE IN SOUTHEASTERN ARMENIA.PHOTOGRAPH BY GLP FILMS This Armenian section is the first country-wide through-hike of the greater Transcaucasian Trail (TCT), which will one day link Armenia with Georgia and Azerbaijan via an 1,800-mile network going west-east from the Black Sea to the Caspian, and north-south from the Greater to the Lesser Caucasus.The TCT’s Armenian portion offers a glimpse of what’s to come. Hiking it, past green mountains and ancient Christian monuments (including the clifftop Tatev Monastery), also gives a taste of this storied land. A trail is bornThe TCT first broke ground in 2017, when a team of volunteer trail builders began carving paths in the dense oak and hornbeam forests above Dilijan, a resort town a 90-minute drive north of the Armenian capital, Yerevan. Visitors can now follow red-and-white TCT trail markers across the nation to witness the volcanic domes of the Gegham Mountains and the emerald depths of Vorotan Canyon. The trail also passes three UNESCO-listed monasteries, which speak to Armenia’s history as the first country to establish Christianity as the state religion.(See how these traditional herders still cross the perilous trails of the Caucasus.)Still, the TCT remains a work in progress. “The trail isn’t completely marked, signposted, maintained, and beautifully groomed [yet],” says Allen. He says there are abundant resources on the TCT website—including topo maps, recommended apps, and both KML and GPX route downloads—to navigate less developed areas like the vast steppe near Lake Sevan. Wildlife and warm hospitalityThe possibility of encounters with Syrian brown bears and gray wolves adds to the appeal of hiking the TCT, as do tales of the recent return of the Caucasian leopard (which locals view, auspiciously, as a revival of the Armenian spirit). Some stretches of the TCT recall the rugged red rocks of Sedona; others the forested hills of Shenandoah.“There is a huge diversity of landscapes for such a small country,” says Jakub Babij, a through-hiker from Poland. “You have areas that are like a desert, and then parts that are similar to the Alps.”(See wildly underrated wild places on our Best of the World list.)Babij set aside 40 days to do the trail from Meghri, in the south, to Lake Arpi, near the Georgian border. He camped most nights, but occasionally slept in one of the guesthouses that have started springing up along the trail “to get a real sense of the local culture.” The hospitality of Armenians, he says, left the biggest impression. Cultural experiences, like meeting a local sheep farmer, have sprung up along the Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia.PHOTOGRAPH BY GLP FILMSMany hosts prepare sprawling khorovats (feasts) for overnight guests, with grilled meats, lavash flatbreads, soft cheeses, and vegetable and bulgur wheat salads. Shots of oghi (homemade fruit vodka) often lead to rounds of kenadz, a poetic Armenian toasting custom. An ecotourism boomRecent campaigns to promote Armenia and to fund improvements to its tourism offerings have inspired a travel boom, with visitation increasing by 15 percent each year from 2010 to 2020. Ardag Kosian, executive director of HIKE Armenia, says cash flowing into communities beyond Yerevan (where one-third of Armenians live) makes the TCT key for rural development. “When you have a village that doesn’t have a lot of resources, and you have villagers opting to leave rather than stay, there needs to be a way for them to make a living,” he says. “Ecotourism is a surefire way to do that.”In 2018, Garnik Gevorgyan built a campsite along the TCT with hot showers, covered picnic tables, and a restaurant serving locally grown food. He was inspired by tourists who had started showing up in his tiny village, Artavan, seeking lodgings and meals.(Discover Mayan history on Mexico’s first through-hike.)“I don’t see it as a business; it’s showing my way of life,” he says. “Before the TCT, nobody knew the name of my village—not even Armenians. Now it’s like Artavan finally exists.”HIKEArmenia has been instrumental in disseminating trekking intelligence through its website, app, and information center in downtown Yerevan. It’s also funded much of the infrastructure-building (though NGO Trails for Change builds most routes). Assisting rural communities remains HIKEArmenia’s main focus. Armenia, the first country to decree Christianity its state religion, is home to ancient holy sites such as the Kobayr Monastery, a 12th-century complex built at the brink of a gorge.PHOTOGRAPH BY GLP FILMSThe idea is that hikers can do loop trails or day paths and stay in one place for a few nights. Take Old Martiros, for example. This ancient village now lures tourists with trails out to lakes, traditional Armenian cross-stones, and a rock-hewn church carved into the mountainside. While in town, travelers can buy local products such as dried stone fruits, gata pastries, and wine. “The longer they’re there, the more impact,” says Kosian.Hiking along ancient thoroughfares from village to village, “you see things that are thousands of years old,” Kosian adds. “You meet families who have lived in the same place for generations. They tell you stories about how they used the trail you’re walking on to go to school. And all of this adds age and depth. It becomes more than just hiking; it becomes walking through an open-air museum.” A boost to hiking across the CaucasusArmenia was once merely the realm of intrepid hikers who connected the dots on their own. The TCT, which is expected to draw a hundred through-hikers this year (and thousands more day hikers), gives the country a way to draw “soft adventure” travel as well. All the while, the trail has fostered a burgeoning outdoors movement within Armenia, with local trail clubs helping maintain the route.A similar buzz now exists across the border in Georgia, which has 84 miles of its TCT complete, and in Azerbaijan, where $10,000 in government funding is jumpstarting trail development. “This came as a surprise,” says Allen, “because Azerbaijan’s government was funding a shared project with Armenia.” The neighbors have fought two wars over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Tensions remain high and borders are closed (the TCT will enter Azerbaijan via Georgia).“If nothing else, [the TCT] will show that it’s possible for there to be a shared project that has little to do with geopolitics and a lot to do with what all of these countries have in common,” says Allen. “I’d like to think that, one day soon, the TCT will become a hopeful, symbolic thing for the region.” In a way, it already is.Mark Johanson is a travel writer based in Chile. Follow him on Instagram.See photos at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/armenia-trail-ancient-churches-hiking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 7, 2022 Report Share Posted December 7, 2022 good find. nice article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted December 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 Dec 18 2022 Armenian Alphabet is Catalyst for Cultural Endurance Updated on December 18, 2022 by Meg The Armenian alphabet is crucial to the identity of its people and the country’s longevity as one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Armenia may be most well-known by the rest of the world for its great diaspora, the result of genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks that claimed the lives of about 1.2 million Armenians from 1915 to 1922. There are almost four times as many Armenians living outside their homeland than in it—the country has a population of three million and the diaspora numbers 11 million. Yet despite waves of onslaughts over the millennia by aggressors, this tiny landlocked nation lays claim to being one of the ten oldest countries in the world, along with better-known ancient civilizations like China, Egypt and Greece. In fact, in 2018 Armenia celebrated its 2800th anniversary. How did Armenia manage to maintain its identity for more than two millennia, while scores of countless other countries have disappeared from history? Well, just like the oldest story ever told, in the beginning, was the word. Or, more specifically, the alphabet. Join me for a journey through Armenia’s cultural landscape and a glimpse at how its writing system has been possibly the single biggest force behind the endurance of Armenian identity. Ararat, The Resting Place of Noah's Ark The best place to start is always the beginning. The fortress of Erebuni is the predecessor site to Armenia’s capital of Yerevan. Today, the ruins of Erebuni sit high above the modern-day metropolis; the site is an evocative and peaceful place to contemplate the history of the country...and it's future at this pivotal time, so full of hope. The Erebuni Fortress sits atop a 213-foot hill that overlooks modern Yerevan. Numerous cuneiform inscriptions carved in basalt have been found around the complex. Photos: Meg pier Erebuni was founded in 782 B.C. by the Urartians, the earliest known ancestors of the Armenian people. In the 1950s, an archaeological survey of Erebuni uncovered tablets with cuneiform inscriptions that suggest linguistic evidence of a link between the Urartu and Armenian languages dating to the 3rd - 2nd millennium B.C. Urartu can be translated as “Ararat” and indeed the iconic peaks of this dormant volcano are visible throughout Yerevan and are a powerful ever-present reminder for Armenians of their identity—and oppression. Ararat is known around the world as the resting place of Noah’s Ark— which, according to Armenian tradition, is the vehicle that brought the first Armenians to this mountainous region between Europe and Asia. Legend says Armenian lineage goes back to Noah; they are “people of the Ark.” Historian Razmik Panossian says Mt. Ararat “connects Armenians to the biblical narrative of human development.” To the anguish of Armenians, this majestic mountain they consider sacred came under Turkish control in the 1920 Turkish-Armenian War. Millenniums Later, and the Armenian People Are Still Fighting The name Yerevan evolved from Erebuni and according to one interpretation of an ancient inscription found nearby, the word means “victory.” It seems a fitting moniker for the home of a civilization that refuses to be defeated despite great adversity. In the past, the threats came from outsiders; in the spring of 2018, Armenia overthrew its own government, widely believed to be corrupt. In what became known as the “Velvet Revolution”, the Armenian people took charge of their destiny in a remarkable series of peaceful and highly effective protests led by activist Nikol Pashinyan. While young people were the driving force behind the protests, the movement soon spanned generations and resulted in the resignation of the prime minister, with Pashinyan being sworn in to lead the process of change. Cafesjian Center for the Arts After my visit to Erebuni, the next stop on my quest to understand the significance of the Armenian alphabet was the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. In this massive complex of stairs, waterfalls and galleries known as the “Cascade,” I met Education Director Astghik Marabyan, who introduced me to a vivid manifestation of the Armenian alphabet’s history. Astghik showed me to the Khanjyan Gallery off the lobby on the first floor; the room is dominated by a monumental mural created by its namesake, the well-known Armenian painter Grigor Khanjyan. The piece’s three scenes illustrate important events in Armenia’s history: the creation of the Armenian Alphabet; Vardanank; and a "Resurrected Armenia". People Are Culture's interviews and stories offer a free valuable resource to teachers looking for meaningful material for their culture lesson plans. "The mural is one of the important works of Armenian culture, which presents the seminal cultural-political episodes essential for preservation and longevity of Armenian identity and the nation," Astghik said. "The creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD, one hundred years after Armenians adopted Christianity as a state religion, was a political and cultural necessity given that Armenia at that time was divided between Byzantine and Persia. The invention of the Alphabet led to unification and the rise of an Armenian identity, and also brought a new era of cultural awakening, which is considered as the Golden Age of Armenian culture." "The second part of the mural Vardanank depicts a 5th-century historical event, the famous battle against Persians in 451 AD, and symbolizes Armenians’ struggle for the preservation of their Christian identity, which had been solidified 150 years prior by the invention of the Alphabet," she continued. "The third part of the mural, Resurrected Armenia, symbolically depicts 20th century Armenia through a “constellation” of Armenian intellectual elite, and reflects the perpetual fight and cultural victory through centuries." Fostering a Love of the Armenian Alphabet Astghik also explained that the Cafesjian Center for the Arts plays a part in transmitting to the next generation a love for the alphabet. In 2011, the Center launched an educational program called My Armenian Alphabet, designed for schoolchildren of 1-4th grades and based on the Khanjyan mural. The program is one of the permanent educational initiatives of the Cafesjian Center and has engaged 600 schoolchildren to date. "The main goal of the program is to discuss the importance of the invention of the Armenian alphabet; to introduce the artist Grigor Khajnyan and the first part of the mural’s triptych depicting the Creation of Armenian Alphabet," Astghik explained. "We want to foster children’s creative thinking