Evn report

A special podcast series featuring ordinary people walking through the streets of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan. This week’s host is Hovhannes Nazaretyan, a university student, activist and journalist. Glossary of Terms Marshutka: a form of public transportation used in Yerevan. Silva Kaputikyan (1919-2006): Soviet Armenian poet and political activist. She was one of the leading intellectuals of the 1988 Karabakh Movement. 2004 protests: During the 2003 presidential election in Armenia, opposition candidate Stepan Demirchyan was defeated by Robert Kocharyan in a second round of voting. Following a year of tensions, protesters regrouped in April 2004 with the objective of forcing Kocharyan’s resignation. After several days of protests, police forcefully dispersed demonstrators using water cannons and stun grenades. Passage of Nikol Pashinyan’s speech: “I will go, I will enter the area of the National Assembly to negotiate with the parliamentarians and political forces about overcoming the current political situation. And we will do it in an atmosphere of love and solidarity. Istanbul Convention: Opened for signature on May 11 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence has led to divisions in Armenian society. Pulpulak: a public water fountain. Artur Vanetsyan: the current head of the National Security Service of Armenia. Aram Khachaturyan (1903-1978): World famous Soviet Armenian composer. Author of the famous “Gayane” and “Spartacus” ballets, three symphonies, piano, violin and cello concertos, as well as many other musical compositions. Khachatryan’s house-museum is located in Yerevan, Armenia. Music used in the podcast: Aram Khachaturyan, “Sabre Dance” from the “Spartacus” ballet, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker orchestra, conductor Simon Rattle. Recorded and produced by Arpine Haroyan.

A special podcast series featuring ordinary people walking through the streets of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan. This week’s host is Maria Titizian, founding Editor of EVN Report and lecturer at the American University of Armenia. Glossary of Terms Alexander Tamanyan - an Armenian neoclassical architect who drew up the first general plan of the modern city of Yerevan, which was approved in 1924. Among famous buildings and projects of Tamanyan are the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Government House at Republic Square, the State Medical University as well as Freedom Square and Republic Square. Karen Karapetyan - Armenia’s former Prime Minister (2016-2018). Hovik Abrahamyan - Armenia’s former Prime Minister (2014–2016) , and former President of the National Assembly (2012-2014). Victory Park- a public park located on Аzatutyun Street, in the Kanaker-Zeytun district of Yerevan. The construction of the park began in the 1930s and was named Arabkir City Park, however after WWII it was renamed to Victory Park. It contains a memorial and a museum dedicated to the soldiers of WWII and a part of it serves as an amusement park. Mother Armenia - a statue of a woman holding a sword symbolizing Armenia. The monumental statue was installed at Victory Park in 1962, replacing the statue of Joseph Stalin. The sculptor is Ara Harutyunyan. Pulpulak - a public water fountain. Gerard Cafesjian - a US-Armenian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Cafesjian Family Foundation, the Cafesjian Museum Foundation and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Music used in podcast: Anthem of Armenian SSR, composed by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978), lyrics by writer Sarmen (1901-1984) in 1944. A Paris - performed, and arranged by Victor Chistol La Boheme - performed by Charles Aznavour Recorded and produced by Arpine Haroyan.

A special podcast series featuring ordinary people walking through the streets of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan. This week’s host is Susanna Ghazoyan, a resident of Gyumri, currently a Masters student in Yerevan who considers herself to be a pretty funny person. Glossary of Terms Karen Demirchyan Subway System - The subway was opened in 1981 and currently has a single line with 10 stations. It also has a short and separate line that serves the Shengavit-Charbakh branch. The construction of the subway was initiated by Karen Demirchyan, who was then the First Secretary of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. Gortsaranayin subway station - A subway station in Yerevan that was opened in 1983. The station is located in an industrial part of Yerevan that is known for its numerous factories. Some of those have been abandoned after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Garegin Nzhdeh Square - Formerly known as Suren Spandaryan Square, it is the second largest square in Yerevan, located in the Shengavit district. The statue of Suren Spandaryan is in the middle of the square. Suren Spandaryan - An Armenian literary critic, journalist and a Bolsehvik. In 1912, he was arrested and then was sentenced to exile in Siberia where he died four years later. Third Mas - One of the urban areas of Yerevan, a part of Shengavit district. Rabiz culture - A musical genre in Armenia formed during the Soviet Union. Back then the culture was associated with workers and the word rabiz was an abbreviation of Russian “Rabochee Iskustvo” meaning “art of laborers.” Other theories state that the word has Turkish origins: “rab” meaning a creator, and “aziz” meaning darling. Rabiz music sounds like a mixture of Arabic and Turkish melodies and Armenian words. Qyart subculture - A type of people in Armenia who are known for wearing black, listening to rabiz music, speaking in criminal terminology and being conservative. Gyumri - The second largest city in Armenia, famous for its arts and crafts. The city was largely affected after the 1988 Spitak earthquake that took the lives of 25,000 people. Trolley - An electric bus using an external source of electricity and one of the transportation means in Yerevan. Music used in podcast: Tigran Asatryan - Ur Vor Gnas Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody Harut Pambukchyan - Bari Luys Tikin Arus Recorded and produced by Arpine Haroyan.

A special podcast series featuring ordinary people walking through the streets of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan. This week’s host is AUA Professor Lucyann Kerry. Glossary of Terms Mher Mkrtchyan - One of the oldest streets of central Yerevan named after famous actor Mher Mkrtchyan. Gold Market - the main gold market in Yerevan located on Khorenatsi Street. Rossia Mall - a newly built shopping mall located on Tigran Mets Street. The name of the mall comes from the building located next to it, the movie theater “Rossia” (previously “Ayrarat”), an example of Soviet modern architecture. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the building was transformed into a shopping center. Saint Gregory the Illuminator - One of the key figures in Armenian history and the first head of the Armenian Apostolistic Church. In 301 AD, thanks to his efforts, Armenia adopted Christianity as its state religion. Vernissage - a large open-air market near Republic Square. The market is famous among tourists and locals for its traditional Armenian rugs, handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, clothing, as well as musical instruments, paintings and antiquities. Music used in podcast: Goran Bregović - Ederlezi Reincarnation band - Sirunik Es Recorded and produced by Arpine Haroyan.

Singer/songwriter Alin Demirdjian came to Armenia from Argentina with a mission - to record one song in each province, including the provinces of Artsakh. Alin speaks to EVN Report about her journey.