SQUARES AND PARKS

XVIII century

Reconstructed in 1949

Latest reconstruction: 2007, project author: Pierre Rambach (Switzerland)

Supervising architect and project coordinator: Sarhat Petrosyan

Together with Albert and Jean Boghossian (Switzerland, Belgium)

Implementation by the “Hayastan Pan-Armenian Fund”

The park is situated in the Arabkir administrative district, near the “Marshal Baghramyan” station of the Yerevan metro, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia (formerly the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia), and the residence of the President of the Republic of Armenia (formerly the building of the Supreme Council of the USSR). It is located at the intersection of Marshal Baghramyan Avenue and Demirchyan Street. The park has been in existence since at least the 18th century and is featured anonymously on the 1906-1911 city plan of Yerevan by Boris Mehrabyan.

In 1949, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, the park was named “Pushkin’s Garden.” In 1970, it was renamed “Friendship Park” to honor the friendship among the peoples of the USSR, although the original name remained in use. In 1981, the "Marshal Baghramyan" metro station was constructed on the northwestern side of the park, with its southern entrance opening into the park. Following Armenia’s independence in 1995, the park was renamed “Lovers’ Park.” During 2006-2007, the park was redesigned in a Japanese style, with the project sponsored by the “Roberd Boghossian” Foundation.

The park’s reconstruction was designed by landscape architect Pierre Rambach, and the grand opening took place on October 17, 2008. Covering a total area of 1.6 hectares, the park features 1.05 hectares of green space and 0.11 hectares of water area. The redevelopment included passageways, waterways, an artificial lake with two islands, four artificial waterfalls, an amphitheater, bridges, pavilions, fountains (spring-monuments), a children’s playground, and various stone structures. New trees were also planted. The park has entrances from both Marshal Baghramyan Avenue and Demirchyan Street.

In 2010, a bronze statue of Gevorg Emin, created by sculptor Ashot Aramyan from Moscow, was installed in the park. The park was a favorite spot for the renowned Armenian poet, who often walked, rested, and met friends there. Other notable sculptures in the park include:

• “Union of Love” (2017, bronze, architect: Mikayel Hasratyan, sculptor: Davit Yerevantsi, patron: Ilya Sarkisov)
• “Armenuhi” (1968, installed 2009, clay, sculptor-potter: Hripsime Simonyan)
• “The Three Elephants” (2017, porous steel, sculptor: Nadim Karam [Lebanon])
• “Obsidian Heart” (2014, sculptor: Jean-Michel Ottoniel [France])

Lovers’ Park is the first and only Japanese-style park in Armenia, serving not only as a recreational area but also as a venue for various events.

“Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO

Yerevan Municipality