Tom and Jane in Armenia

Welcome to Armenia guys!

I’ll be your personal guide

here.

Great! We’ve heard a lot about this ancient country.

Yeah! And now we have a nice

opportunity to appreciate it’s beauty .

Ok! Let’s start. And first of all I would like to

present you the capital of my country – Yerevan.

Like many Armenian capitals throughout

millenniums, Yerevan is located in the Araratian

plain. Emerging from Ancient Castle of

Erebuni, which was founded in 782 BC by

Armenian king Argishti, Yerevan is 29 years older

than Rome and ornamented with

inviting squares and splendid museums,

galleries and spirited with theatres,

universities, restaurants, cafes and parks it is younger than many

Western capitals.

In the summer and fall, central Yerevan can feel like one big café, with the Opera area being their capital. It remains light out until late, people are out drinking

surj (Armenian coffee) , eating pastries and enjoying Armenian fruits. The days can be hot, so the nights are perfect for sitting out.

The heart of Yerevan, is the Republic Square, the only one in its type, endowed by singing fountains

and a magnificent mosaic rock carpet, which covers 3000 year old ruins underneath it! The Republic Square and all buildings circling it

were designed by Alexander Tamanyan the beloved architect for

Armenians. The large oval of the Square will give you a great chance to examine Tamanyan’s distinctive

designs in detail.

Now guys let‘s move to Matenadaran

Wow! And what does the word „Matenadaran“

mean?

It means "repository of manuscripts" in Armenian.By the way,here you can see Armenian letters

Impressing statues of Mashtots, the creator of Armenian Alphabet and other eminent Armenians; Korun, Gosh, Shirakatsi, Tatevatsi etc. are erected in front of

Matenadaran.

Matenadaran has one of the largest manuscript collections in the world and has the largest collection of Armenian manuscripts. It has over 17 000 units which include numerous fragments

from Armenian and foreign ancient manuscripts, complete parchments, copies of first printed books etc.

Matenadaran is not only a museum, but a major research center. There is a large library functioning adjacent to Matenadaran, which is truly the most important scientific center for Armenian studies.

Great! I‘ve felt the breath of centuries

here .

Yes jane,you right!Even during this very short visit to Matenadaran I‘ve revealed the vital

role the Armenian language and the

Armenian Alphabet have played in world culture…

Ok guys! Now I want to show you another

interesting place in Yerevan - Vernissage

Near the Opera house, in a small square contemporary Armenian artists and painters present their paintings to sell them and hear public opinion. On Saturdays and Sundays, this square turns into a real open-air gallery, into a real center of contemporary art and culture.

Here, in Vernissage, you can simply walk around and enjoy the paintings of modern painters. You can meet the painters themselves and comment about this or the other piece of art, buy a painting or simply order a new one: be it a portrait, a landscape or a still life.

What is the name of the

instrument that man plays ? It

sounds so nice.

It is the oldest Armenian

instrument called Duduk

Have you ever felt the miraculous influence of music? If not, you

need to hear the touching sounds of the Armenian Duduk. The

instrument has a 1,900 year history and although it is used in many Caucasus countries it is of true

Armenian origin. The Duduk is a wind instrument made from

apricot timber, and thus it is called tsiranapogh (apricot pipe) in the

Armenian language. It has a warm, soft and slightly dulled sound that is controlled by pressure of the lips and by closing eight or nine holes with fingers. Today the Duduk has

been used in almost 60 famous Hollywood and independent films, such as "Titanic" and "Gladiator".

The magic sound of the Duduk is in such harmony with nature, history, and the spirit of Armenia, that it is

hard to picture this country without the Duduk.

So guys , now we’re approaching to one of tourist’s most favorite places - Yerevan Brandy Factory, which offers tours, with a full visit to its

production facilities, and tasting of their various brandies .

Armenian brandy is the pride of Armenians: it accompanies every single wedding and celebration and its story goes back all the way to Noah, when he planted the first wine tree.

The list of devotees to the Armenian Brandy includes many celebrities such as Sir Winston Churchill to whom the provision of Brandy was maintained by Stalin himself.

In his late years, when Churchill was asked what the secret of his long life was, he answered: "Never be late for lunch, smoke Hawaiian cigars and drink Armenian

Brandy". Yerevan Brandy Factory is the right place to receive first hand information regarding the techniques of production, to taste this legendary drink.

And what about

Armenian food?

Yeah ! I want to taste the

food of Armenian national cuisine

Sure! I‘m also

hungry.Let‘s move !

These ladies are just in a process of

preparation of Armenian bread called ‘’Lavash’’

Now when we’re full up we can continue our trip and visit

spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian

Apostolic Church

Echmiadzin -"the place where the Only Begotten Son of God descended“ , the residence of the patriarch of the Armenian Church.

Once in seven years in autumn in the Cathedral Church of Echmiadzin,

Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians says the Mass for Holly

Myrrh Blessing symbolizing the presence of God. It is the most sacred

and mysterious ceremony for Armenian people and Apostolic

church.

Armenia has over 50,000 hand-made crosses, sculptured of rocks, no one is identical to another one. Each cross-stone has its own pattern; each one has its own story

which goes back to the depth of ages

Great! I got so many impression

from this country !

The next time we’ll certainly come here with our friends .

You’re always welcome !

Armenia is open for everybody each season of

the year !

Thank you for your attention