March 15, 2016

Armenian festivals 2016

During last few years Armenia has developed a strategy of outlining its cultural or traditional events and food peculiarities through festivals. Each year a new unique festival is added to the list of existing ones causing creativity and innovations. The interest among locals and foreigners toward festival is growing parallely with the speed of light. Below is the list of festivals to be held in Armenia in 2016.


February 7 - The 46th annual festival Lori's Winter will take place in Tezh Ler resort. The event will begin will begin at 11:00.



February 26-27 – «Snowland 2016», skiing festival held in Tsaghkadzor. Organised by Bliss Events.
544b8_tsakhkadzor
Skiing in Tsaghkadzor

March 27 - Easter Fest in Gyumri will take place in Hakob Mtsbna Church. It aims to spread the word about "St Easter" liturgical celebration and traditions among society. Sponsored By World Vision Armenia.

Easter Fesival, Gyumri

April – Fish Festival in Abovyan. Organized by the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO
Armenian Fish
Armenian Fish
May – Tolma Festival in Armavir, Sardarapat. The goal is to draw attention to Armenian dishes and traditional cuisine. Organized by the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO
Tolma Festival
Tolma Festival
June – Ecotourism Festival in Gomq and Martiros communities, Vayots Dzor Region. The aim of the festival is to promote eco-tourism development in Vayots Dzor and raise public awareness about it.
Eco Tourism Festival
Eco Tourism Festival
June 04 – sheep shearing festival in Halidzor village. Organized by IDeA Foundation.
Sheep Shearing Festival
Sheep Shearing Festival
June- “Bread in the Mountains” festival. The goal is to get to know the culture and history of baking bread and the rituals connected with the Armenian people. Organized by the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO
Armenian Bread
Armenian Bread
June – Mulberry Festival. 3rd Saturday of June, near the Amaras monastery in Artsakh. Beginning at 5:00 pm. Organized by Areni Foundation.
Mulberry
Mulberry
July – “Syunik’s Goods” festival in Goris. Will be held in the first Saturday of July (02.07.2016), starts at 1:00 pm. During the festival different communities present their products, traditional dishes. Organized by Areni Foundation.
Syunik's Goods
Syunik’s Goods


July -Will be held in the first week of July in Goris, Syunik Region. The aim is the introduction of mulberry vodka and tasting.

July – Armenian Taraz festival. Sarnaghbyur village. The participants will be introducing traditional clothes, costumes.

July- Golden Apricot International Film Festival held in Yerevan. Organized by Golden Apricot International Film Festival http://www.gaiff.am/hy/regulations:
Golden Apricot Festival
Golden Apricot Festival
August- Navasard festival. The aim is to celebrate the pagan New Year. Organized by the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO
Navasard Festival
Navasard Festival
August – Carpet Festival held Dilijan, Tavush region. Will take place in the second Saturday of August. The aim of the Festival is to exhibit and trade carpets and other works of folk artists.
Megerian Carpet
Megerian Carpet
August – Honey and Berry Festival held in Berd, Tavush region. The goal is to savor and sell various types of honey and berries, as well as drinks made of them.
Honey and Berry Festival
Honey and Berry Festival
September – Barbecue Festival held in Akhtala, Lori region. Organized by “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO
Barbecue Festival
Barbecue Festival
September – “Gata” festival held on the last Saturday of September in Khachik village, Vayots Dzor region. It will start at 12:00, (residents will present traditional dishes of national cuisine, you can taste the most toothsome gata, enjoy songs, folk dances). Organized by Areni Foundation.
Armenian Gata
Armenian Gata
September – “Wine” festival held in Rind village Vayots Dzor Region on the last week of September. It will start at 5:00 pm. Festival will illustrate traditional method of grape processing, homemade vodka tasting, folk songs, dances.
Grape Processing
Grape Processing

October – International Theater Festival held in Yerevan. Theater groups from different countries take active part in this annual festival. It has been organised for 7 times by now.