by revealing the magical world of letters through a workshop of drawing bird letters, usually depicting the letters of their names." "Armenian Bird letters are distinctive expressions of Armenian calligraphy and the rich tradition of Armenian illuminated manuscripts,” Astghik explained. “The first bird letter in Armenian manuscripts appeared in the middle ages in the 10th century and mainly were used as initial letters of the texts. Their iconography is mostly connected with Christian imagery, but researchers also reveal an implicit trace of pagan culture." Mesrop Mashtots’ Legacy and Magic Gospels of Matenadaran "People are surprised to learn Yerevan is older than Rome because we don't have the ancient architecture," said Tatev Muradyan, manager of the Silk Road Hotel, my base during my visit to Yerevan. "Armenians save books, not buildings." Later that day, I learned this was not just rhetoric when visiting the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, known locally as Matenadaran and revered by most Armenians. Housed in an imposing grey stone building at the top of a steep hill, the museum is considered one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscripts, spanning theology, philosophy, history, medicine, literature, art history, and cosmography. Its collection contains a total of some 23,000 manuscripts and scrolls, as well as over 500,000 other documents such as imperial decrees. A massive statue of the museum's namesake welcomes visitors with open arms, a pupil at his feet. Over the next ten days, I would come to learn just how significant Mesrop Mashtots has been to the endurance of Armenian culture for almost two millennia, despite onslaughts of oppression from its neighbors for centuries. Keep the Faith Alive, and the People United Over coffee, Dr. Erna Shirinian, chair of the Department of Ancient Armenian Literature at Matenadaran, gave me an introduction to Mashtots and his legacy. She explained that in 301 AD, Armenia became the first country in the world to officially adopt Christianity. Long the battle-ground of Romans and Persians, Armenia lost its independence in 387 and was divided between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. The early church understood this upheaval meant its existence was at stake and Mashtots was tasked by the king with creating an Armenian alphabet that could be used to keep the faith alive and the people united. According to folklore, in 404 the Saint was meditating in a cave when he had a vision of the hand of God writing an alphabet in letters of fire on the cave wall, each letter corresponding to the unique sounds of the Armenian language. He made the first letter A, which was the first letter in the word Astvats, or God, and the last letter K’, which began the word K’ristos, Christ. Whatever his inspiration, the far-reaching impact of Mashtot’s vision is indisputable. According to Antoine Meillet, a French 19th century pioneer in the field of Armenian studies, "To Mesrop we owe the preservation of the language and literature of Armenia; but for his work, the people would have been absorbed by the Persians and Syrians, and would have disappeared like so many nations of the East." Read More: Learn more about People of Armenia! The astuteness of this observation was borne out as Erna showed me around the museum; our tour began with a look at the Homily from the Mush, a massive manuscript of 603 calf-skin parchments weighing about 60 pounds. Written from 1200-1202 A.D. in the Armenian Avak Monastery now in modern-day Turkey, it is legendary because of its more recent history. Dr.-Erna-Shirinian, Photo: Meg Pier Erna explained the book was said to be found by two Armenian women in the deserted monastery during the Armenian genocide by the Turks from 1915-1917. Too heavy to be carried by one person, they split it into two, risking their lives to preserve the manuscript under their skirts as they made their escape. Eventually, the two halves were finally reunited and are now a star attraction of Matenadaran. Erna then brought me to the so-called magic gospels, books believed to have healing powers that are called ‘Nareks,' worshipped as divine objects and often they were treated as if a person. She pointed out a manuscript donated by a village to the Matenadaran with the condition that its inhabitants could visit it to share the local news; to this day, villagers come monthly to speak with the gospel as if visiting an elderly relative, telling it who died, who was born, who married and so on. The Matenadaran's collection of manuscripts documents Armenian's devotion to their alphabet and language. Photos: Meg Pier This deeply personal connection with manuscripts and the alphabet in which they are written dates back to the 5th century when Armenian philosopher David the Invincible presented a series of riddles featuring each of the alphabet’s letters as distinct and living beings, a view that was widely embraced. Erna said that aggressors seeking to conquer Armenia exploited this view. "Enemies realized they could kidnap not only people and hold them for ransom but also manuscripts," Erna said. Book of Narek, A Dictionary for Both Past and Future Vasken Brudian credits his deep affinity for a book of prayers by medieval Armenian writer Gregory of Narek as the inspiration behind his return to Armenia and founding of Ardean Gallery. A member of the diaspora who departed the country at 14 years old for America, five years ago, he left a successful L.A. architecture practice to come home to Armenia and open a design center and visual arts boutique located on Yerevan’s leafy Apovian Street, lined with outdoor cafes, elegant retail shops, book stores and restaurants, many situated in 19th century stone tufa buildings. Vasken, whose grandparents were survivors of the Genocide, explained the Book of Narek is his muse. "The prayers of Narek are used for protection and healing,” he said. “One of the traditions is when a child is born, we put a Book of Narek under the pillow. Often when we are in a stressful situation, we hold the Book of Narek as a source of comfort. St. Gregory is known for his energy—his work was intended to be read aloud and the effect was to enrich your positive energy." From Tradition to Contemporary Language Vasken explained that Ardean’s first exhibition commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Genocide. He and his team photographed different motifs from the Classical Armenian text of the Narek’s Book of Lamentations, creating a ‘dictionary’ of design elements to talk about the past, the present and the future. "The gallery features designs inspired by Armenian architecture, cross-stones, illuminated manuscripts, lace-making and other artifacts from our rich cultural heritage,” Vasken said. “The word Ardean means ‘modern’ in classical Armenian—everything we are designing is based on tradition, but we take that history and try to present it in a contemporary language." "My intention has always been the economic growth of Armenia, and to take the Armenian culture and create a world-class center of design and creative industries,” Vasken said. “I wanted to create a vocabulary that is both very Armenian and very modern, layering our rich history with the language of the 21st century, which I felt wasn’t being done." Memorializing the Armenian Alphabet Ayp ou Pen Park is the creation of another architect, designed and built near the final resting place of Mashtots on the eastern slope of Aragats mountain, in the village of Artashavan, about 45 minutes outside Yerevan. In 2005, Soviet-Armenian Jim Torosyan created this monument to the Armenian alphabet to commemorate the 1600th anniversary of its invention. Against a backdrop of dramatic vistas, 39 huge statues of each letter are scattered across a verdant hillside. The reverence and affection of Armenians for their language was poignantly played out during my visit, as scores of children romped on the letters and a father proudly held his infant son high atop one of the stone symbols. Citizens Proud of The Armenian Alphabet One morning over breakfast at the Silk Road Hotel, I watched weaver Rose Nazaryan at her loom; while seated erect on a low bench, her hands moved at such a lightning-fast speed my eyes couldn’t keep up with her motions. Not daring to break her concentration with a question, I waited until she paused to ask about her art. She told me she has been weaving for 20 years and began studying carpet-making at a cultural school when she was 13 years old. She creates largely traditional designs; the piece she was working on was a pattern of the letters of the Armenian alphabet. "My cousin lives in Moscow and this is a gift for her children, so they can learn the alphabet," she explained. "I don't like it when they speak in Russian; I want them to know their roots." Indeed, most Armenian homes around the world proudly display a work of art featuring the Armenian alphabet. "My parents displayed the Armenian alphabet in a prominent place in our home and following in their footsteps, I recently acquired an abstract image of the alphabet designed by a young artist,” said Judy Saryan, a fellow guest at the hotel and member of the diaspora from Boston. "Armenians revere invention and creativity,’ she said. “The creation of the alphabet by Mesrob Mashtots ushered in a golden age of literature and biblical translation which ensured that the Armenian language and culture would survive. The written word continues to hold a mythical place in the Armenian imagination as we see in a variety of contemporary arts." Saint Mesrop Mashtot's Cathedral I paid my respects to the creator of the Armenian alphabet by visiting Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral, the 19th-century church in the Oshaka village where he is buried. A small park at the entrance is decorated with 36 khachkars, or cross-stones, that depict the letters. As I admired them, three small boys raced onto the scene and made a beeline for the monument that depicted the first letter of their name, gleefully hugging it. One of the youngsters sported a baseball cap emblazoned with the word “dukhov” which means “with spirit” and has become a rallying cry for the "Velvet Revolution". Calligraphy, The First Response to the Velvet Revolution With the May 8 election of opposition leader Nikol Pashinian, who called for peaceful civil disobedience by the people to topple the country’s oligarchy, Armenia today is enjoying a rebirth. One evening I attended the opening of an exhibit "Armenian Revolution Posters" by Ruben Malayan, in which he melds the ancient Armenian art form of calligraphy with current events. Ruben wears many hats—award-winning art director, lecturer, graphic designer, visual effects supervisor...and calligrapher extraordinaire. He told me that he believes his exhibit was the first in response to the Velvet Revolution that had occurred here just weeks earlier. Ever since the creation of the Armenian alphabet, Armenians have been actively engaged in the practice of writing. As the writing culture-expanded among the Armenians so did the art of calligraphy. Ruben is ensuring this art form is not just revered but relevant. "For Armenians writing was never an alien practice," he said. "In the shadow of Noah's Peak, remnants of 5000-year old culture stand witness to one of the oldest known human settlements on this planet. From millennia-old archaic signs to the medieval Christian manuscripts written with use of a sophisticated alphabet – Armenian letters are a mystery." Shnorhakalut'yun Means Thank You Despite my love of travel, pronunciation of languages other than my native tongue is a mystery to me. Although linguistically challenged, I always make it a practice to learn to say at least two important words in the language of the places I visit: thank you. In Armenian, that's shnorhakalut’yun, which was admittedly a mouthful for me but one I valiantly wrangled within an attempt to be polite. People often weren't clear what I was saying, but when they realized my intention, they were delighted--and always gave me pointers on how to improve my pronunciation. At the end of my trip, I spent time at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, an innovative after-school digital learning center that provides 10,000 students with free curriculum in animation, game development, web development, and digital media. While there, Nareg Mikayelyan took me off the hook for my mangled delivery of shnorhakalut’yun. The 17-year old high school student, who was studying film-making at TUMO, pointed out that the English language, like many others, doesn’t have certain sounds that are part and parcel of the Armenian lexicon. "The Armenian alphabet has sounds from every alphabet, so people can easily learn other languages," he told me. I found this poignant, given that centuries of oppression had created an Armenian diaspora that was almost four times the size of the country’s population. I wondered if Mesrop Mashtots’ vision had foreseen the need for his people to leave their Motherland and become part of other societies around the world. Then I had a vision of my own. I felt a conviction that the perception of Armenia was changing from the inside out. Most Armenians would acknowledge that global awareness of the country has largely been limited to the genocide, its status as a former Soviet satellite and a devastating earthquake in 1988. But there was a palpable aura of empowerment and optimism for Armenia’s future among the people I met, and I had a strong sense that positive energy would soon attract vastly more visitors. What I experienced of Armenia’s rich and vibrant culture had clearly evolved from its linguistic legacy. In preserving their own alphabet and language, Armenians have retained both the letter and the spirit of their heritage, and the world is better for it. More on Armenia Discover the incredible Sasunik Armenian dance in this intriguing video! Get to know the history of Armenia with Anahit Gharibyan of the Armenian Tree Project Charitable Foundation. Listen and be moved by a poignant Armenian folk song that pleads for diaspora to come home! https://www.peopleareculture.com/armenian-alphabet/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted January 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Armenpress.am Yerevan ranked 20th safest city in the world in Numbeo index SaveShare 14:04, 11 January 2023YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian capital city Yerevan is the 20th safest city among 417 cities around the world studied by Numbeo database. Yerevan is ranked 20th with a safety index of 78.1, in between Ljubljana, Slovenia and the Dutch city of Groningen.According to the index, Abu Dhabi is the safest city with a score of 88,7. The Georgian capital Tbilisi is 43rd, the Azeri capital Baku is 84th, Turkey’s Ankara is 159th and Iran’s Tehran is 312th. