What is it like...

[Julia]

Re: What is it like...

If you want to really benefit Armenian Race, marry an Armenian (prefabably hayastanci which is person from Republic of Armenia not 3rd generation diasporan (akhpar) because in this case he will be less armenian oriented. and make sure the kids grow up armenian. Send them to armenia every year (maybe even move there). What is your other 3/4 ethnicity?

The other is a mix between English, German, and Welsh.

[Mos]

Re: What is it like...

Thanks.

Would I be welcome, though? What if I was to live there?

You would have to get used to Soviet mentality, heavy corruption everywhere. It will take a while to get used to after US but things are chaning for better and Yerevan is becoming more and more modern so it is good time now and improvement is a lot. I'm going to move back to Armenia after my studies, all my relatives are there and going back and forth every year to Armenia just makes me miss Armenia more. Once you look at Armenian mountains and valleys you will think there is no place more beautiful...

Nice videos on life in Yerevan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o6izWV7RFo (great song!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufPOsBKrc1Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29Q6ILy2b50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cShZ4vQZsfQ

[Mos]

Re: What is it like...

Actually, I'm quite familiar with Armenians and their culture... Every Sunday I go to my mom's friend's house, Harout.. And he grew up in Armenia. I often go to dinners with Armenians among others.

If you want to really benefit Armenian Race, marry an Armenian (prefabably hayastanci which is person from Republic of Armenia not 3rd generation diasporan (akhpar) because in this case he will be less armenian oriented. and make sure the kids grow up armenian. Send them to armenia every year (maybe even move there). What is your other 3/4 ethnicity?

[Julia]

Re: What is it like...

In that case Julia, you should have no problems. Refer to Catharsis's long post for places you should visit-- I have visited the majority of those places myself, and they will all give you a greater appreciation of Armenia, its history, and its culture.

Considering your will to pursue Armenian history as a career, visiting Armenia prior to your studies and then having a constant connection with it is extremely vital in my opinion. Any Armenian, especially one interested in its history, needs to have a healthy notion of what their homeland means to them in real and practical terms.

Thanks.

Would I be welcome, though? What if I was to live there?

[ArmSurvival]

Re: What is it like...

Actually, I'm quite familiar with Armenians and their culture... Every Sunday I go to my mom's friend's house, Harout.. And he grew up in Armenia. I often go to dinners with Armenians among others.

In that case Julia, you should have no problems. Refer to Catharsis's long post for places you should visit-- I have visited the majority of those places myself, and they will all give you a greater appreciation of Armenia, its history, and its culture.

Considering your will to pursue Armenian history as a career, visiting Armenia prior to your studies and then having a constant connection with it is extremely vital in my opinion. Any Armenian, especially one interested in its history, needs to have a healthy notion of what their homeland means to them in real and practical terms.

[Julia]

Re: What is it like...

just go visit. You'll feel like a total outsider because you haven't grown up Armenian. Go to Nor Zovq supermarket when you can, it's the cheapest in Yerevan and my uncle owns it

Actually, I'm quite familiar with Armenians and their culture... Every Sunday I go to my mom's friend's house, Harout.. And he grew up in Armenia. I often go to dinners with Armenians among others.

[Mos]

Re: What is it like...

just go visit. You'll feel like a total outsider because you haven't grown up Armenian. Go to Nor Zovq supermarket when you can, it's the cheapest in Yerevan and my uncle owns it

[Catharsis]

Re: What is it like...

What part of Armenia do you personally suggest that I visit?

Yerevan (the capital of Armenia with a lot of places to visit especially museums like History Museum of Armenia and National Gallery in Republic Square - priceless, very old artifacts and masterpieces here, Erebuni Museum near Erebuni fortress on Arin Berd hill dated to 782 BC - which is considered the birth year of Yerevan - so definitely see the ruins of Erebuni, Saryan Museum, Charents Museum, Parajanoff Museum, the Matenadaran Museum Depository of Ancient manuscripts where some of the ancient and medieval Armenian illuminated manuscripts are displayed, the Armenian Genocide Monument and Museum on Tsitsernakberd Hill etc. etc. there quite a lot of museums in Yerevan), Garni Temple (First Century AD Mithraic Temple) with the adjoining colorful mosaics in the antique Garni baths and Garni Gorge with natural (but seemingly man made) cliffs right below. Nearby is the medieval monastery of Geghard, again built on heathen Temple chiseled right out of the massive cliff! As in all Armenian monasteries some very beautiful Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) are throughout the grounds of the monastery. Ruins of the beautiful fifth century Ereruyk Basilica on the right banks of Arax river facing Ani. In northern Armenia various monastic complexes like Odzun, Sanahin, Gndevank, Kecharis, Hovannavank, Haghpat, Akhtala, Goshavank as well as many others (I can list additional monuments if you wish).

Near Armavir, Sardarapat Victory Monument (over invading Turkish army) along with the Armenian Ethnographic Museum. Visit the nearby Metsamor Museum (again in Armavir province) where you can see some of the very old Armenian artifacts from the Stone age all the way through Bronze and Iron ages. Metsamor was a very important metal smelting and producing center throughout the whole Near East.In Vagharshapat, there are a lot of churches and monasteries (The seat of Armenian Apostolic Church at Etchmiadzin's Mother Cathedral from early fourth century built upon an older Mithraic temple, ruins of the 7th century superb Zvartnots Cathedral, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime, St. Gevorg etc.). Khor Virap Monastery overlooking the beautiful Mount Ararat right above - where according to tradition St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for many years before his release and conversion of Armenia to Christianity in 301 AD. Visit Lake Sevan (largest lake within the borders of the Armenian Republic) there are two beautiful medieval monasteries on the peninsula of the lake. Visit the ruins of the imposing medieval Amberd fortress and Marmashen monastery in Aragatsotn province (central Armenia) on the slopes of breathtaking Mount Aragats with high elevation and breathtaking scenery. A visit to the nearby Byurakan Observatory (including the museum of the Observatory and the largest telescope tower) where Armenian astrophysicist Victor Hambardzumyan made many astronomical discoveries would also be very good. As with all these monuments lots and lots of history behind them.

Visit Armenia's second and third largest cities - Gyumri and Vanadzor - respectively in Shirak and Lori provinces in the north, if you have a chance some very nice monuments and scenery here. Lori province is sometimes called the Switzerland of Armenia because of its lush green forests. In Vayots Dzor province the beautiful Norashen monastery and the ruins of medieval Gladzor university, in Syunik province there are many important monuments like the still standing Tatev Monastery and University. There is also the many millennia old Karahunge or Zorats Karer circle that is the parallel of Stonehenge. There are also rock pictographs dating to the dawn of history, in the foothills of Ughtasar (Syunik) and Geghama (Lake Sevan basin) mountains. Visit the ruins of Spitakavor church in Syunik, where the remains of Armenian National Hero Garegin Nzdheh are interned. If you have a chance visit Artsakh (to the east of the Armenian Republic adjoining Syunik province of RA) also which is an independent republic in its own right. The landscape there is also amazingly beautiful! While amongst the important monuments of Artsakh are the Gandzasar and Dadivank monasteries with many many other landmarks in cities like Stepanakert and Shushi.

You would also want to visit Yerevan State University and American University of Armenia (also in Yerevan) to talk about Armenian history courses there since that would be of interest to you! This is only tip of the iceberg so do speak, since there is so much to see and so much to do in Armenia!

[Pazooki]

Re: What is it like...

and dont forget to go to Sevana Leech :P

[Julia]

Re: What is it like...

Okay, thanks everyone for your input.