October – Wine Festival held in Areni village, Vayots Dzor. It will start at 1:00 pm. The aim of the festival is to introduce home-made wine, folk dances, songs, games, traditional methods of wine making, flashmob dance, wine production in the parade. Festival will last until 20:00. Organized by Areni Foundation.

October – Duduk Festival. Gyumri.
duduk_0
Armenian Duduk
October – Erebuni-Yerevan Festival. In 2016 Yerevan celebrates its 2798 anniversary.


Source: Natoura.am

March 14, 2016

Հունաստանի Վիզայի համար Դիմելու Մանրամասներ



Նախքան բուն նյութին անցնելը՝ ներկայացնում եմ վիզայի դիմումի օնլայն հղումը՝

https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/OnlineVAF-Greece/Account/RegisterUser

Ընկերներ ջան ուզում եմ կիսվել Հունական դեսպանատան օնլայն հարցաթեթի լրացման մանրամասներով: Ասեմ, որ մի երկու անգամ լրացնելուց հետո տրամաբանությունը հասկանալի է դառնում ու շուտ կոմնորոշվում ես: Այսօր զանգեցի վիզաների կենտրոն և վերջնական ամեն ինչ ճշտեցի և այսպես՝

1. Այսուհեւ բոլոր հարցաթերթրը ընդունվում են միայն օնլայն լրացված տարբերակով՝ ներում բեկում չկա:

2. Անչափահասների դեպքում հնարավորություն կա նշելու երկու խնամակալներին միանգամից /ինչը մնացած ոչ մի դեսպանատան օնլայն հացաթերթում զետեղված չի/: Լրացնողը ինքը կարող է ընտրել խնամակալների թիվը, մեկ կամ երկու և լրացնի տվյալները: Առաջին խնամակաը հայտնվում է հարցաթերթի հիմնական էջում 10- րդ կետում, երկրորդը Bar Code-ով էջին, որպես հավելյալ ինֆորմացիա: Եթե նշեք էլ մեկ խնամակալ, սխալ չի համարվում:

3. Անչափահասի դեպքում ով է հոգում ծախսերը բաժնում նշելով «ԱՅԼ» տարբերակը ազատ դաշտում կարող եք նշել «ծնողներ», բայց հենց սկսեք լրացնել արդեն ծախսերի բաժինը, կտեսնեք, որ տալիս է ընտրության միայն երկու հնարավորություն ծախսերը հոգում է «կազմակերպություն» «հրավիրող» և «ինքս»: դե բնականաբար անչափահասների դեպքում ինքս տարբերակը բազառվում է , ու հետևաբար ընտրում եք կազմակերպությունը:

4. Ահա հենց ծախսերի ծածկման դաշտում է հիմնական տարբերությունը մնացած բոլոր օնլայն ձևերից: Այստեղ չկա մի քանի տարբերակ միաժամանակ ընտրելու հնարավորություն: Դուք պետք է ընտրեք հիմնականը: Ասենք «ԿԱՆԽԻԿ», առաջ գնալով և լրացման ավարտին մոտենալով կբացվի հավելյալ նշումների համար նախատեսված պատուհանը ՈՐՏԵՂ ՇԱՏ ՑԱՆԿԱԼԻ Է, ԵԹԵ ՈՉ ՊԱՐՏԱԴԻՐ, ՆՇԵԼ ՄՆԱՑԱԾ ԾԱԽՍԵՐԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ ՏԵՂԵԿԱՏՎՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ԱՆԳԼԵՐԵՆ օրինակ /նախապես վճարված կացարան, կրեդիտ քարտ, կանխավճարված տրանսպորտ/: ԱՀԱ ԱՅՍ ԻՆՖՈՐՄԱՑԻԱՆ կարտացոլվի ոչ թե հարցաթերթի հիմնական 33րդ կետում, այլ բառ կոդի էջում, մի փոքր աղյուսակի մեջ, որը նախատեսված է կամայական հավելյալ տեղեկատվություն նշելու համար, և անչափախասների դեպքում կմիանա երկրորդ խնամակալի անուն ազգանունին և այլ կոնտակտային տվյալներին:

