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COSTLY TRADITION?: SOCIOLOGIST CALLS FOR MORE MODEST NEW YEAR FEASTS AMID RISING PRICES
NEWS | 16.12.14 | 14:45
http://armenianow.com/news/59399/armenia_new_year_tradition_feast_prices_aharon_adi bekyan
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Compared to previous years, this year ahead of the New Year holiday
season prices in the Armenian market have taken a sharp rise,
specialists say, linking it to the dram and ruble devaluation, as
well as the dollar's significant appreciation in the world market.
Today at currency exchange offices one American dollar was sold for
550 AMD, whereas still in mid-November it was at around 410-415 AMD.
Because Armenia is a mostly importing country, according to
specialists, such a decline of the national currency results in the
increase of the cost of imported goods. Some local goods get more
expensive too because in many cases local production is based on
imported raw materials.
Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan thinks that the society has to come out of
the old standards of New Year celebrations and make less preparations
this time.
"There is no point in taking a loan and paying back that sum during
the whole year," the sociologist told reporters on Tuesday, urging
people to lay the New Year's table within their possibilities.
According to Adibekyan, $200 is enough for one family to organize a
modest and 'happy' New Year, and last year the calculations were in
the range of $50-$60.
"Most of the New Year standards are not originally Armenian, the New
Year tree came from Russia, Armenia did not have fir trees, the turkey
came from America. And if Armenians are traditional in the best case
scenario there must khashlama, gata, pakhlava, wine and desserts on
their tables," Adibekyan said.
Chairman of the Consumers Association of Armenia Armen Poghosyan does
not share the opinion that the New Year celebration is out of Armenian
traditions and that Armenians have to get out of the standards.
"Our strength is in our traditions, and the New Year is one of the best
traditions handed down from generation to generation," he concluded.
From: A. Papazian
NEWS | 16.12.14 | 14:45
http://armenianow.com/news/59399/armenia_new_year_tradition_feast_prices_aharon_adi bekyan
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Compared to previous years, this year ahead of the New Year holiday
season prices in the Armenian market have taken a sharp rise,
specialists say, linking it to the dram and ruble devaluation, as
well as the dollar's significant appreciation in the world market.
Today at currency exchange offices one American dollar was sold for
550 AMD, whereas still in mid-November it was at around 410-415 AMD.
Because Armenia is a mostly importing country, according to
specialists, such a decline of the national currency results in the
increase of the cost of imported goods. Some local goods get more
expensive too because in many cases local production is based on
imported raw materials.
Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan thinks that the society has to come out of
the old standards of New Year celebrations and make less preparations
this time.
"There is no point in taking a loan and paying back that sum during
the whole year," the sociologist told reporters on Tuesday, urging
people to lay the New Year's table within their possibilities.
According to Adibekyan, $200 is enough for one family to organize a
modest and 'happy' New Year, and last year the calculations were in
the range of $50-$60.
"Most of the New Year standards are not originally Armenian, the New
Year tree came from Russia, Armenia did not have fir trees, the turkey
came from America. And if Armenians are traditional in the best case
scenario there must khashlama, gata, pakhlava, wine and desserts on
their tables," Adibekyan said.
Chairman of the Consumers Association of Armenia Armen Poghosyan does
not share the opinion that the New Year celebration is out of Armenian
traditions and that Armenians have to get out of the standards.
"Our strength is in our traditions, and the New Year is one of the best
traditions handed down from generation to generation," he concluded.
From: A. Papazian