1. Statue of Komitas Vardapet - You should know him already: he was a priest, composer, singer, musicologist, and much more.
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2. Statue of Alexander Tamanyan - He designed the Yerevan city center in 1924, including numerous parks and beautiful buildings.
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3. Statue of David of Sasun (Sasundzi Davit) - Armenian folk hero who defended his people against Arab invaders. David embodies Armenians' love for freedom and their willingness to fight to preserve it.
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4. Statue of Yeghishe Charents - He was a prolific Armenian poet who met the most unfortunate fate: purged by Stalin.
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5. The Statue of Mesrop Mashtots - Monk, theologian, and linguist: credited with the creation of the Armenian alphabet. He also invented the Caucasian Albanian alphabet and, it seems, the Ethiopian alphabet, as well.
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6. The Hands Statue - Given to Armenia by its twin Italian city of Carrara. It represents friendship between the cities; Armenia responded back with a statue made of tuff.
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7. The Statue of Martiros Saryan - Saryan was one of Armenia's greatest artists, known mainly for painting landscapes and using bright colors.
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8. The Statue of Haik - Legendary patriarch and founder of the first Armenian nation.
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9. Statue of Sayat Nova (Harutyun Sayatyan) - Poet, singer, and musician. 220 songs can be attributed to Sayat Nova, but it is believe he had written many thousands altogether!
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10. Statue of Vartan Mamikonyan - One of the greatest military and spiritual leaders of ancient Armenia.
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11. The Statue of Mother Armenia - Overlooks Yerevan and symbolizes peace through strength, as well as the important status of older women in Armenian culture.
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Well, there you have it - one extra! The next time you're in Yerevan, you'll know what these terrific statues represent and immediately swoop-in for a photo op!
8 comments:
Thanks for the post. I would like to know the reaction of locals to the sculptures acquired by Cafesjian museum and placed in the city.
I'll answer that from what I know. The Cat at the foot of the Cascade has become a common place to be given to meet people, although I know at least one local here who doesn't like them.
It's a cultural thing, I suppose, as most Armenians tend to be proud of their own works of art and seem to want those to represent the capital. However, I personally have nothing against works of art from other nations or culture.
It makes life more interesting, I suppose, and opens up Armenia -- or Yerevan -- to the larger world out there. Any criticism perhaps says more about locals feeling their culture is under attack and under supported more than anything.
Probably, with some controversy raging over new buildings and statues erected to local design without the involvement of the local community, that's where the problem lies in terms of acceptance of anything foreign.
There needs to be a balance, and I'd say there isn't one. Resolve that, and there would be less criticism, and also, I believe, more of a mature model for the development of Yerevan. For sure, most cities pride themselves on their own cultural heritage.
Maybe it would be a good idea for both internal and external support for culture first favor the local rather than the foreign. However, that's just my personal opinion.
BTW: As for my favourite statue in Yerevan it has to Mother Armenia. From afar it admittedly looks typically Soviet and uninspiring, but up close she's magnificent.
Perhaps it's still the schoolboy love of a dominatrix, but I think it's a special statue indeed. Beautiful. Soviet, yes, but adorned with Armenian symbols if you take a look.
Much nicer than Mother Georgia, in my opinion.
Nice statues and merry Christmas!
I've yet to go back and see the cat, but from what people tell me, it's a mixed reaction, though favoring the positive.
Thanks for all the comments, guys! :)
I like the cat just fine. And, yes, people do seem to be using it as a meeting place.
However, the new sculpture by the Monument -- the "big toy boat on a table" -- is annoying. (Especially since it looks like something children should be able to play and climb on, but isn't.)
Here's a question. Does anyone know the significance of the sculpture of many hands in Victory Park? (If you've been to the park, you've seen it -- it's big, and sits at the central crossroads.)
cheers,
Doug M.
Where are the WOMEN's statues? And, no, Mother Armenia does not count.
'the Statue of Mesrop Mashtots - Monk, theologian, and linguist: credited with the creation of the Armenian alphabet. He also invented the Caucasian Albanian alphabet and, it seems, the Ethiopian alphabet, as well'
this is not true about ethiopian, it is more likely he copied the ethiopian alphabet because ethiopian alphabet evolved through a sabean alphabet which goes past a thousand years than the armenian alphabet
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