Օնլայնի թերությունը հիմնական նա է որ նախքան ավարտելը լրացնողը հնարավորություն չունի մի ինտերֆեյսով դիտել և ստուգել ինքն իրեն, ասենք Իսպանականի նման, ինչը շատ հարմար է, այլ անընդհատ հետ ու առաջ պետք է տա, դա էլ առավել հոգնեցնում ու շփոթեցնումէ: Մյուս թերությունը այն է, որ օնլայն հարցաթերթը համակարգում պահպանվում է 14 օր, և եթե դուք այն չեք հասցրել ժամանակին տպել, կամ կորցրել եք հղումը, ապա հետ ողորմյա չեք կարող անել՝ և եթե ժամկետը լրացել է պետք է նորից լրացնել: Թերևս այսքանը: Հուսամ փորձի փոխանակումը ոմանց համար օգտավետ կլինի, և եթե դժվարացողներ կլինեն ՝ գրեք  Vasco Da Gamma ֆեյսբուքյան էջին, սիրով կպատասխանեմ....

Տեղեկությունները Տաթեւիկ Հարությունյանից

March 13, 2016

Visa Requirements For Armenians



1EU (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)Schengen visa required
(Visa free transit up to 24 hours at all airports)
Note: For more information please consult The "SCHENGEN VISA" and EU-Armenia Visa facilitation agreement booklet
2AfghanistanVisa required
3AlbaniaVisa free
4AlgeriaVisa required
5Andorrano Andorra visa required
Note: a valid double-entry Schengen visa must be presented upon entry to Andorra to ensure possibility of return to Spain or France.
6AngolaVisa required
7Antigua and BarbudaVisa free for maximum 6 month stay
8ArgentinaVisa free for maximum 3 month stay
9AustraliaVisa required
10AzerbaijanEntry Banned
11BahamasVisa free for maximum 3 month stay
12BahrainVisa required
13Bangladesh30 day Visa issued upon arrival
14BarbadosVisa free for maximum 28 day stay
15BelarusVisa free
16Belize30 day Visa issued upon arrival
17Bhutan15 day Visa issued upon arrival
18Bolivia90 day Visa issued upon arrival
19Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa Required
Note: Can stay of up to 7 days provided that they hold a valid multiple entry Schengen or EU state visa or a pertinent residency permit in a Schengen or an EU state, and further provided that they are arriving to Bosnia and Herzegovina from a Schengen or an EU state
20BotswanaVisa required
21BrazilVisa required
22BruneiVisa required
23BulgariaVisa Required
Note: Can stay of up to 30 days provided that they hold a valid multiple entry Schengen or EU state visa
24Burkina FasoVisa issued upon arrival
25Burundi1 month visa issued upon arrival
26Cambodia1 month Visa issued upon arrival or online
27CanadaVisa required
28CameroonVisa issued upon arrival
29Cape VerdeVisa issued upon arrival
30Cayman IslandsVisa required
31Central African RepublicVisa required
32ChadVisa issued upon arrival
33Chile90 day Visa issued upon arrival
34ChinaVisa free for a max stay of 6 days if travelling with Chinese international tour. Prearranged 90 day visa may be obtained on arrival. Visa policy of the People’s Republic of China
35ComorosVisa issued upon arrival
36ColombiaVisa issued upon arrival
37CongoVisa required
38Costa RicaVisa required
39Cote d’IvoireVisa required
40CroatiaVisa required
41CubaVisa free for maximum 30 day stay
42CyprusVisa required
43Djibouti1 month visa issued upon arrival
44DominicaVisa free for maximum 21 day stay
45Dominican RepublicVisa required
46East Timor30 day visa issued upon arrival
47EcuadorVisa free for maximum 90 day stay
48EgyptVisa free for maximum 15day stay
49EthiopiaVisa issued upon arrival
50Faroe Islandsvisa required
Note: visa free for holders of valid Schengen Visa
51Gabonvisa required
52GambiaVisa issued upon arrival
53GeorgiaVisa free
54Gibraltarvisa required
Note: visa free for holders of valid UK Multiple entry visas issued for 12 months or more
55Ghanavisa required
56Guatemala90 day Visa issued upon arrival
57Guernseyvisa required
Note: visa free for holders of valid UK Visa
58Guinea-Bissau90 day Visa issued upon arrival
59Guyana30 days tourist card issued on arrival
Note: A letter of invitation from sponsor or host, the contact details of host or hotel and 2 photos should be provided
60HaitiVisa free for maximum 3 month stay
61Hondurasvisa required
62Hong-Kongvisa required
63Indiavisa required
64Indonesiavisa required
Note: Tourist card is provided upon arrival
65Iran21 days visa issued upon arrival
Note: refuse entry to the territory to holders of Armenian and other passports if they have an Israeli Visa or any record of entry to Israel in their passports, even if the holder has a preapproved respective visa.
66Iraqi KurdistanVisa issued upon arrival
67Isle of Manvisa required
Note: visa free for holders of valid UK Visa
68IsraelVisa required - visa issued upon arrival 
69JamaicaVisa issued upon arrival
70Japanvisa required
71Jerseyvisa required
Note: visa free for holders of valid UK Visa
72Jordan1 month visa issued upon arrival 
73KazakhstanVisa free for maximum 90 day stay
74Kenyavisa required
Note: Including US GreenCard holders
75Kuwaitvisa required
76KyrgyzstanVisa free
77Laos30 day visa issued upon arrival
78LebanonVisa free for maximum 1 month stay
Note: refuse entry to the territory to holders of Armenian and other passports if they have an Israeli Visa or any record of entry to Israel in their passports, even if the holder has a preapproved respective visa.
79LibyaVisa required
Note: refuse entry to the territory to holders of Armenian and other passports if they have an Israeli Visa or any record of entry to Israel in their passports, even if the holder has a preapproved respective visa.
80Macau30 day visa issued upon arrival
81MacedoniaVisa required
Note: exception is for A max. stay of 15 days, totaling 90 days within a six month period, for holders of a "C" visa issued by a Schengen Member State.

 - Visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the period of intended stay in Macedonia (FYROM) and must be valid to (re-)enter the Schengen Area For details, click here. It must also be valid for all Schengen Member States. Entry into Macedonia (FYROM) does not affect the validity of the visa. Used single entry Schengen visas are not included.
82Madagascar90 day Visa issued upon arrival
83MalaysiaVisa free for maximum 30 day stay
84MaldivesVisa free for maximum 90 day stay
85MaliVisa issued upon arrival
86Mauritius60 day Visa issued upon arrival
87MexicoVisa required
Note: Exception is for A max. stay of 180 days for holders of a valid visa issued by the USA
88MoldovaVisa free for  a stay of maximum 90 days
Note: visa required
89Monacovisa required
Note: Entry only through France; visa free for holders of valid Schengen Visa
90MongoliaVisa issued upon arrival
91MontenegroVisa required
Note: Exception is for A max of 7 days transit with valid multiple entry Schengen visa 
92MontserratMultiple entry eVisa valid for 1 year can be obtained online
93Morocco90 day visa issued upon arrival
94Mozambique30 day Visa issued upon arrival
95MyanmarVisa issued upon arrival
Note: Consulthttp://www.mip.gov.mm/announcements-in-english/
96NamibiaVisa free for maximum 3 month stay
97Nepal90 day visa issued upon arrival
98Nicaragua90 day Visa issued upon arrival
99NigeriaVisa issued upon arrival ONLY for holders of e-visa receipt and an invitation letter
100New Zealandvisa required
101Omanvisa required
102PanamaVisa free for maximum 180 day stay
103Papua New GuineaVisa required
Note: application  should be sent to the PNG High Commission in Canberra or the PNG Consulate General in Brisbane together with the valid passport and provide a self-addressed pre-paid Express Post envelope for the return of passport to you
104Paraguayvisa required
105Peruvisa required
106Philippinesvisa required
107Puerto RicoUSA visa required
108Qatarvisa required
109Romaniavisa required
110RussiaVisa-free access
Note: Starting from 2014 January new law for labour migrants into force
111RwandaVisa can be requested online through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
112Saint Kitts and NevisElectronic visa can be obtained through the Government website
113Saint Luciavisa required
114Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVisa free for maximum 1 month stay
115San Marinovisa required
Note: Entry only through Italy; visa free for holders of valid Schengen Visa
116São Tomé and PríncipeVisa can be requested online through theMigration Service
117Saudi Arabiavisa required
Note: Women under 30years old should be accompanied by her husband or brother.
118Senegalvisa required
119Serbiavisa required
120Seychelles3 month Visa issued upon arrival
121Sierra Leonevisa required
122SingaporeVisa free for 96 hours in case of transit. Armenian nationals may apply for e-visa
123South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK)Visas are not required, but you must apply to the Commissioner for permission to land on the Islands before you travel
124South AfricaVisa required
125South KoreaVisa required
126South OssetiaVisa free
Note: visa requirements for entry to Russian Federation are applied
127Sri LankaVisa free for maximum 30 day stay
128SudanVisa required
129Suriname2 month Visa issued upon arrival
130SyriaRefuse entry to the territory to holders of Armenian and other passports if they have an Israeli Visa or any record of entry to Israel in their passports, even if the holder has a preapproved respective visa.
131TajikistanVisa free
132Tanzania3 month Visa issued upon arrival
133TaiwanVisa required
134ThailandVisa required
135Timor-LesteVisa issued upon arrival or can be obtained beforehand
136Togo7 day Visa issued upon arrival
137Trinidad and TobagoVisa required
138Turkey30 day visa issued upon arrival
139TunisiaVisa required
140TurkmenistanVisa required
141Uganda3 month Visa issued upon arrival
142UkraineVisa free
143United Arab EmiratesE-visas for Dubai (DXB) can be applied for, prior to departure online at https://www.ednrd.ae
144United States of AmericaVisa required
145UKVisa required
146UruguayVisa required
147UzbekistanVisa free
148VietnamMax 90 day Visa applied for online and stamped on arrival
149VenezuelaVisa required
150Virgin IslandsVisa required
151YemenVisa required
Note: Refuse entry to the territory to holders of Armenian and other passports if they have an Israeli Visa or any record of entry to Israel in their passports, even if the holder has a preapproved respective visa.
152ZambiaVisa required
153
Zimbabwe
Visa required

