Renewal, Reconstruction, Rebirth

What an exciting place! I can't believe how much has changed in Yerevan since 2001! People are in a hurry, busses, mini vans and taxis own the roads and the sidewalks are busy with people. It's amazing! Among all this excitement, there is so much construction going on all around Yerevan. It seems like something just about everywhere is being rebuilt or redone. I highly doubt this city will be recognizable in a few short years.

The first and most obvious reconstruction is Republic Square. It is completely ripped out.... no fountain, no road, no cars, just dust, tractors, and cranes! It is completely closed off to traffic and even the familiar yellow umbrellas of Hotel Armenia are no where in site.

Outside of my apartment and all down Tumanian St. the sidewalks are completely ripped out and being reconstructed, stone by stone. New curbs and new stones are being puzzled together, and the construction workers seem to be working at least 8 hour days!

Other places in the city are getting restyled and rebuilt as well. The Armenian Genocide Memorial is currently being updated and cleaned, and is scheduled to be complete in the fall....we visited on a Saturday morning, and it was actively being worked on!

This last weekend we traveled to Garni and also to Geghard. While at Garni, a very symbolic observation was pointed out. Garni, being the only pagan temple standing in Armenia, was not destroyed when Armenia accepted Christianity, becoming the first Christian nation. Instead of building a church on its ruins, a church was constructed next to the pagan temple. Some very long time ago, an earthquake crumbled both the temple and the church.

At some point, the pagan temple was restored and from my understanding, it was due to the fact that it was older, and more unique.... like another relic to our ancient past. However, the church's foundation resides untouched. I thought it was very symbolic the pagan temple was chosen because of its historical significance, and for some reason put before a church. Not that paganism was chosen over Christianity, but that the past was chosen before the present or future.

Weekends are for traveling, but weekdays are for working. During the week, I've been conducting research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They seem to be excited about the possibility of outside perspective on some of the various topics that concern Armenia, especially perspective coming from the Diaspora! It is encouraging and motivating to spend time here, knowing with all of this other construction going on, new ideas are being sought out and considered.

All around Yerevan, Armenia, and the Diaspora for that matter, historic statues, street names, churches and most aptly our historic pride and past prevails. Even our holidays manifest from legendary heroes that lived long ago. But, with all of this reconstruction and excitement in this city, I'm hopeful this essence and theme will transcend out of Yerevan to the entire country, and find its way to the Diaspora, creating a renewal and rebirth in a new way for Armenians everywhere.... by consciously looking to build the future, instead of only rebuilding the past.

Indeed, all of the things that are taking place in Armenia and the Diaspora significantly effect people's lives here. This is evident by all of the change that is taking place here, and shows this rebirth doesn't need to come form the inside out, but as it is, can take place from the outside in.

Hopefully, the church in Garni will be reconstructed next to the pagan temple. It will be an important and appropriate symbol for the reconstruction that is currently taking place here.... kind of like the past and the future can coexist.... and side by side at that.

I hope these pictures to the left showcase all the excitement here in Hayastan. I'll add more as I take them.... until next week.

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