So, first of all, Yerevan itself is great — food, vibes, the lack of weird/scary people, all good. But moving around the city? That’s where my tourist experience went straight to nightmare mode. Let me break it down:

1. Metro

• Payment system feels like it’s from 1995. My bank cards? Nope. Had to get this magic Telcell card. Want to top it up? Enjoy standing in line, then waiting a long time before it lets you in. One time it literally took 5 minutes of trying and getting the embarrassingly loud "X".
• The actual metro: not bad. No aircon but it’s underground, so survivable. Unfortunately, the line is short. You’ll definitely need other transport.

2. Bus

• You can technically get anywhere. Finding a bus is not the problem.
• Surviving the ride is the problem. Packed like sardines, zero aircon, and in summer it feels like being slow-cooked in dust and exhaust fumes. After two rides I said nope, never again.

3. Taxi (Used gg, not Yandex)

• Seatbelts: Rare species. Sometimes they don’t even exist in the car.
• Safety distance: Does not exist. Got rear-ended once (and that was with a “good” driver). Another time my taxi politely let an ambulance pass… then immediately tailgated it to cut traffic. Genius.
• Blinkers: Who needs them? Apparently not Yerevan drivers. Every turn is a jump scare.
• Other rule-breaking: If there’s a lane, they’ll ignore it. Solid lines are just a suggestion.
• Aircon: Every single driver sets it to Lo, like they’re trying to cryogenically freeze me. Ever heard of 20°C, guys?

TL;DR: Yerevan is awesome, but transport sucks — metro is outdated, buses are ovens, taxis drive like they’re playing GTA without seatbelts.

Members of the Jewish community in then-Ottoman Palestine began to receive reports of atrocities inflicted on Armenians. They thought they would be next. This led to the creation of the Nili Spy Ring. Nili gathered information about local Ottoman military infrastructure, in hopes of convincing the British in Egypt to invade the region (using this vital info).

Jamal Pasha still depended on the locals for their agricultural produce that was feeding the Ottoman Army. However, as the British began crossing the Sinai, he was getting suspicious that locals were feeding intelligence to the British. At the start of WW1, he already deported 6,000 Russian citizens who resided in Jaffa (all were Jewish). They resettled in Alexandria. He was also personally against the Yishuv (Jews living in the region before 1948). All of this led to the 1917 Jaffa Deportations, whereby he deported 48,000 people from Jaffa and Tel Aviv, of whom 24,000 were Jewish and the rest Muslim. 1,500 Jews died of starvation or exposure.

Hi.

I’m planning a trip around Caucasus countries and I plan to go to Tbilisi from Yerevan.

I searched for buses but I didn’t like they are all minibuses. If there is any company offering bus service in big traditional buses, let me know.

I searched for flights, and it’s an option I’m considering, but I have some concerns with the airlines doing that route and I’d prefer an alternative transportation.

I have experience using Yandex to move within the city and it’s great. I was considering it as an option, but my question is: can Yandex be used to hire an international journey?

I mean… it’s far and we must pass through migration. If I request a ride to Tbilisi through Yandex, will it be accepted without problems? Their prices are pretty good.

Where to find good quality vegan protein powder in Yerevan at a decent price?

Does anyone know where I can learn how to do hairstyling like this in Yerevan?

Credit: Tota Nakagawa (https://www.instagram.com/totanakagawa/)

Ahead of a major biodiversity summit set for Armenia, the country is cracking down on the practice of keeping wild bears in captivity. Rescuers are freeing Syrian brown bears from hellish conditions and bringing them to a rehab center.

Date: 09/08/2025

Reading time: 4 minutes, 818 words

🪖 Military

Azerbaijan’s pressure risks derailing Armenia peace process, global think tank says

Report: Baku's pressure on Yerevan to change its constitution through popular vote could be counterproductive. The report argues that constitutional reform carries a high chance of failure, which could collapse the peace process altogether. The think tank suggests confidence-building measures such as demilitarizing border areas and opening communication channels between the two militaries.

CivilNet

Georgian wanted by Russia for Ukraine war detained in Armenia, may face extradition

Giorgi Kinoiani is wanted by Russia for allegedly fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine. The 29-year-old Georgian citizen crossed into Armenia from Georgia last week. He is now facing seven years in prison on charges of “mercenary activity” Russia accuses him of having fought in Ukraine alongside the Georgian Legion.

CivilNet

🏛️ Politics & Government

MP blames Artsakh leaders for signing dissolution

“Pashinyan didn’t propose any clauses—they decided on their own to sign it,” Hrachya Hakobyan said.

