Famous gay French painter ‘seals’ France - Armenia state friendship in the very heart of Yerevan

Continuing the topic of French-Armenian relations... This morning, presidents Sarkozy and Sargsyan participated in the unveiling ceremony of Rodin’s sculpture of Jules Bastien-Lepage. The statue was France’s gift to Armenia, and was appropriately placed in France square, the very heart of downtown Yerevan, that is, in front of Opera and Liberty sq.

*source of picture - Tert.am

Everyone knows Rodin. But I bet until today not many of you would have heard of French painter Jules Bastien-Lepage. Even less people, including participants of the ceremony, would be aware that this famous French painter was gay.

I have to say, this choice of gift from the French side was perhaps unintentional but considering the circumstances turned into hilarious twist to 'seal' Sarkozy’s Yerevan visit, and will forever be associated with a (prominent) display of friendship between two countries.

“This generous gift will symbolize the eternal and inviolable friendship between Armenia and France,” RA President said [...]

Mr. Sarkozy, in turn, thanked the Armenian community for its important role in his country’s life. “Long live Armenia, long live France, long live brotherhood!” he said. (source)

Jules Bastien-Lepage joined gay Armenian icons Parajanov, Charents & co as a must-see landmark for art loving locals and tourists, and could be added to an itinerary of gay travel agencies.

On surface, Yerevan is enhancing its reputation as a host of queer culture representation of world-wide importance.

Now, if only individuals and society manage to catch up...

Getting a massage in a bath house in Tbilisi, Georgia

"I'm stark naked and lying face down while a man in shorts attacks me in a manner that, under normal circumstances, I would regard as outright physical assault. But, just before I scream in pain, the masseur stops to dump a huge bucket of hot water over me on my marble slap. It's my first evening in Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, and I'm finding out how the local guys like to relax - in the beautiful tiled surroundings of one of the city's ancient bath houses, wreathed in the smell of sulphur from one of the hot springs beneath the city."

(Extract from Maxton Walker's report in The Guardian where he writes about the devastating impact of Russia-Georgia war on tourism in Georgia)

*photo - by Maxton Walker, via The Guardian

Thousands of Iranians celebrate Novruz in Armenia due to "liberties"

Thousands of Iranians choose to celebrate Novruz in Armenia. Referring to the Public Radio of Armenia, Huliq says that "close to 20,000 vacationers from neighboring Iran have traveled to Armenia to celebrate Novruz, the Iranian New Year in Armenia due to liberties, affordability and warm weather."

The young people from Iran travel to Armenia with large groups to be able to celebrate Novruz while they can attend Yerevan's numerous nightclubs and can drink in public. Whereas in Iran you can only drink inside your house and there is no such a thing as public drinking.

The reporter of the Armenia radio interviewed a young lady who is staying in front of Yerevan hotel saying "look I can have my beer here and don't have to carry a scarf, which is an obligation in Iran." [...]

"We went to night clubs, danced and were able to have good time with our friends. Yerevan is near to Iran, full of good people and provides good opportunities for fun and celebration," says 25 years old Amir from Iran while shopping in Yerevan and who thinks the traditions are too strict in his country Iran.

As the report pointed out further, "It is estimated that an average vacationer spends $1000 U.S. dollars in Armenia per week, which includes most of the expenses, including hotel and meal. Therefore, 20,000 Iranian tourists leaving $20 Million dollars in the Armenian economy is a good investment in the country of 3.5 million people."

As far as I know from various sources, for the same reasons many Azeris tend to spend their Novruz holiday in Georgia.

As posted on this blog, Iranian artists and gays seek freedom in Armenia too. This is VERY relative, of course, from a local Armenian perspectives, but pretty significant for Iranians.

Here is the morale of this story. Under current economic conditions, focus on tourism should become one of the priorities. And as this report suggests, more social liberties will attract more tourists, and subsequently more money to Armenian state budget and local businesses. Even if for practical reasons, it's time to think of pink pound (or euro/dollar, if you wish).