Back from a short trip to Sweden where I surprised my sis for my niece’s baptism. She has no blood relatives there, so naturally she was thrilled to have someone from her side of the family there.
Why do so many European-Armenians say, “What is there to do in Armenia, nothing!” I’m curious, what do the majority of people abroad do anyway? Work, work, work, go out to a restaurant, see a movie once in a while, go to a beach, maybe some bowling, a club or bar, perhaps theatre, and then what? Now what do people in Armenia do? What are we missing really?
So I’m back to a hectic schedule, again. R.P.’s video has received a lot of positive feedback. All the ‘important’ TV stations are airing the video. We rejected one station’s request for $850 a month to air the video twice a day, and surprisingly they aired the video the next day.
I’m composing and producing a few songs for pop singer Sofi Mkheyan’s forthcoming album. Her next single is one I co-wrote with singer Arsen Safaryan’s brother. She just returned from Spain, where she shot the music video. Another newcomer by the name of Lilu is getting ready to shoot her video, a song I produced and co-wrote with singer Shprot. I’m working around the clock, and as stressed out as I am lately, I shouldn’t be complaining. I’m enjoying the results. The scary reality is that I’m focussing on local projects more than abroad, and slowly losing touch with contacts abroad. In any case, I’ve been here for almost 5 years, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be leaving anytime soon.
So that’s my current life in a nutshell.
5 Comments:
Most Diasporans are ignorant about Armenia when they say that, and I bet you half of those who say that, haven't even been there to know.
But it also depends on which Armenia you're talking about. If you live in downtown Yerevan or surrounding area, and have a bit of cash in your pocket, there's lots to do.
If you live in Vanadzor...not so much. I would imagine life would get boring pretty fast.
re: Now what do people in Armenia do...
I think the key is the 'work' part. There are not as many opportunities in Armenia as in the West.
Leisure activities such as bowling; seeing a play, a film, concert, or a sporting event; maybe visiting the zoo or an amusement park ... these all cost money anywhere in the world, but the fact that we have all that here in Yerevan is the point I wanted to make.
Of course living outside of Yerevan is a different issue, but then again, how many countries as small as Armenia have more than one exciting city? Remember, Vanadzor has a population probably less than 100,000. I assume the average teenager would get bored living in a city of less than 100,000 anywhere in the world, not just in Armenia.
Slowly things are progressing. I think it was last year a movie theatre opened up in Gyumri. Cafe culture is popular in all the 'major' cities of Armenia. But, like most small countries in the world, capital cities usually have all the so-called action.
Again the point of my blog was to criticize European-Armenians who claim there is nothing to do in Armenia, not what it costs to enjoy those activities. (By the way, visiting the zoo here costs less than $1 and $20+ in North America; a concert, play or sporting event costs $3+ and $40+++ in North America.)
Ուր Հաց..Հոն Կաց
Nice to be able to earn a living making Armenian rap videos. What opportunities are there for average working class Armenians from Bourj Hamoud or Haleb??
anonymous thanks for the ignorant comment, but I don't make rap videos for a living.
Don't know anyone from Bourj Hamoud here, but my Halebtsi cousins work and study in Armenia.
Another stupid comment from someone who's disregarded the point of a blog.
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