Երևան - Yerevan


Երևան դարձած իմ Էրեբունի,
Դու մեր նոր Դվին, մեր նոր Անի:
Մեր փոքրիկ հողի դու մեծ երազանք,
Մեր դարե կարոտ, մեր քարե նազանք:

Երևան դարձա՜ծ իմ Էրեբունի,
Դարեր ես անցել, բայց մնացել ես պատանի:
Քո Մասիս հորով, քո Արաքս մորով,
Մեծանաս դարով, Երևա՜ն:
...

            հեղ:        Պարույր Սևակ
            երաժշ.:   Էտկար Յովհաննիսեանի:

Ode to the Erebuni fortress, which became the capital Yerevan... By now, surely considered a corny old song, here in Armenia; and a song for children's choirs, in the Diaspora at any rate. But it comes to mind, as it is probably the only Armenian song I know with the name of the capital in the lyrics.

Actually, I just thought of another one ("Pretty girl from Yerevan"):

Երևանի սիրուն աղջիկ

            (Lyrics by Vladimir Harutyunyan; music by Arno Babajanyan)

Unlike in Yeghegnadzor, I have no set plans or itinerary here, other than meeting with political figures, NGOs, and friends. I don't mind a day "off", I haven't done much since arriving here a few hours ago, just settling in to my little AirBNB apartment close to the Blue Mosque, I got some groceries, did some laundry, and am wondering whether the slight tickle in my throat is anything to worry about.

I will be switching gears while here. Van Armenian, the president of the Atken Armenian Foundation, who helped me with the fundraising efforts and continues to do so, arranged for me to meet with Sara Anjargolian, the Chief of Staff of the country's Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, I meet with her later today. The point of the meeting is to see in what way I can be useful while here or after I return. I am told she is THE person to speak to regarding Armenia's NGO world. I am going in blind: perhaps things will be clearer after the meeting.

Raffi and Lara suggested several names of people I should meet, as had my friend Tamar Toufayan from Ottawa: politicians, NGO heads. I am curious to know what I can do while here, other than meeting people: perhaps I can offer to help local NGOs? Will I have any immediate impact on people, as in Yeghegnadzor, even if small in scale? Can I get my hands dirty here, or will I only be meeting people with the hopes of establishing lasting ties once back in Canada? Will I miss the beautiful countryside? 

We'll see how it goes.

Comments

  1. Antoine S. Terjanian27 January 2021 at 12:40

    Sara Anjargolian is one of the best, most competent and most generous young patriots I have met. My wife and I met her in June 2002, just a few days after we landed in Armenia. Sheila and I were preparing to go to an official ceremony where we were performing on stage and our house mother called to advise us that the water had been shut-off in our part of Yerevan and that we could not have a shower before we went to our 'important' function. This young Fullbright scholar, Sara, was in the room when we received the phone call. We had just met her the day before. She immediately handed us the keys to her nearby apartment where she said she had a reservoir full of water for us to take a shower.
    I hope you write to us about your meeting with Ms. Anjargolian.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aram28 January 2021 at 00:04

      It was brief but very informative. I felt she was very competent and hardworking, seemingly always wanting to push limits and do more, yet realistic about the limitations. I really liked her. When I asked for suggestions of what I can do here and who I can meet, she actually suggested I stop for a moment and breathe in Yerevan, take it all in so to speak, which I think was very wise. It's what I plan to do today. Thanks for your always informative comments Antoine!

      Delete

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