The weather in Yerevan has been dreary these past couple of days. It's been cold and rainy, a little odd for September (I remember wearing shorts last October), but hopefully it'll change very soon.
This year's annual Kenats Festival launched on Friday when the park in front of the National Assembly was opened to the public for a performance from the National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra. The Festival comes to an end Sunday night with fireworks (which happens every week or two in this city).
Today Raffi K and I hooked up for pizza then checked out the newly renovated, but not yet complete, Republic Square. Although I don't think the renovations are anything spectacular, it's quite an improvement from before. There are lamp posts all around the Square now, the ground has been repaved, the huge mosaic in the middle is there, the section around the fountain has been made larger and all the walkways in front of the buildings have been redone.
After that we went to the Festival which was taking place on upper Mashtots where they had closed down the street to set up a stage for all the performers.
Man is Yerevan looking good lately. The Lincy Foundation renovations are coming to an end, but there still is construction everywhere. Walking down the streets and looking at buildings you will notice people renovating their apartments all around the city. New shops, restaurants, and cafes are opening up daily.
It is the 12th year of independence for Armenia today. I'm sure that Yerevan is completely different now than it was 12 years ago. The amount of improvement this country (or rather mostly Yerevan) has been through in the past 6-7 years is enough to make other former Soviet Republics jealous. There is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to lessening poverty and creating more jobs and industries, but it is clear to see how positive the future looks. I'm so glad to be witnessing all the improvements with my own eyes.
This year's annual Kenats Festival launched on Friday when the park in front of the National Assembly was opened to the public for a performance from the National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra. The Festival comes to an end Sunday night with fireworks (which happens every week or two in this city).
Today Raffi K and I hooked up for pizza then checked out the newly renovated, but not yet complete, Republic Square. Although I don't think the renovations are anything spectacular, it's quite an improvement from before. There are lamp posts all around the Square now, the ground has been repaved, the huge mosaic in the middle is there, the section around the fountain has been made larger and all the walkways in front of the buildings have been redone.
After that we went to the Festival which was taking place on upper Mashtots where they had closed down the street to set up a stage for all the performers.
Man is Yerevan looking good lately. The Lincy Foundation renovations are coming to an end, but there still is construction everywhere. Walking down the streets and looking at buildings you will notice people renovating their apartments all around the city. New shops, restaurants, and cafes are opening up daily.
It is the 12th year of independence for Armenia today. I'm sure that Yerevan is completely different now than it was 12 years ago. The amount of improvement this country (or rather mostly Yerevan) has been through in the past 6-7 years is enough to make other former Soviet Republics jealous. There is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to lessening poverty and creating more jobs and industries, but it is clear to see how positive the future looks. I'm so glad to be witnessing all the improvements with my own eyes.
posted by Der Hova at 1:47 AM
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