2,798th Anniverary of Our Wonderful City Yerevan

• 10.08.2016, 10:13
•  Armenia,  Info,  No-politics

Projects.aegee.org

Every year in the middle of October the atmosphere in the capital of Armenia becomes even warmer - everyone celebrates Yerevan's birthday...

Archaeological evidences indicate that the Urartian military fortress of Erebuni, which was right in the place of today's Yerevan, was founded in 782 BC (29 years earlier than Rome) by King Argishti I to serve as a fort and citadel guarding against the attacks from north Caucasus. Yerevan, as mentioned, is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world.

 During the course of centuries the city had an important role in the economic, social and political life of Armenia. Many caravan routes passed through that big trade center. Archeological excavations indicate that Erebuni was a big administrative center, the most powerful in Ararat valley. The city endured numerous raids of Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols and Turks, but the people continued to create and develop the city. Though passing through many difficulties they created a valuable culture and developed sciences.

On May 28, 1918 Yerevan was declared as the capital of the Republic of Armenia, and on November 29, 1920 - as the capital of Soviet Armenia.

Yerevan was the first city in the Soviet Union for which a General Plan was developed. The General Plan developed by the academician Alexander Tamanyan was approved in 1924: it was designed for 150,000 people. During the course of time the administrative area of the city increased 5 times. Construction of Yerevan started: it was built by basalt, granite and marble. The most widely used construction material was rosy tufa stone. Since this construction material gave a unique vividness and specific tint to the city, Yerevan was called "Rosy city". During next 70 years the area of the city was enlarged even more.

On September 21, 1921 Yerevan became not only a capital of the independent Republic of Armenia, but also of all Armenian people spread all over the world.

The first official celebration of "Erebuni-Yerevan" was held in October of 1968 - the 2,750th anniversary. The celebrations lasted about a week. Lots of various and interesting measures were taken.

The concerts of art groups were going on for some days on the stages placed in the squares, parks, streets and gardens of the capital.

Year by year this holiday is becoming more various and more popular. Together with traditional celebrations new ones appeared.

Tourism in Armenia is developing year by year and the capital city of Yerevan is one of the major tourist destinations. The city has a majority of luxury hotels, modern restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs. Zvartnots airport, which was recently renovated and can be considered as one of the most beautiful airports in the world, receives growing number of tourists from various countries. Numerous places in Yerevan are attractive for tourists, such as the dancing fountains of the Republic Square, the State Opera House, the Cascade complex, the ruins of the Urartian city of Erebuni (Arin Berd), the historical site of Karmir Blur (Teishebaini), etc.

The location of Yerevan itself, is an inspiring factor for the foreigners to visit the city in order to enjoy the view of the biblical mount of Ararat, as the city lies on the feet of the mountain forming the shape of a Roman amphitheatre.

Yerevan is home to dozens of museums, art galleries, and libraries. The most prominent of these are the National Gallery of Armenia, the History Museum of Armenia, the Cafesjian Museum of Art, the Matenadaran library of ancient manuscripts, and the Armenian Genocide museum-institute. Others include the Modern Art Museum, the Children’s Picture Gallery, and the Martiros Saryan Museum. 

Happy Birthday OUR Yerevan!!!