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101428.html?fbclid=IwAR1hVYoC-pCF8GDTPVqim8wyZ65vn0JI9ffDOMzLQqtTEG3tCzw2K1avxzg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted January 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Armenpress.am Forbes includes Armenia in Best Places To Travel In 2023 list SaveShare 14:23, 11 January 2023YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is the first recommended travel destination in the Forbes magazine’s Best Places To Travel In 2023 article. “Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. It’s home to stunning landscapes, including the Caucasus Mountains and Lake Sevan, as well as many ancient architectural wonders, such as the Temple of Garni and the Monastery of Haghpat—some of which are recognized by UNESCO. And if you’re big into the outdoors, you can enjoy nearly as much hiking as your heart desires on the 861 kilometers (535 miles) of the Transcaucasian Trail that runs through Armenia.The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, which features a variety of fresh herbs and spices. If you’re into food, don’t miss the Armenian specialties of khash (a rich bone-broth), dolma (stuffed grape leaves), manti (baked dumplings) and, of course, homemade pickles with every meal. Rewards Spotlight: Yerevan is home to a few chain hotels including the Holiday Inn Yerevan-Republic Square which can be booked starting at around 15,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. With cash rates at this amazingly and centrally located property often reaching $180 per night or more, this is a great use for your IHG points,” Forbes said in the article. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101431.html?fbclid=IwAR0lh7BEhWBwev7oe-wZJrZSsz4fwVPIj1MjTBgOteE7SbkES8ysy8H55gI 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted March 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2023 March 21 2023 TRAVEL Why you should plan to go to Armenia this spring The country’s mountains, plummeting valleys and enticing cities come alive in the springtime. Choose from these five options reaching across diverse regions of the South Caucasus nation.BY SJ ARMSTRONG PUBLISHED 21 MAR 2023, 10:00 GMTA country in the South Caucasus, Armenia is a land of natural drama, characterised by mountains interspersed with ancient, solitary churches. Come from March to explore the depths of the Caucasus Mountains on hiking trails, swim in thermal pools overhanging verdant gorges or roam around city parks turned technicolour in the springtime bloom. The Transcaucasian TrailBest for: hikingSince the end of 2021, Armenia can be thru-hiked in its entirety thanks to the Transcaucasian Trail, the first itinerary aiming to link up the South Caucasus in one mammoth path. The 500-mile Armenian leg is the country’s only long-distance route, weaving together natural diversity and cultural heritage — desert canyons, forested hills, ancient monasteries and Silk Road caravan sites — with top-notch hospitality. Highlights include Dilijan National Park, which stretches over several mountain ranges in the northern Tavush Province, and the hard-to-reach Vorotan Canyon in southerly Syunik province. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Apostolic Tatev Monastery; one of the world’s longest cable-cars crosses two mountain peaks and the Vorotan Gorge on its way to this ninth-century complex, perched above a gorge through which the Vorotan River flows. JermukBest for: spa breaksThe quiet mountain town of Jermuk is cleanly cleaved in two, divided by a plunging gorge and the rippling Arpa River. The dramatic landscape of steely cliffs and forests offers a scenic backdrop for visitors seeking sanctuary in the town’s spa resorts, which have been attracting travellers from the surrounding regions for decades. A number of hotels offer treatments including hydrotherapy; alternatively, bathe in streams of mineral water at the Gallery of Waters or imbibe the healing aura of salt caves, a treatment known as halotherapy. For a fuller immersion in nature, take an off-road drive to the nearby slopes, where mineral hot springs offer an open-air sauna experience.Left:The medieval monastic complex of Haghpat is located in northern Armenia's Debed Canyon.PHOTOGRAPH BY TOURISM COMMITTEE OF ARMENIARight:Jermuk is surrounded by mountains, forests, rivers and gorges, which offer a dramatic backdrop to travellers visiting the resort. PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES Debed CanyonBest for: nature loversWinding its way through a forested ravine, the Debed River cleaves a path through the Caucasus Mountains in northern Armenia. Come early April, wildflowers begin to blanket the meadow edges of the namesake canyon, speckling the tall grasses red, yellow and white. Tracing its twists and turns, travellers can hike or horse ride from the village of Odzun — located on a plateau above the banks and home to one of Armenia’s finest basilicas — to millennia-old monasteries, including the UNESCO World Heritage-accredited sites of Sanahin and Haghpat, their ochre roofs stark against the green of the forested hill. There’s also an opportunity to forage for your trail snacks, scouting for wild berries and fragrant herbs. And after exerting yourself on the trails, recover with a meal at a restaurant set in one of the gorge’s cliffside caves. GyumriBest for: cultural explorers The country’s second-biggest city, Gyumri is central to Armenia’s cultural offering, having long been a magnet for artists and craftspeople. Visit one of several creative centres in the historic city, including the house-museum of poet Avetik Isahakyan and the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of National Architecture. Alternatively, join in the fun by signing up for a workshop, trying your hand at crafts like pottery, jewellery making and metal working. It's easy to reach Gyumri by train from Yerevan, the 2.5-hour route lined by apricot trees, which bear their golden fruit in the spring. Nature lovers should also take a peaceful detour from the city to paddle along the Akhuryan River and embrace the solitude of the gaping gorge. The country’s second-biggest city, Gyumri is the creative and artistic capital of Armenia.PHOTOGRAPH BY TOURISM COMMITTEE OF ARMENIA YerevanBest for: urban livingThe wide avenues of the rose-washed capital sit beneath a leafy canopy, which blooms bright fuchsia in the spring. Taking a break from outdoor escapades, travellers can stroll between coffee stalls for intense brews, admire the Cascade, a giant limestone stairwell in the city centre, and end the day on Saryan Street, home to numerous wine cafes. Spring is an ideal time to discover the city’s green areas, too: explore the carefully curated English Park, one of Yerevan’s oldest and largest, or head out to the city outskirts for views of Mount Ararat. Sprawling beds of wildflowers come alive this time of year, intensifying the beauty of this mountain scenery. Still feeling adventurous? Helicopter tours are available for a unique perspective on the city and its surroundings. Plan your tripIt’s possible to fly from the UK to Armenia via regular flights from a number of European airports, including Frankfurt and Vienna. Flights land in Yerevan and, from there, it’s easy to navigate the country by renting a car. For more information, head to armenia.travel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted March 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2023 March 24 2023 Meet The Beautiful Eastern Country Not Enough Americans Are Visiting Americans may be flying abroad in record numbers this year now that international borders have reopened and restrictions have been dropped, but a majority of them still have their hearts set on Mexico, or the cobblestone, fairytale towns of Europe. While Mexico is truly a bucket list destination, especially in the sun and sand category, and Europe undoubtedly boasts an impressive list of world-renowned historical cities and iconic sights, there is an entire world of lesser-known options yet to be explored. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and be among a select group of Americans who have dared go further, perhaps this beautiful Eastern country should be next on your travel wishlist: One Of The Most Ancient Civilizations In The World Despite its relative obscurity, Armenia is one of the most awe-inspiring and promising destinations out there. It is located not on one but two continents, and its recorded history spans at least three millennia, with a defining culture and nationhood as ancient as the early Greeks. Sitting along the Caucasus mountain range, a grey area acting as a natural divide between Europe and Asia, Armenia is both too Eastern to be considered traditionally European, yet too Western, and irrevocably Christian, to fit into the Western Asian stereotype. Armenia is almost entirely surrounded by Islam, bordering Turkiye, Iran, and Azerbaijan to the South and West, but it takes pride in being the very first nation to fully convert from paganism into Christianity in the first century A.D., and for centuries, religion has been central to Armenian identity. It has impacted not only the architecture through the construction of numerous monasteries and Orthodox churches but also the culture and the locals’ way of life. Some of the oldest Christian shrines in the world can be found here, with Etchmiadzin Cathedral’s groundbreaking taking place as early as the year 301 A.D. In other words: it is old, preceding America’s settlement by 1,306 years. Certain monuments which pre-date Christian Armenia can also be found across the country, most notably the Temple of Garni, a Greco-Roman temple built in the first century whose Ionic colonnades are virtually intact. A Historic Nation Rich In Culture And Nature Other than ancient heritage, Armenia’s recent History has been defined by revolutionary movements, in particular those that led to the formation of the now-defunct Soviet Union, of which it was a constituent republic. Needless to say, communist-era landmarks can be found all over the country. The cosmopolitan capital of Yerevan houses the most iconic monuments, including the Cascade Complex, a limestone staircase with elements of brutalism that has been an integral part of the city’s skyline since 1971, and Republic Square. Armenia itself is particularly renowned for its painting-like natural landscapes. More than 90% of the territory is at the height of 1000 meters above sea level, in the Lesser Caucasus, which means it is full of dramatic peaks, scenic lakes, and unique geological formations. Other than the monumental Caucasus mountains themselves, the top tourist attractions in Armenia are: Yerevan, the capital and largest city, known for its Soviet-era architecture and palatial buildings Sevan, where a historic monastery is set against the backdrop of a serene lake Dilijan, a mountainous region highly sought-after for its spa resorts and wellness retreats The Shikahogh State Reserve, an unspoiled forested reserve offering scenic views Mount Aragats, a dormant, snow-capped volcano that is Armenia’s highest peak Noravank, a remote redbrick-built monastery founded in the 13th century Tsaghkadzor, an up-and-coming hotspot for winter sports home to some of Europe’s most affordable ski resorts The Upper Azat Valley, a UNESCO-protected site dotted with ancient monasteries Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city and Yerevan’s closest rival in terms of cultural offer: more than a thousand buildings in the historic center are between 300 and 200 years old. A True Hidden Gem Unspoiled By Mass Tourism Armenia has been listed by Forbes as one of the top travel destinations for 2023, not only due to its wide array of cultural attractions but also the hospitality of the locals, the intriguing cuisine, and the low cost of living in major urban centers like Yerevan, only 1.1 times more expensive than the global average. Tourism is also increasing, with 159,475 foreigners having landed in Armenia in January of this year, up 69 percent from the 94,339 who were registered in January 2022, as reported by the Armenian Tourism Committee. Throughout 2022, 1.4 million tourists vacationed in Armenia. Between January and October 2022, Americans were the nationality posting the fourth biggest increase in visitor numbers, though at a modest 4% rate. More Americans are becoming acquainted with Armenia’s many wonders, but definitely not that many. It is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered, where