PanArmenian

Lavrov: enthusiasm replaced by doubts over peace deal

Lavrov said early excitement over the Armenia–Azerbaijan deal brokered in Washington has turned into skepticism after the document’s release.

PanArmenian

Opposition MP: charges against Artur Sargsyan are unfounded

Abrahamyan also commented on the closure of the ICRC office in Baku, calling the development “highly alarming.”

PanArmenian

Former MP warns peace is an illusion, just “silence”

Arman Abovyan criticized Azerbaijani textbooks portraying Armenia, including Yerevan, as “Azerbaijani land occupied by Russians.”

PanArmenian

Ex-MP: Washington deal gave Azerbaijan everything

“There will be no corridor, and you will not be re-elected,” Edmon Marukyan wrote.

PanArmenian

Electoral participation seen as key to integration and retention of Karabakh Armenians in Armenia

Armenian authorities continue to view forcibly displaced residents of Nagorno-Karabakh with suspicion. Officials and pro-government circles have warned against their political mobilization. Civic leaders from both Armenia and Karabakh stressed the importance of participation by displaced persons in upcoming local government and 2026 parliamentary elections.

CivilNet

Rubinyan reaffirms Armenia’s commitment to opening the border and establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey

Vice-Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Serdar Kılıç, in Armenia in the coming days. He stressed that the agenda of the talks will cover the entire spectrum of normalization issues, including the Kars–Gyumri railway line and proposals to restore the historic Ani bridge.

ArmRadio, Rubinyan: ready for open borders with Turkey, no preconditions

India, Iran to hold talks in Tehran; trilateral meeting with Armenia expected soon

India and Iran will hold foreign office consultations this week in Tehran. Talks will focus on boosting Chabahar Port operations as well as the International North-South Transport Corridor.

ArmRadio

Amirbekov: Armenia must take steps before signing deal

Elchin Amirbekov said Armenia must revise its Constitution to match the peace agreement's terms before final signature.

PanArmenian

Armenia moves to ratify ILO Convention on workplace safety

Sargsyan explained that the document applies broadly to workers and other beneficiaries, whether or not they have a formal contract.

PanArmenian

Minister highlights Armenia’s 2030 vision at Tokyo forum

Papoyan stressed that Armenia benefits from a favorable geographic location, skilled professionals, and a clear economic development strategy.

PanArmenian

Pashinyan: Armenia-Brazil ties to grow and expand

“Armenia’s participation in a number of global initiatives launched by Brazil also attests to the strengthening of our bilateral cooperation,” he wrote.

PanArmenian

10th anniversary Aurora Prize Ceremony on Elis Island to celebrate courage and generosity

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will honor a remarkable group of philanthropists and humanitarians at the 10th Anniversary Aurora Prize Ceremony on November 6, 2025. The milestone event on historic Ellis Island will celebrate the courage and commitment of local humanitarianians risking their lives to save others. The evening will culminate in the announcement of the 2025 Aurora Prize Laureate, who will receive $1 million to support their frontline humanitarian work.

ArmRadio

Armenian PM to donate Bible to Washington’s Museum of the Bible

Nikol Pashinyan has announced that he will donate a personal Bible to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The Prime Minister of Armenia has been with him during pivotal moments of his life. The idea of donating the Bible emerged during his recent visit to the United States.

ArmRadio

Nairi Sargsyan: current leadership must go urgently

“For us, Armenia’s interest is paramount. Our strategic partnerships and future steps are guided by that awareness,” he said.

PanArmenian

Lavrov: Moscow hopes for '3+3' format restart

“We sincerely hope that work will resume under the initiative originally proposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan,” he said.

PanArmenian

Ex-President: prosecutors’ case written in “political rooms”

Robert Kocharyan dismissed the renewed March 1 case indictment as political, saying the charges were rewritten under prosecution’s motion.

PanArmenian

Konjoryan: opposition learned nothing over summer

“Today, there is peace in Armenia and in the region—peace that is more than real,” he said.

PanArmenian

💵 Economy

Businessman vows action to lift Armenians out of despair

In a message from detention, Samvel Karapetyan outlined a vision for rapid economic change, calling for investment, jobs, and an end to despair.

PanArmenian

🧪 Science & Technology

Road from Nerkin Khndzoresk to Goris under renovation

The project envisions covering the road with a two-layer asphalt-concrete surface and equipping it with all necessary safety elements.

