I have to say, gay-themed articles in Armenian online media became somehow repetitive and predictable. Even headings and accompanying pictures look the same.
The main interesting part from the ArmeniaNow report, which I have been hearing from other sources too, is the following (re gay sex workers):
Homosexuals, however, say that there is little progress. Under the pressure of NGOs, the Children’s Park has been lightened recently; some police officers are patrolling there every day, preventing attacks of different groups against homosexuals.
“Now when such group attacks are registered, the police interfere, defending us. Of course they [attackers] do not eventually face a punishment, but, at least, they understand that we are also people and we also have rights,” Petros says.
Official opening will be on 17 October. It’s a former Pushkin park on Baghramyan Avenue, in downtown Yerevan. (For details of the fascinating history of Lovers’ park, click here)
*The Boghossian Foundation is headed by Jean Boghossian, based in Belgium and Albert Boghossian, based in Switzerland. For numerous years the Foundation has carried out large scale works both in Armenia (especially in the Shirak region) and Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2000 the Boghossian family established the annual “President of the Republic of Armenia Prize” aimed at encouraging the best specialists from different fields.
“This is not merely a reconstruction initiative; it is a renovation project which also insures the sustainable maintenance of the park.” (press release)
“Remodelling and construction works are being carried out on a large scale at the park. The entire area of the park is 1.6 hectares; 1.05 hectares of which will be covered in lawns. Seating in the park includes 300 meters of benching. The park will have two waterfalls, a lake, an amphitheatre with its more than 200 seats, a small open air café, sand paths for those who enjoy exercising and shaded pavilions for table games.”
There is also a promise of high quality sound system in the park. “The park is directly connected with the arts; starting with the stone compositions decorating every corner of the park and ending with the anticipated music festivals. The amphitheatre of the park will host musicians, who will deliver high-quality music to visitors.”
Not unimportant to notice that the park has free public toilets, with disabled access. Another important promise, which let’s hope will get materialised, is that this small cafe will remain the only such venue there, no other restaurants or cafes will be allowed, so that unlike other Yerevan parks this will remain truly a park.
Btw, we already have the first newlyweds of the Lovers’ park. “On October 4, a young newlywed couple asked permission to conduct their wedding photo session in the Park. The administration of the park invited them in. The staff congratulated the newlyweds on their wedding and also for being the first couple to take pictures of their memorable day in Lovers’ Park.”
I wonder, would this new park be an all-inclusive lovers’ park, or the definition of “love” will have its exclusion criteria?
Below is one of the past Public TV reports (in Armenian) on reconstruction works and facilities of the Lovers’ park (quality of the video clip uploaded on YouTube is poor).
Sorry to anyone who does not know Armenian. This is just impossible to translate. However, if you know Armenian and Armenian realities, you may find this short video clip of “32 Atam” comedy club in Yerevan simply hilarious. So typical. Good, too good to miss. Thanks to H.V. for the link to this video. As he says, “…this is how it all happens!” Enjoy! :)
Via Reporter-arm, these hilarious announcements which recently appeared in one of Yerevan central parks - English park. You have to know Armenian to get fully the hilariousness of these announcements (with accompanied spelling error). I am not even sure that I translated right the word "sirabanutyun" (something like "love making"). But you got the idea :) They call it "sirabanutyun". What they really mean is... cruising which this park is known for. (I doubt there is direct Armenian equivalent of "cruising"?)
“The real violence… the violence that I realised was unforgivable is the violence that we do to ourselves, when we are too afraid to be who we really are.” #Sense8
Մարտիրոս Սարյան: "Իմ կարծիքով, մեզ՝ որպես արևելյան ժողովրդի, չափազանց կպատշաճեր բազմագույն դրոշը, որն ի հայտ է բերում ինքը` չքնաղ և հավերժ գեղեցիկ ծիածանը:"(source)
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