crowds are not a common sight, prices are fairly reasonable, and nature is yet to be tarnished by development. Granted, it is not the easiest country to reach, mostly due to the absence of nonstop flights and affordable fares leaving from the States, but low-cost options are plentiful departing from Europe, Turkiye, or other Middle Eastern hubs. Lastly, Armenia has no COVID entry restrictions in 2023, welcoming tourists irrespective of vaccination status and without any health-related requirements. Americans are allowed to enter the country simply by presenting a valid passport, and they are normally issued a 180-day entry permit upon arrival. https://www.traveloffpath.com/meet-the-beautiful-eastern-country-not-enough-americans-are-visiting/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted March 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2023 Armenpress.am Uganda couple grateful to Armenian doctors for treating baby with rare disease SaveShare 16:40, 27 March 2023YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS. A young couple from Uganda was left devastated when their 18 months old baby girl was diagnosed with SCD, aka sick cell anemia, a typically inherited blood disease that may cause multiple health problems. “Nora was 18 months old when we realized that she’s having trouble standing,” Agnes Achan, the child’s mother, told ARMENPRESS at the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia. “She was having bouts of fever and cough. We took her for a Malaria test and doctors prescribed antibiotics. But it was getting worse. She lost weight beyond recognition." After many visits to various doctors, Nora was diagnosed with SCD. Her parents consulted with various hospitals around the world after choosing to travel to Armenia in October of 2022 for their child’s treatment.This was their first ever visit to the country. “Today we don’t even want to go back, though we didn’t know anything about your country a few months ago,” Agnes Achan said.After a successful course of treatment, Nora, now 5, is full of energy, healthy, and is jumping around playfully all day long.“I am very grateful to this hospital and the City of Smile charitable foundation, which really brought back my baby’s smile. I am grateful to all the doctors and the department of psychological support,” Achan added, noting that the doctors were providing 24/7 assistance.“I advise all my countrymen in Uganda to come here to this Armenian hospital if they require treatment. The doctors here are very caring, they love children and are very attentive.”The child was treated using allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Nora’s 3-year-old brother was the donor. He and their father have already returned to Uganda.The procedure is rather expensive around the world, but it is much cheaper in Armenia. The hospital gets support from City of Smile, the DMKS German organization and the Italian Cure2Children international foundation.Children from Cameroon and Nigeria have also received allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the hospital. Nelly Margaryan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1107311.html?fbclid=IwAR2GXeESSqmgZLp2jonnv3jd-eb7YbztXYtvfMORjUAqcHd2ObUtLyDbCCA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted May 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2023 Kuwait - May 6 2023 TRAVEL Armenia, a timeless land of great beauty By Nourah KhanExclusive to The Times KuwaitArmenia is one of the most beautiful countries in the Caucasus, characterized by its charming natural landscapes, distinctive tourist sites, and a history that spans eons. The moment you step into the country, you are engulfed by the friendliness of locals, which adds to the beauty of a trip to this enchanting country.Armenia is not a very large country, and within a week you could be able to traverse the major tourist attractions in this place. The most appropriate time to visit Armenia and enjoy its beautiful atmosphere and moderate temperatures are from April to June.Whatever type of tourism you prefer, you will find what you need in Armenia. So if you are looking for a new destination for family tourism, or you want to spend your honeymoon in a magical place to create unforgettable memories, or perhaps you prefer nature hikes, exotic sports, heritage tourism, or just partying and other fun activities, you can do all of this and more in one country, Armenia. In Armenia you can find different natural landscapes and a country that is steeped in culture and heritage with a history that extends back more than 3,500 years. Many cultural and historical monuments dot the country, and befittingly enough the country is often referred to as an ‘Open Museum’.But this does not mean that travelers who are seeking relaxation and enjoying nature will not find any such venues in the country; quite the opposite. Armenia is a country with outstanding natural beauty, which gives visitors all the ingredients for relaxation and unwinding.As for prices, it is one of the countries that will not cost you much to travel and stay. The cost of living as a tourist is reasonable and appropriate, and of course cheaper than most places in Europe. So I think it is suitable for people who are on a limited budget.A visit to any city or town in Armenia makes you feel quite comfortable, because you will notice that a large number of Armenians were born in Gulf countries and know a lot about our cultures, customs and character. On knowing that I am from Kuwait, I was warmly welcomed into homes of total strangers and plied with food and drink. And, speaking about food, Armenian food is quite similar to what we have here in Kuwait and the Gulf.The most important thing I particularly noticed about Armenia is the high level of security that prevails across the country. I used to go out for walks alone in the streets at night without encountering any untoward incident.Some of the amazing places I visited in Armenia include:Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is a city of contradictions where modern lifestyle trappings compete for space with the old. While few traces of the city’s storied ancient history are visible today, much of the extant architecture is dominated by stolid Soviet-era buildings interspersed by numerous beautiful gardens, parks and other greenery. The city was once called the Pink City based on the color of the stones that were used in building architectural artifacts and houses.Another place to visit is the town of Dilijan, which teems with health resorts, and is also one of the places with an amazing natural beauty. Every corner and space appears embellished with green trees, colorful gardens and fountains. Located on the banks of the Aghstev River, Dilijan lies to the northeast of the capital Yerevan and enjoys a mild climate throughout the year.The town’s many health resorts and natural beauty, as well as entertainment places with exciting activities, attract a lot of tourists year round. And, while in Dilijan do not miss visiting the town’s other major attractions, including the Old Town, Dilijan Museum, the famous healing mineral water fountains and the World War II Memorial.And, no matter what, do not miss tasting Armenian cuisine, as it is considered the source kitchen for much of today’s Middle-Eastern cuisines, with their slant towards poultry, meat and fish. Famous local dishes vary in taste between European and Eastern preferences, and there are also dishes that appeal to our Gulf tastes and flavors, especially ones such as the Armenian grilled fish.Among the other beautiful cities that must be on your tourist schedule is the city of Jermuk. The city of Jermuk in Armenia is one of the most famous places for medical tourism, as it is characterized by its mineral waters and mild climate throughout the year. The city contains more than 40 thermal springs that people go to for treatment for various diseases and you also get to see the second largest waterfall in Armenia, with the Jermuk Waterfall cascading down from a height of over 70 meters.Another interesting place that should be visited in Armenia is Lake Sevan, also known as the ‘Jewel of the Caucasus’. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level. As a result of its height, the weather in Lake Sevan is moderate to cold even in the summer days, which makes it an important attraction for tourists, especially tourists coming from hot countries such as the Arab Gulf states. You can also enjoy camping or doing some water sports when you visit Lake Sevan in the summer, at very reasonable prices.There is something else you should not miss when visiting Armenia, Mount Ararat mentioned in the Bible and associated with Noah’s Ark. Although it is located on Turkish soil, Mount Ararat is one of the most majestic mountains in the world, which can be seen from the Armenian lands. Although it lies outside the borders of modern Armenia, the mountain is a national symbol of Armenia and has been considered a sacred place by Armenians for ages.In Armenia, you will not have any difficulty in interacting with others, because English is the most common language after the Russian language, especially in the capital, Yerevan. But moving to the countryside, Russian is the most popular foreign language, and rarely you can come across Armenians who speak French, especially in shops, restaurants and hotels.For my transportation throughout Armenia, I relied on a tour company and a tour guide. Modes of transportation in Armenia are of high quality, given the number of tourists who come to the country most of the year, with domestic transportation divided between the metro, buses, mini-buses and taxis.I also recommend that you travel with a knowledgeable tour guide so that they can explain the stories, histories and traditions behind statues, buildings, and other attractions in the country.I believe that the opening of direct flights between the two countries could be mutually beneficial. More visitors from Kuwait could travel easily to Armenia, and more Armenian fresh products could arrive in this country, not to mention the significant Armenian community in Kuwait who would also benefit from such direct flights.Noura Khan, a travel influencer and content creator, is a Kuwaiti national, holds a degree in law from Kuwait University and has worked as a journalist prior to taking up a position in the government. In 2018 she started blogging on travel and visited more than 57 countries since. She has more than 54k followers on her blog post @nourajtraveller is well appreciated for content and travel information. Noura writes exclusively for The Times Kuwait on her travel visits.https://timeskuwait.com/news/armenia-a-timeless-land-of-great-beauty/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2023 Aug 27 2023 The allure and mystique of ArmeniaBY JESS LOSARIAAs a nation, Armenia has endured more than its fair share of atrocities throughout its recorded history. From Ottoman and Russian occupation, massacres and genocide to modern-day territorial disputes with its neighbors, Armenia has managed to thrive and stay strong and unwavering in face of incredible adversity. Its people are among the friendliest I have ever met, never hesitant to offer a smile or assist you in any way.As a part of the Caucasus region in West Asia, Armenia is surrounded by Georgia (locally known as Sakartvelo) in the north, Turkey in the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran south.The genocide has largely brought about the formation of the great Armenian diaspora. There have been many prominent figures with Armenian blood proudly coursing through their veins, excelling in the fields of science (like Hovannes Adamian, a pioneer of color television), medicine (Noubar Afeyan, founder-CEO of Flagship Pioneering and co-founder of Moderna), sports (tennis star Andre Agassi), and entertainment (ever heard of Cher and the Kardashians? Yes! Those Kardashians) that have left indelible marks on our lives. Some have even dominated the news or social media feeds for decades. Getting thereE-visas must be obtained beforehand from evisa.mfa.am, which will set you back about four US dollars. The whole process is very straightforward and simple. Approval rates for Filipinos are very high (most of the rejections occur due to errors on the online application). There are two options to reach your destination: Book a flight from Manila (or wherever you’re coming from) to Yerevan. Take a van or private car from Tbilisi (the capital city of Georgia) to Armenia. Being the budget-conscious traveler that I am, this was the easier option for me as I was already touring in Georgia at the time. It was a five- to six-hour trip that involved long winding roads and breathtaking views of mountains and forests. Experiencing ArmeniaItem number one on my itinerary was a city tour of the capital. The first thing that I noticed when I touched down in Yerevan was how well-kept the city is. Most of the city can be accessed simply by foot or renting electric scooters. From the Opera and Ballet Theatre, to Freedom Square, and to Republic Square, Yerevan is never short of attractions and Instagram-worthy spots. A refreshing taste of Armenian cultureNothing screams Armenia like the pulpulaks, which are small stone memorials with running water. I encountered several after a particularly long walk from the Opera House to the various restaurants and bars that adorn the streets of Yerevan. These drinking fountains are ubiquitous and found all around the city and other parts of the country (having tasted the water myself, they are great thirst quenchers).Armenians love their potatoes, so it did not surprise me that their menus