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How to keep up with the Kardashians in Armenian capital Yerevan

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  • How to keep up with the Kardashians in Armenian capital Yerevan

    How to keep up with the Kardashians in Armenian capital Yerevan: Daily
    Mail - Photos

    18:58, 11 Apr 2015
    Siranush Ghazanchyan


    Armenia is a country in Eurasia's South Caucasus region famous for its
    mountainous landscapes and rich history ... but mainly, right now at
    least, for the fact Kim Kardashian and her posse are there, the Daily
    Mailwrites.

    Kim Kardashian, her husband Kanye West, their daughter North and Kim's
    sister Khloe arrived in the capital Yerevan on Wednesday to a rock
    star welcome and over eight days are checking out a plethora of local
    landmarks.

    The visit is their first to the country their late father, Robert
    Kardashian, fled for America and both Kim and Khloe have expressed
    their excitement at the chance to explore his homeland.

    Kim Kardashian is in Armenia with her husband Kanye West and their
    daughter North on an eight-day visit to the country of her dad's birth

    The celebrity visitors are in the capital Yerevan, a culturally rich
    city where the Opera House (centre) is among its most notable
    landmarks

    The Yerevan Opera House is a must-visit place in the Armenian capital
    where local music and dance performances are highly regarded

    Kim, Kanye and Khloe Kardashian are staying at the Armenia Marriott
    Hotel Yerevan which is on Republic Square, formerly Lenin Square

    Republic Square is a tourist attraction in itself, with its
    combination of Soviet-era architecture and Neo-Classical official
    buildings

    And from what Lonely Planet says of the city, it's made for the icons
    of modern-day entertainment.

    While there, the Kardashian-West crew are staying in the capital's
    finest digs, the Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan, which frames Republic
    Square at the heart of the city, and have the burliest of bodyguards
    and police in tow as they take in the sights.

    But what would we, the mere mortals not of reality TV fame, see and do
    if we followed in their footsteps?

    Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport is well connected to major
    centres throughout Europe although cheaper flights (upwards of £300
    during summer and less in colder months) from London require a
    transfer somewhere like Moscow, Kiev or Vienna.

    Without the need to book out the two executive floors of the hotel for
    our entourage and filming crew, as the Kardashian crew have, a
    standard room from 67,150 Armenian Drams is good value (about £96).

    A smartphone view of the Katoghiken church in the World
    Heritage-listed Geghard Monastery, where Kim, Kanye and North visited

    The monastery is a medieval set of structures which have in part been
    carved out of the mountain and date back to the fourth century

    Documenting every moment: Camera crews followed the family as they
    took a tour of historical sites

    Outside the Monastery of Geghard women sell the same traditional sweet
    bread that was offered to Kim on their arrival in Armenia

    The hotel is well chosen by their people as it's right in the middle
    of this relatively easy to get around city, where the majority of main
    sights are free.

    The square is a tourist attraction in itself, with its combination of
    Soviet-era architecture and Neo-Classical buildings such as the Houses
    of Government and the Marriott itself, but with their own Armenian
    twists.

    In the heart of the cultural and business hub of Yerevan, the square
    is connected to the other main area of the city that has the
    impressive Opera House at its centre.

    While Kanye's hip-hop may not be the preferred genre of the nation -
    fans appear to be more interested in the stars of Keeping Up with the
    Kardashians - the city isn't short on culture with a
    disproportionately large amount of theatres, galleries and clubs for
    its size, with plenty of live music to be found.

    Their minders say the timing has nothing to do with it, but the
    Kardashians' arrival comes as the nation counts down to the 100th
    anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24 which honours up 1.5
    million people were killed by the Ottomans between 1915 and 1917.

    Turkey dispute the figures - they claim 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians
    died during a civil uprising against the Ottomans - but Armenians have
    fought for international recognition of the tragedy for decades.

    But the memory of those whose lives were taken are very much honoured
    in this city and throughout the country.

    The Cascades is the main part of the Cafesjian Museum, found in the
    centre of Yerevan, which features an array of modern Armenian art

    Khachkars, an Armenian cross stone, are common features of medieval
    Christian art found in the Cascades

    The Sculture Park features works from Botero and other
    internationally-recognised artists and a stellar view of the city

    This statue at the Cascades represents Russian-born architect
    Alexander Tamanian, whose greatest work was planning modern Yerevan

    Among the major sights on the Kardashian's itinerary is Yerevan's
    extensive Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute along with the National
    Archives where they hope to see documents relating to their ancestors.

    The party has already visited Yerevan's Mother Armenia statue, a large
    representation of a women holding a big sword that is said to be the
    female personification of the country and proved quite an inspiration
    for the sisters.

    A visit to their father's home city of Gyumri would find a smaller
    version of the statue minus the collection of decommissioned tanks,
    rocket launchers and other military items.

    'The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength,' Khloe
    wrote on Instagram. 'It can remind viewers of some of the prominent
    female figures in Armenian history. Who took up arms to help their
    husbands in their clashes with Turkish troops and Kurdish irregulars.
    I am woman hear me roar! Blessed to be here!'

    Victory Park, home to the statue, also offers a brilliant view of the city

    Kim echoed the sentiment: 'This statue reminds visitors of the strong
    female figures in Armenian history. I love how powerful women are and
    respected so much in our culture!'

    The huge Mother Armenia statue (said to be the female personification
    of the nation) and military museum at Victory Park in Yerevan

    While there said to be more Armenians living abroad than in the
    country itself, due to millions who fled the alleged genocide, local
    culture has been diligently preserved.

    Their welcome to a packed airport included a traditional gift of bread
    and salt from women in traditional Armenian dress.

    Similar breads are found sold by locals at the Unesco World
    Heritage-listed Monastery of Geghard, a medieval set of structures
    which have in part been carved out of the mountain where where Kim and
    Kanye have taken North. The main chapel was built in 1215 but the
    complex originated in the fourth century and has a rich and varied
    history.

    Other sights include the 3,000-year-old Erebuni Fortress that was the
    beginning of Yerevan and the more modern Cascades, Sculpture Park and
    Cafesjian Museum, their modern art centre. Or romantics could visit
    Lover's Park, a Japanese-style garden which hosts open-air concerts
    and art exhibitions.

    While a minority are unimpressed with the celebrities' arrival most
    are delighted to see them, including the government. The group has met
    with the nation's prime minister Hovik Abrahamyan, who praised their
    contribution to 'international recognition and condemnation of the
    Armenian genocide.'

    Parliament speaker Galust Saakian said their visit can only be a good
    thing. 'Kim Kardashian is a lady who's known worldwide. We should be
    happy she came here,' he said.


    http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/04/11/how-to-keep-up-with-the-kardashians-in-armenian-capital-yerevan/

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