The photographers had complete freedom in selecting their subjects and locations, ensuring a diverse and artistic representation of the park.
Well, let’s start.
We are excited to introduce the first photographer, whose photos we present to your attention, Areg Balayan, known for his popular “blojiks” series frequently seen around Yerevan.
Rafo
In our family, we referred to the architect Rafael Israelyan this way because he was my grandmother’s uncle. His home was one of the few places we frequently visited with my grandparents during those dark and cold years. Rafo is the author of the drinking fountain.
Fountains
A vibrant and occasionally splashy spot where I can “reconnect” with my childhood friends, Grandma, and myself, all seemingly submerged in deep water.
“Chinning Bars”
Our house was in the yard in front of the “Chess House,” within the “Kamendatura” building. The moment the summer vacation started, we were rarely found in the yard anymore. We would all rush to the park and stay out until late in the evening, returning home against our will. This is the only “chinning bar” that remains from those days, and next to it was the outdoor “Skiff” swimming pool.
Artash
I have a small contribution to the creation of Armen Tigranyan’s statue. My grandmother and I would occasionally bring food to Artashes Hovsepyan (the sculptor) during his breaks. He was the husband of my grandmother’s sister and the son-in-law of Rafo.
Shoemaker’s Knife
I once found a large shoemaker’s knife on the steps of our porch. I carried it to my classes in my bag of notes (the building in the background was my music school). This tree, along with its neighbouring ones, was situated close to the tram stop, where we often spent a long time waiting during those years. The trees became the target of my knife practice. I became quite skilled with it, a skill that later proved useful during my army years.
“Everest”
This sculpture was one of the first “mountains” I conquered, likely when I was around two years old. Back then, it seemed towering and challenging. As I grew older, I realized it wasn’t so high after all. Then, years later, after taking this photo, I discovered that only the base of the sculpture remains. The upper part had been torn off, likely taken as valuable metal.