ATTENTION! All the information is subject to change, therefore it is always recommended to contact the respective authorities before arranging the travel

March 4, 2016

Yerevan in a Day

First time in Armenia? Wish to explore the city and don’t know where to start? Here is your cheat sheet!

Grigor Lusavorich church

You can start your tour from Grigor Lusavorich church, which is located in Yervand Kochar street.

The church was built by Catholicos Vazgen the First’s initiative and was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity as a state religion. Catholicos has personally put a plaque at the site of construction of the cathedral.
The monastery consists of three churches. In front of the entrance of the church you will see the belfry and vestibule with more than 30 arches. Vestibule houses the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which Garegin II brought from St. Gregory Armenian church of Naples. The halls for receptions and church-related activities are in the lower floor of the church. It is the biggest among the churches of Armenia having approximately 3,822 square meter complex area, and the highest point of the cathedral cross the floor is 54 meters high.
The opening ceremony of the church took place in 2001.



Grigor Lusavorich Church

Down the church toward Tigran Mets street there is a small entertainment park and the statue of Zoravar Andranik. As your route passes through the park you may want to have a quick look around and shot few nice photos on this marvelous background.

Statue of Zoravar Andranik

Continuing your route through Tigran Mets you will enter Republic Square in 5-7 minutes.
Republic Square


Republic Square

Main project of the Square was created by the architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924, constructed in 1926-1958, and from 1940 to 1990 was called Lenin Square.

