EcoLur
Square of poetry in Yerevan is a new phenomenon. Its establishment should be dedicated to the International Festival of Poetry, which will be held in mid April. The initiator is the Chairman of Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan. He wants to set up a square in Mashtots Park, so as each participant of the festival planted a tree, to put a symbolic monument and to hold public performances of poets.
But how will Mashtots Park supporters react to this initiative? On 14 March a round table was held at EcoLur Press Club participated by Levon Ananyan, Director of “Zikatar” Ecological Forest Center Andranik Gulijanyan, activists David Stepanyan, Arthur Grigoryan, Tehmine Yenoqyan, Vahram Soghomonyan, Levon Galstyan and EcoLur working group. Below we present the video record of the round table:
Levon Ananyan: This is a topic for discussions, as this issue should be tabled before Municipality
Arthur Grigoryan: I would like to say about its name. Mashtots Park is a symbol of fight, and I oppose to its renaming into a square of poetry.
Levon Ananyan: I don’t know but this Park is called Mashtots, as it’s located on Mashtots Avenue. And I will say that Mashtots’s name is connected with many holy and significant places. But this comes from the heart: a nation, which upraises poetry, will have a square of poetry.
David Stepanyan: The territory already has its function: freedom of speech, protection of public property, a spot of liberty, where everybody can express their ideas. It already has its place in the history of Armenia. And if this territory should be renamed, it should be called Park of Freedom of Speech, but not Square of Poetry. Let this territory stay free, and you will hold its measures in this territory. I welcome it and will myself attend it. But if the other day knitters or potters want to protest, so what? They don’t have any right to make speeches there?
Inga Zarafyan, EcoLur: What does Square of Poetry mean, in your opinion? That is, nobody will make speeches there, except poets?
Levon Ananyan: It doesn’t matter where we will plant trees, it will be benefit for the city and for all. We don’t have any reason for the clash of interests between writers and knitters. Just this is a good reason for writers to plant trees and to speak about poetry, which is designed for all. This should form public taste, there will be young poets and I want this territory to serve all Yerevan residents.
Vahram Soghomonyan: We, Yerevan residents, have a problem to return all seized territories. I wonder why you, or maybe this idea belongs to Yerevan Municipality, chose this very park? This territory is liberates with the forces of citizens. My approach to this idea is very positive and I think it would be more correct, if this were an unoccupied territory. Our concerns are due to the fact that we didn’t hear anything but insults from the intellectuals involved at the Aldermen’s Council in Yerevan during our fight for Mashtots Park. And what about tree planting, they are planted and will continue growing. But there are places, which need greening. Even enemies wouldn’t treat so their town leaving these territories without water and care.
Arthur Grigoryan: For me it’s a principal issue for Mashtots Park to remain as such.
Levon Ananyan: Boulevard of Poetry in Mashtots Park? We want to fill new sense in this territory.
Arthur Grigoryan: I don’t oppose to a boulevard.
David Stepanyan: Especially, if it is constructed on the spot of a café.
Levon Ananyan: I want to submit this project to Narek Sargsyan (Chief Architect of Yerevan). The main thing here is your consent.
Tehmine Yenoqyan: I can’t speak on behalf of all Mashtots Park supporters. We will discuss your proposal in the group and inform you about our decision. But I personally oppose to it, as Mashtots Park has turned into a historical place. What about the decision, it should be discussed at the public hearings.
Levon Ananyan: This is a very active place, otherwise we could choose Ring Boulevard or something else.
March 18, 2013 at 15:00