YEREVAN
Оn May 28, 1918, as a result of the victorious May heroic battles at Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Karakilis, Yerevan with more than 400-year history of the administrative center finally became the capital of the new independent First Republic Armenia. As the capital of Armenia and the center of Armenian culture, Yerevan celebrated its independence with rapid construction and population growth. New streets, avenues, buildings and squares have appeared. The population of Yerevan also grew as a result of a strong influx of Armenian emigrants. In fact, the population of Yerevan over the past 100 years has increased almost 10 times, today it exceeds 1 million people.
Day by day Yerevan developed and became more and more beautiful. In 1920-1921, a lot of work was done to create industrial enterprises, end hunger and epidemics, open schools, establish a water supply system, clean streets and squares. Artist Martiros Saryan, composer Alexander Spendiaryan, poet Shushanik Kurginyan, architect Alexander Tamanyan and many others moved to Armenia at the invitation of the leadership. Tamanyan was destined to develop a new plan for Yerevan.
In 1921, the "Ararat" trust was organized, which united the enterprises for the production of cognac wines. Theaters, a film studio, a university have opened in Yerevan, many artists have founded clubs and unions. In 1926-1927. a number of factories and plants were put into operation. In 1932, the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was opened, and since 1933 - the Polytechnic, Theatrical, Conservatory and other pedagogical institutes.
Despite the breakthrough changes, history continues to live in Yerevan: medieval books (manuscripts) are kept in the Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, and the ruins of the Erebuni fortress, built in the 782 century, and other monuments of history and culture are available to visitors. Taking the date of foundation of the Erebuni fortress as a starting point, Yerevan is, in fact, 29 years older than Rome. However, it is a modern city. The present appearance of Yerevan was formed only in the middle of the 20th century, during the Soviet era, but the city is inherent in the Armenian character and spirit. During the period of the so-called "universal Soviet style", which was widespread throughout the USSR, modern Armenian architects managed to revive the traditions of Armenian medieval architecture, giving a special, unique style to the facades of buildings. Even sculptures dedicated to possible Soviet events had national sacral features thanks to the work of brilliant masters. But one cannot fail to notice that in the last decades of the existence of the USSR, typical Soviet buildings were built in different districts of Yerevan, mainly outside the center.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Yerevan became the current capital of the Third Independent Republic of Armenia.
The inhabitants of Yerevan mainly speak the Yerevan dialect, a significant part of which is the classical Armenian language. But the influence of borrowings from Persian and Russian can still be traced, which is natural, given the years without statehood and the centuries-old coexistence of peoples.
Each city has its own unique geographic features. The biblical Mount Ararat can be seen from many places in Armenia. Magnificent views open from Yerevan. Giant and mysterious Ararat is ideal at any time of the year. It is difficult to convey in words the emotions that a person experiences, studying every wrinkle of the majestic mountain and its white peaks. According to the idea of the author of the general plan of Yerevan, Al. Tamanyan, it seems that all of Yerevan is turned to face the mountain and meets it. Ararat is not just a miracle of nature for Armenians. It has a mysterious meaning. For Armenians, Saint Ararat is the keeper of the country, the keeper of the idea, the keeper of goals and dreams. In moments of happiness, the mountain smiles at the city, and in difficult days it protects. With its miraculous captivating power, Mount Ararat unites all Armenians living both in their homeland and around the world, attracts and gathers their children at the foot of the sacred national symbol.