The Square is imposed by 5 magnificent buildings. Those are the Government Building, Ministery of Trade and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia Marriott hotel and the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia.
Behind the fountain stands the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia. Facade and colonnade show off with their symmetry. The first floor was built by Tamanyan and includes the History Museum of Armenia. The collection of prehistoric and Asia Minor artifacts gathered under this roof can be classified as the best in the world. The upper floors of the building were constructed in later period.
This is how the Square looks.


Republic Square

You might want to come back in the evening to enjoy the beautiful songs and erratic fountain jumps along with locals and tourists from all over the world.


Singing Fountains

Vernisaj

Are you one of those who grab a souvenir in every country visited? If yes, then this is the high time!
Turn right on the corner of the building with clock in the facade and in 3 minutes you will see the market where you will find all Armenian style, handmade or other creative gifts, decors with flexible prices and for any taste.
After you get your memento from Armenia, turn back and walk toward Republic square untill you get to Abovyan street. Rising up through Abovyan you will enter Northern avenue in 3 minutes.


Northern avenue

Northern Avenue is a 500 meter street in downtown Yerevan. It links the Opera House and the Republic Square. Avenue includes apartments, restaurants, shops and offices. The main architect of the Northern Avenue was Alexander Tamanyan. Later it was redrafted by the architect Jim Torosyan.
Even from the other side of the Avenue you will notice the grave building of Opera house, where you are heading to.



Northern Avenue

Opera house

The Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan was founded in 1933. The chief architect was again Alexander Tamanyan. It consists of two concert halls: the Aram Khatchaturian concert hall with 1,400 seats and the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Theatre with 1,200 seats. The first performance was “Almast” opera by Alexander Spendiaryan, which premiered on January 20, 1933. Since it was opened, the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre has performed more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and Western European composers. The theatre was represented in more than 20 countries.


After having a look to this excellent conformation, you can turn righ and face to a small spiffy lake in the heart of Yerevan.
Swan Lake

Peaceful place, lot of youth and many colors. This is what makes this place so unique in the city hassle. It is also the place where Kyne West performed his amazing show while being in Armenia.


On the other side of the lake you will find the statue of famous Armenian composer and pianist Arno Babajanyan.

Arno Babajanyan

Bypassing the opera house either from left or right you will get to the French Square.

French Square

Turning left and crossing the street you will find yourself in front of the Cascade. First thing you will see in Cascade is the statue of Alexander Tamanyan.

Alexander Tamanyan

Cascade

The Cascade is a giant stairway in Yerevan. It links the downtown Kentron area of Yerevan with the Monument neighborhood. The construction of the cascade designed by architects Jim Torosyan, Aslan Mkhitaryan, Sargis Gurzadyan was launched in 1971 and completed in 1980. On the first floor of the stairs indide the building you can find Cafesjian Museum of Art. You may rise up the stairs or use the elevator inside to get to the top. In case you use the elevator, come out in each floor to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the design and have the magnificent view of the city.



Cascade

Mother Armenia

Perhaps you noticed a statue in the distance while you were in French Square. It was mother Armenia – a female personification of Armenia in a visual rendering of a monumental statue. In the end of cascade stairs you will find another entertainment park on the end of which you will see the statue proudly looking at the city.
The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength. Its location on a hill overlooking Yerevan makes it look like a guardian of the Armenian capital. Mother statue is there since spring 1962, replacing the statue of Stalin. The statue is designed by Ara Harutyunyan.



Mother Armenia

Tired and impressed by what you have seen during your city trip? You are lucky to be on the right place. There is a small cozy cafe called EL Garden on the park. You can enjoy your evening meal there and if you still have the energy to go on with the trip, you can take the random taxi and return back to Republic Square to enjoy Arno Babajanyan’s music and the daft dance of fountains. Taxi will cost you no more than 3 usd.

Source: http://natoura.am/2016/02/26/walking-route-in-yerevan/