listed mainly dishes paired with potatoes on the side (like how rice is a staple for us Filipinos). Spicy, grilled, roasted—they have it all. Take them with kofta or—my favorite—grilled trout (the locals called it ishkan) and your taste buds will thank you. Stairway to the heavensYour stay in Yerevan City would not be complete without a visit to the Cascade Complex, a giant stairway of architectural beauty made from the finest limestone. Ascending the 750 steps to reach the top will require possession of a mighty pair of lungs or near-infinite stamina. Or you can just take the escalators, but where’s the fun in that?All that huffing and puffing to reach the top of Cascade and what do you get for your efforts (not counting all those calories you burned)? Well, a gorgeous, jaw-dropping view of Mount Ararat, of course! The majestic snow-capped mountain beyond the city is a feast for the eyes and the senses that makes the challenging climb well worth it. A mother and her swordOur last stop in Yerevan before calling it a day was Victory Park. There was an imposing statue that was very hard to miss. Including its pedestal, the Mother Armenia monument has a height of about 51 meters. It is believed to symbolize peace with strength and evokes images of Armenian heroines and strong-willed women. Without a doubt, it is the centerpiece of Victory Park and was quite a sight to behold!Because I was probably feeling the tiring effects of the long trip from Tbilisi to Yerevan and the following day was a scheduling nightmare, I skipped the tour to the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial. It was a decision that, in hindsight, was very regrettable. Who knows if I’d have the opportunity to visit this lovely country again? Shades of blueThe second day of my Armenian escapade was, to put it lightly, packed to the brim. Taking a routed taxicab (locally called marshrutka) or private car from Yerevan to Lake Sevan is a 40- to 50-minute journey to Gegharkunik Province. Once there, we took a ferry boat trip across the lake and what an exhilarating experience it was. No exaggeration: as massive as this lake is, it is unreal how pristine the waters are. In fact, the entire lake is reportedly drinkable (I might test the waters—pun intended—if I do return).The short boat ride made me realize how l love the way bodies of water reflect the color of the skies. Where the lake and the sky seem to meet, it’s like looking at a canvas splashed with all the blues from the visible light spectrum. To be treated with crisp air above the surface and feeling the teal-hued waves gently rocking you below, I savored every minute of my Sevan journey. In ruins, but still standingStill standing, the Amberd Fortress has been around since the 10th century. Known as the “fortress in the clouds,” it has withstood raids, invasions and attacks from a multitude of enemies and still stands proud to this day.On the slopes of Mount Aragats proudly stands the Amberd Fortress, which was built in the 10th century. Translated from Armenian, it literally means “fortress in the clouds.” It has faced multiple invasions and attacks from enemies around the globe; however, it has outlasted them all. In many ways, it perfectly epitomizes Armenia’s tenacity. And oh, you can find a bath house south of the fortress if that catches your fancy. Oh my Gosh, indeedAfter grabbing a quick lunch, we found ourselves back on the road for our next destination. Built around the 12th or 13th century, Goshavank is a monastery complex located in the Gosh Village in the Province of Tavush. What impressed me about it is how it is in relatively good repair compared to most monasteries I have seen. The complex is composed of the St. Astvatsatsin, Grigor Lusavorich, and St. Gregory churches as well as a couple of chapels. Goshavank also houses a khachkar, which is a slab of stone meticulously carved with a cross and various intricate designs. The village is named in honor of Mkhitar Gosh, an Armenian scholar who has his own monument within Goshavank’s premises.Goshavank is a monastery complex composed of the St. Astvatsatsin, Grigor Lusavorich, and St. Gregory churches as well as a couple of chapels. Built around the 12th or 13th century, it is sill in relatively good repair and houses a khachkar.Lake Parz in Dilijan was the final destination before we headed back to Yerevan. Though not as large or as mesmerizing as Lake Sevan, it made up for it with rows of colorful paddle boats that you could rent and a zip-line that sends you speeding above the lakeThe slew of activities, sights and sounds got me out of my accommodation from dawn to dusk, a fact that made me collapse on my bed like a pile of rocks the moment I entered my room. Follow the lightThe third and final day of the tour was less packed but no less eventful.The first stop was in Kotayk Province where I laid eyes on one of its crown jewels: the Geghard Monastery. There was something about this medieval monastery that pulls you in. From the ray of light peeping through the opening at the zenith of the spherical cupola, to random tourists belting out soulful “Ave Maria”s inside the hallowed grounds of Upper Jhamatun, to the carved walls and surrounding cliffs, Geghard Monastery is just one of the three UNESCO Heritage Sites found in Armenia. One interesting tidbit is that it once served as the home of the Spear of Destiny, the lance that was believed to have pierced the side of Jesus Christ. Nature’s orchestraNature’s handiwork: The Symphony of Stones got its name from the innumerable basalt column formations on its cliff walls. They bear an uncanny resemblance to organ pipes.The so-called Symphony of Stones is Mother Nature’s handiwork on full display. A natural monument that is the pride of Kotayk Province, it has an uncanny resemblance to a gigantic organ owing to the fact that it has innumerable basalt column formations on the cliff walls. Whatever you do, you must see it with your own eyes. Take a hundred photos and selfies. Just be careful and wary of falling rocks. A sun God’s domainA Sun God’s Domain: The Temple of Garni is a pagan temple that was dedicated to the worship of the sun god Mihr. The colonnaded Greco-Roman structure is my favorite spot of all the sites I’ve visited. With the Gegham mountains as the backdrop, it is incredibly picturesque.Built just before Armenia’s conversion to Christianity and located not far from the Symphony of Stones, the Temple of Garni is a pagan temple that was dedicated to the worship of the sun god Mihr. It stands right at the edge of a triangular cliff where you can catch a gorgeous panoramic view of the Gegham mountains as the backdrop. It was also debated that this colonnaded Greco-Roman structure was actually a tomb, a point of discussion that could have saved it from sharing the same fate of other pagan temples that were obliterated. It was reconstructed after a massive earthquake dealt serious damage to its structural integrity.This was my absolute favorite spot in Armenia. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. My phone’s photo gallery was flooded with dozens of pictures taken from every angle I could think of. If I do return to Armenia—and the probability is high—I would revisit this place at the very first opportunity.When it was time for me to return to the desert heat and the harsh Arabian sun of the Middle East, I could not help but feel a part of me had stayed in Armenia. Here beats the heart of a proud nation that far exceeds the sum of its land area, and for this reason, I offer my eternal admiration.The allure of Armenia is formidable, and I am hopelessly captivated.* * *Special thanks to the people at NotChicken Travel and MK Hotel and Tours for making my stay in Armenia such a pleasurable and unforgettable experience. https://philstarlife.com/living/731435-allure-mystique-armenia?page=6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2023 Gillett NewsNov 12 2023 Exploring the Charm of Armenia: A Hidden Gem in South Caucasus ByCasey MartinezArmenia, a captivating landlocked country nestled in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, has caught the attention of adventurous souls in search of a new place to call home. Bursting with a rich tapestry of history, mesmerizing landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene, Armenia provides a living experience like no other. Let’s delve into the key aspects that make Armenia a captivating destination worth considering.The Affordability Advantage: One of Armenia’s standout features is its relatively low cost of living compared to many other countries. From housing and transportation to daily expenses, everything tends to be pocket-friendly, making it an appealing option for those looking to stretch their budget without compromising on quality. A Life of Quality: Armenia takes pride in offering its residents a high quality of life, defined by a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage. This peaceful and secure environment makes it an ideal setting to raise a family. Moreover, the well-developed healthcare system ensures easy access to quality medical services.Embracing Economic Opportunities: Although Armenia has encountered economic challenges in the past, it has been making remarkable progress in recent years. The country is witnessing a booming tech industry, with an upsurge of startups and IT companies. Furthermore, Armenia’s strategic location between Europe and Asia opens doors for trade and business opportunities.Education, a Priority: Education lies at the heart of Armenian society, boasting a high literacy rate and a well-established educational system. The country is home to several esteemed universities and research institutions, creating a conducive environment for academic growth and exploration. From Ancient Monasteries to Majestic Landscapes: Armenia’s awe-inspiring landscapes, including the famed Mount Ararat and the picturesque Lake Sevan, magnetize tourists from all corners of the globe. The country offers a myriad of outdoor activities, ranging from invigorating hikes to thrilling ski adventures, not to mention the opportunity to explore ancient monasteries and immerse oneself in history. FAQs Q: What is the official language of Armenia?A: Armenian, which belongs to the Indo-European language family, serves as the official language of Armenia. Q: Is finding employment in Armenia easy?A: While the job market in Armenia can be competitive, opportunities do exist, particularly in the flourishing tech sector and the burgeoning tourism industry. Q: Is Armenia a safe country to live in?A: Armenia is widely regarded as a safe country with a low crime rate. Nonetheless, exercising caution and adhering to common safety practices is always advisable.In a nutshell, Armenia embodies a compelling amalgamation of affordability, quality of life, economic potential, and natural splendor. While it may not suit everyone’s taste, it undeniably holds tremendous allure for those seeking a fresh and enriching living experience.https://gillettnews.com/news/exploring-the-charm-of-armenia-a-hidden-gem-in-south-caucasus/224632/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 BenzingaNov 16 2023 Armenia Unveiled: A Hidden Gem Transforming Into The Next Global Technology HubbyBrett HershmanArmenia, a tiny landlocked nation in the South Caucasus, is defying expectations by emerging as the world's newest technology center.In the face of security threats and scarce natural resources, Armenia is cultivating a tech ecosystem to shape a new paradigm for a culture that has endured numerous hardships.The lack of support from its allies makes Armenia's foray into the tech industry even more critical. Russia has been historically responsible for Armenia's safety and security. With Moscow failing to intervene in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia is seeking ways to diversify its economy by strengthening its ties to the West and leverage its substantial diaspora—which outnumbers the population at home by more than two-to-one. Armenian entrepreneurs are committed to tackling global tech challenges for a more prosperous and stable future. Armenia's strong reputation in science and math, once recognized as the Silicon Valley of the Soviet Union, positions it to reclaim a regional or potentially international tech hub status. Narek Vardayan, CEO of Prelaunch.com and The Crowdfunding Formula, articulates the country's ambition. "The goal is to solve difficult problems for the world, challenges that others couldn't solve. We want to set the bar very high."Amid adversity, Armenia boasts one of the world's fastest-growing economies, recording a remarkable 12.6% GDP growth in 2022, the highest in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The emphasis on developing its tech ecosystem is yielding tangible results, with the IT sector experiencing an average annual growth of 23% per InvestIn. Accelerating its growth in the tech sector is the influx of residents fleeing Russia and Ukraine during the onset of the Russian-Ukraine war. In 2022, 2,565 new tech companies were registered in Armenia, and 50,000 new tech professionals from Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states entered the country, according to EVN Report. Armenia's Diaspora: A Key DifferentiatorWhat's striking about the country of just 2.8 million people is how many startups are determined to solve some of AI's most pressing technological challenges. Many entrepreneurs in Armenia believe their connection to the West will help ensure these companies are noticed.Alexandr Yesayan, Co-Founder and Chairman of Team Telecom emphasizes the role of the diaspora in fostering success: "It's one thing to have the capacity to do