Dark and light shades of Armenia

A bleak start visiting the Armenian Genocide Centre. This early 20th-century atrocity occurred when the Muslim Turks decided to eliminate all the Armenian Christians and to take their lands. Many countries knew about this policy, but due to the national complexities leading to the First World War they chose to ignore it. Thus, Hitler decided he could follow suit with the Jews, stating on the 22nd August 1939 “… who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
The Genocide Centre provides a harrowing record of the million Armenians who were tortured, killed or displaced. The Centre also documents the many other global genocides, along with their triggers. Sadly, we don’t learn as evidenced by the Gaza Strip and South Sudan.

Depressing reading the tragic stories, but we were then uplifted by the amazing Yerevan Cascade which consists of five hillside terraces connected with 572 steps, waterfalls and gardens joining the upper and lower parts of the city. This town planning concept first proposed by 1920s architect Alexander Tamanyan but not started until 1970. The final work includes extensive staircases, courtyards and internal escalators. The building itself houses the Cafesjian Museum of Art, where permanent and temporary exhibitions are held
A wonderful café area with lovely gardens, sculptures, fountains and our icecream stop.Read more