Foreigners know our country as Armenia or a place where Armenians live. But we actually call ourselves Hayer, and our country – Hayastan. Why is there this difference in the naming? What is the origin of the word “Armenia”? It’s not just a word but has a story behind it, and our identity is deeply […]
What does the word Armenia mean? Read More »
They say the human soul speaks in the language of music. If that’s the case I think the Armenian duduk is the perfect instrument for conveying the complex nuances of the human soul, and it has become a beloved symbol of Armenian culture and identity. No other instrument can express the Armenian fate, character, and
Armenian duduk history Read More »
Jumping over the fire may seem an odd and dangerous ritual to be practiced by the masses. But that’s exactly what Armenians do at some celebrations! This tradition goes back to history and has become a significant part of our cultural heritage. Why do we do that? I will get into some details with a
Why do Armenians jump over the fire? Read More »
Getting married is a big step and can be especially daunting if you are going to marry in a foreign country. You need to know the process or requirements in a different country. If this country is Armenia, this post is just for you! You might be a foreigner or a diaspora Armenian who is
Can foreigners get married in Armenia? Read More »
Today I am going to talk about an intriguing topic – the history of Zoroastrianism in Armenia. For those who have not heard about Zoroastrianism, let me say it is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded in Persia and spread far and wide, it had its influence on ancient Armenia. Stick
History of Zoroastrianism in Armenia: my take on this controversy Read More »
Mosques in Armenia, let’s learn more about these hidden gems of Islamic architecture together. Now, this topic is very touchy for us, Armenians. Some 200 years ago there were a dozen mosques here, but today we have only one operating mosque. And if you keep reading, you will learn what happened to the others. I’ll
Mosques in Armenia: exploring hidden gems of Islamic architecture Read More »
Armenia is surrounded by Muslim countries, so it’s pretty easy to get confused about the Armenian religion when looking at the map. Most often the main assumption is that Armenia is Muslim, too, but it’s not. It’s a little Christian country which has a long history of struggles to save its religion along with the
What is the Armenian religion & what does it believe in? Read More »
“Yerevan weather” is among the top search queries among people planning to visit Armenia. Well, if you’ve been one of them, you know that most search results are from forecast websites and don’t provide comprehensive information on what weather to expect in each season. That’s why I decided to fill the gap and write about
Yerevan weather: what you should know before visiting it Read More »
“Where to stay in Armenia?” is one of top 10 questions I’m asked all the time. I assume there is a serious information gap on this topic. Of course all travelers visiting Armenia research accommodation options when planning their trip. Unfortunately, the almighty internet covers this topic only at a superficial level, and all you
Where to stay in Armenia? Complete guide to accommodation options Read More »
Very often I’m asked if it’s possible to easily find good quality, delicious and healthy food in Yerevan. Luckily, you can skip any fuss around this and find healthy food choices anywhere in Yerevan, both in physical locations and on the web. My post is dedicated to healthy eaters, so if you’re one of them
Where to eat healthy food in Yerevan? Read More »