difficult tasks, but it's another thing in how you can bring it to the market. The diaspora connection here plays a huge role. That gives us ground to believe that we can be successful."ServiceTitan, a $10 billion company founded by first-generation Armenian-Americans and headquartered in Glendale, California—the epicenter of the largest Armenian population in the United States—stands out as a prominent illustration of leveraging this diaspora connection.In 2019, ServiceTitan expanded its operations, establishing a second headquarters in the capital city of Yerevan. Initially comprising just five individuals, ServiceTitan's Yerevan office has swelled to over 410 employees.Ashot Tonoyan, Managing Director of ServiceTitan Armenia, said that opening a second office in Armenia started as an experiment but eventually became a significant contributor. Now, it's powering roughly half of the company's R&D. The decision to establish a significant presence in Armenia stemmed from the founders' awareness of the abundance of talent within the country. Tonoyan stresses that the move wasn't driven by cost considerations but rather by the scarcity of engineering expertise in the US."ServiceTitan couldn't find enough talent in the US. Since the founders are Armenian, they knew there was talent here. So they said, 'Let's try it out. If it doesn't match the quality, we'll pass'," he said."As it turns out, the level of quality is no different than in the US. That's what drove the appetite. And, of course, you have the cost-benefit as a bonus." Tonoyan recognizes the challenge of a small population unable to support large-scale global productions, prompting Armenia to shift its outlook from an outsourcing hub to one that can create value through innovation. Tonoyan underscores the significance of human capital and brainpower, asserting that they are arguably the nation's most valuable assets."We have to rely on the things that create the most value but don't require too many large numbers, which is innovation and R&D," Tonoyan said. "Since we can't depend on national resources, we must create differently. We have a small population, so we can't support huge worldwide productions. However, human capital is probably the most sustainable capital you can have," Tonoyan added. Picsart: Armenia's First UnicornIn addition to fostering its connection with prominent startups founded by Armenians in the US, Armenia is also developing its homegrown talent. Picsart, a photo-editing app, is the most notable startup founded in Armenia. It is the first domestic company to reach unicorn status after raising $130 million in its Series C round, led by Softbank's Vision Fund 2. Krisp, another notable Armenian-founded company, is an AI-based audio processing software that offers real-time noise and voice suppression technology.The company has since moved its headquarters to California and was named to TIME Magazine's 100 Best Inventions of 2020 in the Artificial Intelligence category and listed as one of America's Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies by Forbes. While Picsart and Krisp showcase the country's capability to produce globally recognized technologies, the Digitec Expo, organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE), highlights Armenia's ambition to become a top destination for cutting-edge technology development.Digitec held its 18th annual conference in October in Yerevan, featuring over 100 exhibitors. With over 75,000 attendees, it is one of the largest tech conferences in the entire region. "We have a mission to make Armenia the best place for tech entrepreneurs," said UATE's Interim CEO, Sargis Karapetyan. "When we invite people to Armenia, they are shocked with the level of complexity and sophisticated technology that is coming out of a small, unknown place in the mountains," Karapetyan explains. In terms of predecessors, Karapetyan notes two small countries with robust startup ecosystems as models to emulate. "We love to compare ourselves with Israel and Estonia, but geographically, with the allies we have, and geopolitically, we are totally in different camps. Whatever help the Armenian ecosystem gets comes from Armenians," Karapetyan added. "Finish 2023 Strong With 3 Hot Stock Ideas - Practically Free"Ready for your shot at the next potential 32%, 39% or 45% gains in today's uncertain market? Go here now because you're about to miss Stock Expert Gianni Di Poce's 3 latest stock ideas... Ones that could shift your entire wealth-building journey with just the click of a button. If you're ready to end 2023 strong with 12 hot stock ideas every single month. ACT FAST. VCs Taking NoticeWhile the link between the Armenian diaspora is a catalyst for developing the ecosystem, outside investors are taking notice. Acrobator Ventures, an Amsterdam-based stage seed VC firm that invests in early-stage companies in Central Europe and CIS regions, has shown specific interest in Armenian companies. "The diaspora is incredibly strong, and I think that's a unique element for such a small country," said Mike Reiner, General Partner at Acrobator Ventures. With more Armenians living outside the country and roughly 1.2 million Armenians living in the United States, this connection enables them to punch above its weight, says Joachim Laqueur, Acrobator Ventures Co-Founder and General Partner. "It won't be the next Silicon Valley, but for the size of the country, especially on the cybersecurity and biotech side, they're doing incredibly well," Lacqueuer said.Acrobator Ventures recently closed its third investment in one of its funds, "that's quite a high ratio," said Reiner. Despite geopolitical risks, the firm remains undeterred, viewing the limited interest in Armenia as an opportunity."This is one of these cases where we feel there's future potential. The risk profile makes it more attractive because few want to take that risk," added Reiner. "We're very bullish on the ecosystem from a fund perspective and are coming there regularly to look closely at what we want to invest in next." Tech Giants Enter The RegionAnd it's more than just the startup ecosystem flourishing in the country. Last month, Adobe Inc "Adobe is proud to have a research presence here. Yesterday was a very important day for us, as we opened our new building, which I think proves that we are loyal to the people of Armenia and are ready to continue expanding our presence here," Narayen said, according to Itel.am. While things are moving in the right direction for the country, its tech revolution is still in its early innings. Armenia is set to host the World Congress of Information Technology (WCIT) conference in 2024, after hosting it in 2019, seen as a coming-out party for the country's tech ecosystem on the global stage.The government currently has a reduced flat tax rate of 10% for the IT industry. However, when companies become too large for the domestic market, many register in the United States and are no longer considered Armenian-based. Yesayan says the next step is creating a governance environment where companies will establish headquarters in Armenia. "Because the Armenian market is small, it's relatively easier to make changes in the structure of the country itself," Yesayan said. Samson Avetian, CEO of Eqwefy, a fintech app that enables investment into Armenian startups, acknowledges the progress made in the last decade but emphasizes the need for continued efforts to put its tech ecosystem on a firmer footing. "The technological progress in Armenia over the past five to ten years has been significant. Citizens and policymakers are actively working to establish a robust, sustainable, and resilient ecosystem. Armenia is pursuing a more urgent and focused direction than other countries in the region."Disclosure: I have no business relationship with any of the companies mentioned in this article. I also do not own any shares in the companies mentioned. https://www.benzinga.com/tech/23/11/35831576/armenia-unveiled-a-hidden-gem-transforming-into-the-next-global-technology-hub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted November 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 Nation.Cymru Wales, UK - Nov 23 2023 CULTURE Letter from Armenia (A) Deian Timms Yma o Hyd may have been written about the Welsh, but if there’s a nation that embodies this spirit, it’s Armenia. Arriving a week before the game, I flew to Tbilisi and took the sleeper train down to Yerevan, hoping Wales could put right June’s 2-4 trouncing. The workhorse Soviet-era engine clunked and passports were checked on five separate occasions through the night – once on a freezing platform somewhere in rural Georgia, having been ushered off spotlit carriages by border guards and circled by stray dogs. Sleeper train proved to be something of a misnomer. Smugness Stepping off at Yerevan, I trudged toward the centre and arrived to a beautiful dawn over Republic Square. After finally finding an open café, I basked in the smugness of how cool the journey would sound to my Wales Away friends. After a drizzly day taking in the main sights of the capital, I was off again. As the first Christian state, ancient monasteries dot the landscape of Armenia. From Gegham with its chambers carved into the mountainside, to Haghartsin hidden amongst the rolling hills of Dilijan that reminded me of home. But being a fanboy of brutalist architecture, my personal pilgrimages took me to the Iron Fountain of Gyumri(which sounds pleasingly like the treigliad of Cymru) and to Sevan to the Armenian Writer’s Union retreat, jutting out over the lake like an avant-garde modernist Tŷ Newydd. I met with my Armenian friend Yana that I knew through a previous job in Brussels, who very kindly showed me some of the more inaccessible sights as well as the best spots back in Yerevan. A researcher and former parliamentary legal advisor, Yana comes from Nagorno-Karabakh (the Russian term often used in English), known in Armenian as Artsakh. Artsakh is a disputed region, historically populated by Armenians but given to Azerbaijan by Stalin as part of a divide and rule strategy. As the USSR creaked and then crumbled, long-standing tension flared into violence. Its most recent chapter saw a nine-month blockade and large-scale military offensive carried out by Azerbaijan. This forced a hundred-thousand Armenians to abandon their homes practically overnight in September this year, which has been considered ethnic cleansing by a European Parliament resolution. When Yana went to study in the United States last year, the blockade had not yet started. When she left for California, she had no idea she would not be coming back to her home. Now living in Yerevan with other members of her family forced to leave, she says many Artsakh people are struggling in the capital as they face a confusing legal status in addition to the profound and recent trauma of losing their homes and communities. Employers are hesitant to hire people from Artsakh because of this uncertainty and although those from Artsakh have Armenian passports, they are technically not Armenian citizens and may have to be registered as refugees. The majority have gone to Yerevan to find work. Accommodation is scarce and some landlords, sensing opportunity, have raised prices. The perception is that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has done very little indeed (to be polite) to help in the wake of this crisis. Traditions There is an additional worry that being dispersed throughout the capital – a city of over 1 million – the distinct culture and dialect will struggle without Artsakhi spaces. The wounds are still exceedingly raw, but one hopes that in time groups and organisations will form to preserve these traditions and language for future generations. And hope remains amongst those that have fled that they will one day return. Thanks to Yana I got a seat in the home end for the match. With the sun setting and people shuffling to their seats, I started spotting other Welsh fans in the stands, undeterred by the previous night’s rough treatment of members of the Wal Goch at the hands of the Yerevan police. Despite our very crafty donning of Armenia scarves and flags, hastily bought from the market on the walk to the stadium, we weren’t fooling anyone. Knowing nods and winks were exchanged at key moments but staying seated and silent and hands firmly in our pockets, especially during the anthem, was not easy. Sat to my left was a lanky teenage Armenian boy of about 14 who appeared to be having the best day of his life, his enthusiasm so genuinely infectious that I almost forgot I wasn’t supporting Armenia when Lucas Zelarayan scored a 5th minute goal. His voice broke as he booed, and I struggled to hold back my laughter on several occasions as he shouted in English “FC crybaby!” every time a Wales player was fouled and a rather cutting “David Brooks: random guy!” at the away end. A scrappy 1-1 draw led to a fantastic night out with mates, ending up at a dive bar run by Russian hipsters. Many young, liberal Russians have come to Yerevan since the invasion of Ukraine, setting up cafés and restaurants and making respectable efforts at learning and using the Armenian language. In contrast to Tbilisi and Wales Away’s previous host-city Riga, there is no anti-Russian graffiti around the city centre. Critical I asked Yana about this, who said whilst Armenians might be extremely critical of the Russian government or policy – there is a deep sense of betrayal at Russia’s failure to safeguard the 2020 ceasefire agreement, effectively allowing Azerbaijan to freely take Artsakh – there is no resentment or xenophobia towards ordinary Russians. Most welcome the new arrivals, boosting diversity in an otherwise rather homogenous Yerevan. A refreshing take. As many fans left the day after the match, there was one final visit, Khor Virap. Khor Virap is a hilltop monastery frequented by pilgrims, wedding parties and soldiers alike, located on the plain that surrounds Mount Ararat: the holy mountain and national symbol of Armenia, and considered the landing place of Noah’s Ark. Its scale is difficult to describe and at over 5000m high (Yr Wyddfa stands at 1058m), its presence looms wherever you go. But just beyond the monastery lies the closed border with Türkiye, guarded by Russian towers. Following the Armenian Genocide, Mount Ararat today lies within Turkish territory, and the atrocities are to this day officially denied by the Turkish state. The call to prayer was audible from villages just a couple of kilometres past the border fence. Also within sight is the northernmost tip of Iran, just 7km away. