Monday, October 12, 2009

Yerevan is 2791 years old! My report from the celebrations

Citizens of Yerevan and its guests witnessed the most large-scale celebration ever today. Hardly anyone can recall any event that was celebrated with such wide scope. It wasn't an anniversary and in fact, last year's 2790th celebrations were in no comparison with this year's. Rumors say that it was organized this way because it was the first Yerevan Day celebration for the newly elected head of City Municipality, and plus, some really big distraction for people was needed after the fuss of signing the protocols for normalizing Armenian-Turkish reactions on October 10. Interesting to mention that the ribbons, pins and other symbols of celebration had October 10 writing on them.
The traffic in all the downtown was completely stopped for the whole day. We had a rare chance to see Mashtots, Sayat-Nova avenues, Abovyan, Khanjyan streets so empty!

Abovyan street. View from the crossroad with Sayat Nova ave.
Besides, the whole city was decorated with country and city flags and all of that was making the mood. I loved that people were happy, smiling and even congratulating each others on the streets! Yes, I mean strangers :)


the locations of events on the Yerevan Map

The list of events included:

  • 2791m length marathon of paraolympic games' participants (from the Victory bridge to Matenadaran)
  • Cycle racing
  • Washing of statues of Yerevan
  • Windsurfing demonstrative contest on the Swan lake.
  • Festive parade from the Russian Square to the Republic Square
  • Theatrical walk of 3000 person troops headed by King Argishti
  • City of masters on Northern Avenue - various people and organizations were showcasing their art
  • Retro automobiles show at Cascade Complex.
  • Shooting of a film about Yerevan at the statue of "Tghamardik" (Men) near Saryan statue.
  • Brass bands performances on various locations
  • Only Northern Avenue held 5 stages which were "occupied" by various kids' singing or dancing ensembles.
  • Concert stages:
    • Jazz music stage at Cascade Complex
    • Children's stage (various performances, games, clowns and fairytales' heroes) in Kirov park
    • Theatrical stage (mime shows, performances, etudes) in Moscow Boulevard
    • "Author" music stage in Moscow Boulevard
    • Stage of world nations (ethnic minorities in Armenia) in English Park
    • Variety performers' stage (pop music) at the Stepan Shahumian square
    • Youth stage (DJs, fire show) in front of Matenadaran
    • Rock music stage at Charles Aznavour square (in front of Moscow cinema)
    • Classical music stage in the park in front of the music conservatory
    • Ethnic music stage at the crossroad of Mashtots avenue and Biuzand street
    • Gala concert on Republic Square with the participation of international pop stars
  • Festive fireworks at the Republic Square and from 20 locations of Yerevan



As you can see the scale is really impressive and the organization was rather good than bad. All of the major organizing companies were involved and hundreds of volunteers were coordinated. I only got disappointed when realized that being there at the heart of celebrations at 4 in the afternoon, I couldn't get any flag or pin or balloons :( because they were all distributed. By the way, many information centers were organized on various locations that were distributing flyers and agenda and also the symbols.


Trust me, I have NEVER EVER seen the city so crowded before !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seemed like there were hundreds of thousands people in the streets. They were all happy, shining and content. I was enjoying watching faces of the people passing by from the windows of several cafes in downtown, meanwhile being able to do some stuff for job (long-live free wi-fi) and also to upload the photos I took by that time.

Photos from the demonstrations of windsurfing on the Swan Lake:




I took only few photos, since after working so much in a photo agency I finally realized that my camera sucks :D (while my photography skills got developed!) and also I had in mind that our photographers that were running in the city to capture all the events would bring awesome shots that I can also make use of ;)

I'm so positive and happy now. In fact, I would die if, for some reason like being abroad, I wouldn't be able to see and feel all this. I'm so not programmed to live abroad for a relatively long period. I can't miss my city and my people to see festive and really happy!

So.. Enjoy the pics :) and let me go to collapse on my bed… I was on feet the whole day!



Northern Avenue

Children dance ensemble prepares for the performance


Rock music stage with Bambir band in front of the Moscow Cinema


3 comments:

Mediapitek said...

an excellent account of the celebrations, the best i've seen so far. thanks for the post and pics

Noemi said...

I wish i was there tooo...!!!
i was missing Yerevan the whole day yesterday.. up to now.. and always..
thanks for the post!! but it made me even more unhappy.. ))

Mira said...

I see you really enjoyed it!
The woman cleaning her shoes with hands is killing me on IMG_1626.
Sorry, but where is the English Park???????????
Thanks for a very interesting post!