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the weight of history quite so heavy in the air. Further up the rocks from the monastery, an Armenian flag flaps defiantly. Naturally we walk up for a photo at the top. We get in position to pose and I notice something on the pole. A Wrexham AFC sticker. Of course. https://nation.cymru/culture/letter-from-armenia-a/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 18, 2023 Report Share Posted December 18, 2023 Հայաստանը ես եմ. Հակոբ Միկոյան 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 18, 2023 Report Share Posted December 18, 2023 https://www.facebook.com/hakob.mikoyan111hakob.mikoyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 18, 2023 Report Share Posted December 18, 2023 i don't know haw to say thank you to him .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 18, 2023 Report Share Posted December 18, 2023 Առավոտը Շանթում-«Աղբ թափելն ամոթ է» նախաձեռնության հիմնադիր - Հակոբ Միկոյան Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted December 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2023 i don't know haw to say thank you to him .. You just did by posting his great effort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted April 1, 2024 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2024 March 31 2024 The beautiful European country where you might be the only tourist It's safe, affordable, jam-packed with rich history and "mesmerising" landscapes that travel bloggers say should be on everyone's bucket list. By MIEKA SMILES, News Reporter Europe has so many beautiful countries to visit that are right on our doorstep - from France and Spain to Italy and Greece. But sometimes it can be easy to overlook places that are equally as stunning but a little more under the tourism radar. The stunning country of Armenia is one such location, with less visitors than many of its counterparts on the continent - but all that could be about to change as tourist numbers begin to soar. Armenia - officially the Republic of Armenia - is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia, bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to the east and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. The Tourism Committee revealed that interest in the country - that is generally considered geopolitically European - is rocketing in a report summarising visitor numbers for last year. It said: “This year Armenia received more than two million (2 million 50 thousand) tourists for the first time and there are still two months to go. The number of visitors has exceeded all expectations.” In the first nine months of 2023 the number of tourists increased by almost 50 percent. Its capital city Yerevan is also quickly gaining traction as a must visit place. The city is the country’s capital and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities with a current population of over just over a million people. In recent years Yerevan has undergone major transformation - with new retail outlets, restaurants, shops and street cafés - which were rare during its Soviet rule from which it became free of in 1991. Travel blogger Kami - who runs website Kami & The Rest of the World - revealed that she is drawn back to the country time and time again. She said: “Are you planning a trip to Armenia? Good choice! This is one of the most fascinating countries with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, hospitable people and some amazing monuments.” Kami added: “I was lucky to visit Armenia around 10 times by now (I already lost the count) and I’m sure I will be returning there in future too. This country has something magnetic that draws you back over and over again. I’m sure you will discover it too when you travel to Armenia.” Thijs Broekkamp from travel review website www.nomadasaurus.com agreed. They said: “From enjoying the world’s longest cable car ride through the mesmerising landscapes of Vorotan canyon to admiring some of the oldest monasteries on record, these are just some of the reasons you should travel to Armenia. “When you travel in Armenia you will often wonder, how come more people aren’t placing Armenia higher on their bucket list? “Not a lot of nations can boast to have preserved their rich cultural heritage dating far back as the ancient times.” They added: “This small country will draw you in with it’s [sic] capturing landscapes, ancient monuments and unparalleled hospitality. If you’re up for discovering one of Europe’s best kept secrets travel to Armenia!” https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1881957/armenia-european-country-no-tourists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted April 22, 2024 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2024 Toronto Star, CanadaApril 21 2024In Armenia, ancient history and modern cool coexist in one fascinating destinationVisit primordial caves, contemporary art galleries and chic restaurants serving Armenian wines — all in the same day. By Kate Dingwall Special to the StarMy grandparents ran a church in rural Ontario, so when I was growing up, my bedtime stories were pulled from the old books: tales of serpents and apples, Cain and Abel, the Tower of Babel and a flood that covered the world.On a recent trip to Armenia, as my plane descends into the capital of Yerevan, and Mount Ararat rises outside the window, the tales come rushing back to me.As the Book of Genesis goes, God was so irked with mankind that he sent a flood down to wipe out the world. Noah, his family, and two of every animal on Earth rode out the storm on an enormous wooden ark — which finally parked on the peak of what many believe to be this very mountain.While Mount Ararat is on Turkish soil, Armenia sits in its shadow. The mountain is seen as the highly sacred national symbol of Armenia, a country on the border of Europe and Asia.Before my visit, my ideas of Armenia were painted by legends and old testaments. But I soon learn that this place, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, feels both ancient and animated with a vibrant creative energy.On the same day, you can see primordial caves and then stroll contemporary art galleries showcasing a who’s who of modern design, or discover, along 2,000-year-old streets, chic restaurants where young sommeliers specialize in Armenian wines. In Yerevan, endless layers of history and the remains of ancient empires exist in a delicate harmony with a forward-thinking attitude.I start my trip with a visit to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, whose building is known locally as “the Cascade,” named after the five stories of staircases, terraced gardens and braided waterfalls that join the upper and lower parts of the city. The monument’s construction started in the 1980s under Soviet rule but was abandoned after the fall of the Union. Efforts to revitalize the landmark kicked off in 2002.Now, the centre is one of the city’s foremost cultural attractions, with influences from the global art world. Inside, I take in exhibitions dedicated to Swarovski crystals and pioneering architects like Gaetano Pesce, whose pioneering voluptuous chairs sit pretty through the space. Outside, gardens are dotted with sculptures, including Fernando Botero’s plump figures and Jaume Plensa’s solitary men. On the Cascade’s 572 outdoor steps, visitors and locals alike linger and lounge, sipping coffee and taking in the skyline. Mount Ararat keeps a careful eye over it all.We stroll over to Vernissage, an open-air market. It’s the textile hub of the city, where weavers lay out hand-spun and -knotted rugs of silk and wool in entrancing tableaux of colour and design.As my friend barters for a runner, I browse the tables of curios: flat lays of tourist-trap souvenirs side by side with ancient silver knives, hand-blown crystal antiques, and original pieces by young jewellers and artisans.We wrap our day dining at Machanents — part restaurant, part artist commune, in the nearby city of Ejmiatsin. The site offers classes on local crafts: pottery, rug making, painting, even costume making. As we fuel up on lamb stew, a group of locals laugh at their attempts to throw vases.The next day, as we drive out of Yerevan, the thread of old-meets-new weaves through the landscape. Our itinerary whiplashes us through centuries. We start the day curving upwards, past the rolling vineyards that dot the slopes of Mount Ararat along the Armenian border and into the dramatic Vayots Dzor region.We navigate immense, jagged red-rock cliffs and gullies, until a last switchback leads us to Noravank, the 13th-century “new monastery,” chiselled into a limestone cliff on the side of a small canyon. From afar, it’s almost unnoticeable among the craggy rock face. Close up, carvings of apostles, saints and other religious figures appear on every surface. When Mongols invaded these lands and began raiding religious temples, lore has it they were so entranced with the reliefs that they left Noravank alone.As we continue through the canyon flow, we’re thrust even further back in time. A sharp curve reveals Areni-1, a massive Transcaucasian cave where researchers have uncovered the oldest known leather shoe, as well as the world’s oldest known winery, made up of ancient earthenware jugs dug into the cave floor. Back then, wine wasn’t an alcoholic drink but a key part of sacrificial rituals.Those rituals were left in ancient times, but wine is still a huge part of Armenian culture. When Noah disembarked from the ark, the story goes, he planted grape vines on the mountain. Today, the Vayots Dzor region is covered in vines, and roadside stands sell homemade reds and whites in plastic jugs.We drive up to the tippy top of the region, to try some of Armenia’s liquid culture at Noa Winery — named after Noah himself, who was said to be the world’s first wine drinker.We gather around the table and sip whites that drink like cool mountain breezes, and reds that taste like they hold centuries of stories. We pass fresh lavash back and forth, and wrap the flatbread around pork chops, which were cooked in underground ovens low and slow until they’re rich and golden.Our hosts welcome us like old friends, but there’s a solemn tone to the day. My visit falls in autumn, just a few weeks after an escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. While we’re safe, Noa’s winemaker, Pavel Vartanyan, can’t stop waking up in the middle of the night — a habit he picked up checking his phone to see if his vineyards had been invaded.Armenians are used to struggle. The country was formed and forged by fierce religion, political upheaval, war and immeasurable loss. Still, I’m left with the feeling that Armenians are focused on filling the future with energy and laughter.When we arrive back in Yerevan, the night is warm and welcoming, so we stroll over to Saryan Street. In 2012, this was still a sleepy strip lined with second-hand electronics stores. Then Mariam Saghatelyan, just 19 years old at the time, co-founded In Vino, the very first wine bar in the city. It sparked a renaissance, and now, Saryan Street is the beating heart of Yerevan.On any given night, the creative class is camping out on Parisian-style bistro tables and sharing bottles of both local wines and the best of Burgundy and California. Up and down the street, people spill out of craft cocktail bars, restaurants that marry contemporary trends with Armenian cuisine, and chic galleries that seem to stay open long after dark. As we take in the night, Mount Ararat reaches for the heavens above us, glowing in the city’s lights.Kate Dingwall travelled as a guest of the Armenia Project (TAP), an educational non-profit, which did not review or approve this article.https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/in-armenia-ancient-history-and-modern-cool-coexist-in-one-fascinating-destination/article_dfd6e304-fbf2-11ee-b79f-5314efdd68bf.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted May 7, 2024 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2024 Khaleej Times, UAEMay 6 2024 Armenia among top destinations for UAE travellers Country is showcasing its attractions at ATM Armenia has emerged as a favored travel destination among UAE residents, quickly earning a place on many bucket lists. Furthermore, UAE residents can explore Armenia visa-free, while others can opt for a convenient visa on arrival.The Tourism Committee of Armenia is attending the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024. With a thriving tourism industry and a growing number of visitors from the UAE, this event presents an exciting opportunity for Armenia to forge strong partnerships and showcase the nation’s diverse offerings. Several UAE airlines offer daily direct flights to Armenia, with a flight time of just 3 hours – including Flydubai from Dubai, Air Arabia from Sharjah, and Wizz Air from Abu Dhabi.Accompanied by various travel and tourism agencies, as well as renowned hotels such as Marriott and Holiday Inn, the Armenia stand will unveil a range of enticing tourism offers and experiences.Armenia is home to impressive nature, enchanting culture, thrilling adventures, and delectable gastronomy. Whether travelers are seeking a relaxing holiday or a more exciting experience, there’s something for everyone in this charming country.“We are excited to participate in the Arabian Travel Market 2024 and showcase Armenia’s diverse tourism offerings to travelers,” said Sisian Boghossian, Head of the Tourism Committee of Armenia. “Armenia offers a unique blend of ancient history, breathtaking natural beauty, and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking authentic and enriching experiences. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals, travel agents, and potential partners at ATM to promote Armenia as a must-visit destination.”https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/armenia-among-top-destinations-for-uae-travellers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 16, 2024 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2024 OK I get it, we're great with food, and building beautiful churches. I wish we could replicate the same with arms production! Quote VOGUE Aug 15 2024 Meet the Female Chefs Blazing a New Trail in Armenian Cuisine With Georgian cuisine being all the rage in recent years (cue a boat-shaped adjaruli khachapuri bread oozing with cheese and picturesquely topped with a raw egg), neighboring Armenia and its food culture are on the rise among gourmets worldwide. The tiny country in the southern Caucasus—roughly the size of Hawaii and surrounded by Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan—has every right to be extra cautious, given its troubled past and lingering tensions with some of its neighbors. And yet, Armenians welcome travelers with open arms, eager to meet each and every visitor who makes their way to them. Armenia is known for its great hospitality: walk into any bakery and they’ll happily toss three extra loaves of bread in your bag as a gift; go hiking and you can't possibly refuse a spontaneous invitation to a khorovats, Armenian barbecue—signaled only by hand gestures—as you pass one of the many picnic areas. Expect a few shots of homemade vodka to toast family, friendship, and a happy future. No language skills needed, except the universal language of food. From freshly baked lavash bread the size of a small tablecloth, to succulent flatbreads stuffed with up to 40 different herbs called jingalov hats, to buttery gata coffee cake, Armenian cuisine is a celebration of its ancient culture, rich heritage, and natural beauty. In spring, the country comes alive with flowering apricot trees and people flocking to the mountains—which boast a rich biodiversity—to pick herbs. Add to that more than 300 days of sunshine a year and 20 percent of the country covered by Lake Sevan, one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes, and you have some of the tastiest fruits and vegetables in the world. As one of the oldest countries in the world, more and more chefs, makers, and producers are working to shape the country’s culinary future. While women have traditionally done the cooking in Armenian society, it’s female chefs like Arevik Martirosyan of Tsaghkunk Restaurant & Glkhatun who are gaining international recognition for reinventing Armenian cuisine with a modern twist. Armenia is also known as the cradle of wine—with the world’s first winery located in a cave in the south of the country called Areni-1—and Mariam Saghatelyan, co-owner of In Vino wine bar, is working with the best the country has to offer, including a growing number of natural wines. Below, we spotlight the female forces at the forefront of redefining what Armenian cuisine means today. Arevik Martirosyan, head chef of Tsaghkunk Restaurant and Glkhatun Tsaghkunk Restaurant & Glkhatun is a destination restaurant in the truest sense of the word: Leaving the buzzing capital of Yerevan behind, you’ll spend an hour driving north through sweeping landscapes until you reach the tiny village of Tsaghkunk, at about 2000 meters above sea level, with its mountain panorama and passing flocks of sheep and cows grazing on the side of the road. It’s here that chef Arevik Martirosyan creates delicate dishes deeply rooted in tradition while reinventing them. What was once a canteen for Soviet farm workers has become a haven for modern Armenian cuisine: Think wild sorrel with fruit lavash and walnuts, crispy fried chechil string cheese with buttermilk, or sig fish with sea buckthorn from nearby Lake Sevan. “The menu consists of traditional recipes that I interpret in my own way, but also classic Armenian dishes. For example, fish dolma—we have it in Armenian cuisine, but the sauce is my interpretation,” says Martirosyan. Next door, in the restaurant’s Glkhatun, one of the few remaining 11th-century stone houses with a tonir oven in the floor, the village’s two bakers, Gohar Gareginyan and Anna Yesayan, make fresh lavash to, at the same time, keep Armenia’s ancient culinary culture alive. How does the Yerevan-trained chef find the balance between tradition and modernity? “I treat it with care. I add modern touches, but I use only local products.” Today, her farmer husband supplies the restaurant with organic and seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes—which taste especially intense because of the altitude—and Tsaghkunk is involved in the “Gagarin Project,” an initiative to revitalize the region’s rural landscape. Tsaghkunk Restaurant first gained international attention when Mads Refslund, co-founder of the original Noma in Copenhagen, did a pop-up there. But it’s the progressive cuisine of Martirosyan and her team of local chefs, celebrating the best of Armenian produce and culture, that makes this place a must-visit in Armenia. Varda Avetisyan, chef and owner of Kchuch and Tava Often dubbed “the gastronomic capital of Armenia,” Dilijan is a small town in the national park of the same name in the north of the country. Here, Varda Avetisyan is the owner of acclaimed restaurants such as Kchuch and Tava. Born in Yerevan, she moved to Chicago for university, eventually fell in love with Dilijan, and came back. “For me, Dilijan is the most diverse city in Armenia. Because we have the international UWC Dilijan College here and a beautiful community of artists and creatives who have left the busy city life behind,” she says. At her restaurants, Avetisyan has made it her mission to revive the culture of cooking in the brick ovens typical of northern Armenia, but in a new way. On the menu: Seasonal produce from the forests around Dilijan, such as the famous wild mushrooms, cooked in traditional clay pots and cast-iron pans. At Tava, they’re then paired with khasil, “a very old and simple Armenian dish,” made of roasted ground wheat cooked with caramelized onions and clarified butter and choratan, dried salted yogurt that is mixed again with water. “We cook it with a little twist, a little more spiced and toasted in the brick oven.” But that’s not all: Avetisyan also takes on the beloved gata pie, traditionally filled with a mixture of butter, sugar, and sometimes nuts, and often with elaborate decorations. Instead, Avetisyan’s creative alternative is open-faced, so it’s crispy on top, and comes in such unique combinations as blueberry and lemon, or cheese and tarragon, one of the many herbs Armenians love to cook with. “Because for me, food is that: it has the local, the traditional, the old, and also the new and creative, bringing together different cultures and different cuisines,” says Avetisyan. Ani Haroutiunian, founder of Arm Food Lab and co-owner of Ootelie Bakery With Dilijan’s stunning natural surroundings as a backdrop, Ani Haroutiunian opened Arm Food Lab in 2019, a studio space where she experiments with local ingredients. “But not just because it’s a current trend in gastronomy,” she explains. “I have a question for myself as an Armenian, and for all of us in Armenia: what are we going to eat when we’re isolated from the world, for example?” An art historian turned forager, Haroutiunian explores her country’s culinary heritage as well as its edible ecosystems, as Armenia is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. “I want to understand what Armenians ate, how they ate, what recipes and what kind of ingredients they used”, she says. Visitors can learn more about Armenian food culture in her test kitchen: On the table are such intriguing dishes as roasted eggplant with mountain herbs and fermented Armenian hot peppers on top, and sindrik, Solomon’s seal, which is poisonous raw but becomes a tender, bitter green when blanched and drizzled with strawberry vinegar. Always exploring, Haroutiunian also began making bread from heirloom grains in 2015, eventually kickstarting the sourdough movement in Armenia. In 2021, She opened Ootelie Bakery in Dilijan, where she makes her own flour and sources her Armenian wheat, rye, emmer wheat, and seeds from around Tsaghkunk. Her latest project? A bread map of Armenia, where she will include all the unique bread varieties, grains, oven types, and techniques of the most famous bakers from each region. Mariam Saghatelyan, co-owner of In Vino When In Vino, Yerevan’s very first wine bar, opened in 2012, it launched a movement, with its sister restaurant Tapastan opening next door shortly thereafter, and eventually changing the name of an entire street—Saryan Street, now affectionately known simply as “wine street.” It’s also the site of Yerevan’s biggest event of the year, the Yerevan Wine Days, take place. “When we opened, we had only about 10 drinkable Armenian wines. Now we have over 600,” says Mariam Saghatelyan, one of In Vino’s co-owners. “Nobody drank wine, only vodka”. Despite Armenia’s more than 6,000-year history of winemaking, many vineyards were privatized after the collapse of the Soviet Union because people needed wheat and vegetables to survive. “Now there’s a steady kind of movement, it’s growing little by little.” A graduate of Armenia's EVN Wine Academy, Saghatelyan also teaches about wine besides hosting tastings at the shop. In Vino also makes its own wine, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, in the Vayots Dzor highlands, the first in Armenia to be certified organic—and just down the road from the original Areni-1 wine cave. Originally born in California to Armenian parents, she now can’t imagine living anywhere else. “Yerevan is like a dough you can shape,” Saghatelyan says of the capital’s food scene. Just recently, In Vino opened its newest project, 6100, this time on the outskirts of Yerevan. Marina Shaqaryan-Mikayelyan, head cheesemaker at Mikayelyan Family Farm The Mikayelyan Family Farm was born after its co-founder, Marina Shaqaryan-Mikayelyan, began longing for a simpler life outside of the capital—and now, in the small village of Artsvakar just off Lake Sevan, Shaqaryan-Mikayelyan is the head cheesemaker of Armenia’s first (and most prominent) artisan cheese producer. There’s cheese wrapped in vine leaves, brined in pomegranate syrup, and even a two-year-old variety that’s carefully rubbed with cognac each day from the world-renowned Ararat Brandy every day. “She knows every cheese wheel by its face,” says her husband Arman, with whom she runs the business. While Armenia is primarily known for just two types of cheese—Lori and Chanakh—Shaqaryan-Mikayelyan wanted to do something different. Having previously worked as a biochemist, she now translates her passion for science into her cheeses, having gained her knowledge from books and a lot of experimentation. The current collection includes 10 different kinds of cheeses; the number of experiments that have gone wrong, however, totals more than 50. But she’s not afraid of failure: “It's all part of the process.” Arman adds. “Failure happens more often than a good result, but we know that we must never stop.” The whole family is involved, obtaining the milk from their relatives’ cows in the mountains. The couple doesn’t export their cheese, and it’s only available at selected restaurants in Yerevan and during tours of their farm. Their visitors are mostly travelers interested in food and wine. “We always joke that we wanted to escape the city—and now the city is coming to us.” https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-5-women-chefs-modernizing-armenian-cuisine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 24, 2024 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2024 Armenpress.am Armenia10:44, 23 October 2024 Lonely Planet includes Armenia in Best Destinations to Travel in 2025 Read the article in: العربيةEspañolفارسیՀայերենРусский简体中文 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has been named as one of the Best Destinations to Travel in 2025 by Lonely Planet, the renowned travel guide book publisher. The Armenian Tourism Committee commented on the acknowledgment, with Acting Chairperson Susanna Hakobyan saying “It’s an honor to be named as one of the best destinations to travel in 2025.” Hakobyan said this underscores the unique charm, history and hospitality of Armenia. “Armenia can become a unique discovery for every traveler.” Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1202975?fbclid=IwY2xjawGG2xFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXAOLX1hYpnmwA01Dx9zyvBTKBPL_1HjnlOChvamnkr6_z893glwmtppig_aem_fiQuSDCdluNuAlTR6s68GQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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