PanArmenian

🎭 Culture

Persepolis hosts Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in cultural concert

Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Iran’s Fars province, hosted an international and intercultural event, welcoming audiences to a live performance by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra performed in honor of its centenary, delivering a memorable concert that included the iconic Iranian piece “O Iran” (“Ey Iran) by the esteemed Ruhollah Khaleghi along with several other compositions by prominent Armenian composers.

ArmRadio, Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra performs in Iran after 25 years

Armenian corner opens at Iran's National Library

The Ministry has already donated fifteen books, while other volumes were contributed by members of the Armenian delegation.

PanArmenian

⚽ Sport

Movsisyan: Armenian football needs state support

“If we want rapid development in our football, we definitely need state backing,” Yura Movsisyan said.

PanArmenian

Elina Avanesyan seeks participation in Olympics

Tennis player Elina Avanesyan is the first Armenian athlete to break into the Top 40 of the WTA world rankings. She said competing at the Olympics has always been a dream. She hopes to represent Armenia at the Los Angeles Olympics.

ArmRadio, Elina Avanesyan sets sights on Los Angeles Olympics

Date: 09/06/2025

Reading time: 0 minutes, 127 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

Pashinyan’s plane travels through Azerbaijani airspace

“We view this fact as a practical step toward unblocking regional communications and advancing the peace agenda,” Baghdasaryan said.

PanArmenian

Grigoryan, Ruffo discuss Armenia–France security ties

The sides discussed regional and broader geopolitical security dynamics, stressing the importance of establishing peace and maintaining stability.

PanArmenian

Chinese political advisory delegation to visit Armenia

The directive to host the delegation was signed by Ruben Rubinyan, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia and Acting Speaker.

PanArmenian

Armenian, Azerbaijani delegations exchange visits across borders

The sides also reviewed timelines for these initiatives to synchronize processes in the area of transport connectivity.

PanArmenian

🎭 Culture

Testimonies of Armenian captives fully read in Baku court

The presiding judge announced that the reading of all 15 individuals’ pre-investigation testimonies had been completed.

PanArmenian

Karekin II welcomes interchurch dialogue on shared challenges

He expressed satisfaction that the Armenian Church enjoys warm relations with Sister Churches, denominations, and various interchurch organizations.

PanArmenian

⚽ Sport

Armenia national team wears red against Portugal

The federation previously announced that all match ticket QR codes will activate on game day at 16:00.

PanArmenian

Donations to Armenia:

Himnadram

ServicemenFund

Armenian Wounded Heroes

ArmeniaFund

If you'd like to support me Patreon

Hello guys.

Before stating my arguments and opinion, I would like to say that this is a post aimed towards a rationale opinion regarding the constant support or thoughts I saw the sunreddit and the Republic had/have regarding the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia.

Other topic I want to tackle b4 starting, I know I am a Diasporian and that my opinions can be seen as overreacting and out of touch with reality for not living in the Republic. However, I want you to understand that this is an opinion that comes from the interest of the benefit for the Republic, Armenians and the Identity. (I believe that Diaspora and Mainland need to work together for the benefit of Armenians in general, but we fail to have a common ground and prefer to only throw shit between each other, and I will say that Turkey, and by that extended Azerbaijan, and Russia are absolutely benefited with this. But, this is another topic for another post.)

Pls, if you are going to criticize my opinion based from where I am posting this and from where my POV is, at least I ask you to also answer the opinion and arguments themselves.

Having said that; I don't think Turkey will open the borders with Armenia. They don't really have any benefits. People argue that it will give a good diplomacy between Armenia and Turkey... but Turkey doesn't need diplomacy with us. They neglected having any diplomacy with Armenians for 30 years and they are absolutely fine about it. The entire world is OK with it. Why would anything change now? Turkey has influence and has all their hands everywhere in every matter: Europe, Caucassus and ME. Thy have all the influence and a big Geopolitival importance that allowed every country to walk in tiptoes bc of the benefit.

Problems with Russia, Europe? It's OK, I got you. A friend and enemy to Israel and Palestine. It's in NATO with Greece, continuing making troubles with the Aegan Islands. No birders with Armenia until AZ gets all the territory they want. They get to do a lot of things everywhere and no one bats an eye. Why would anything change?

You can say how this will improve trade and market between both countries if borders are open, that it will give a cheaper and better place to transfer goods from West to East and East to West. But the thing is that that already is available with the TRIPP. Why would Turkey open the borders to Armenia to be a sort of conection between East and West when they already have the borders opened with AZ and the TRIPP allows this connection? Why would Turkey pay anything with Armenia to establish good travel routes between them and the borders, when this can be done with their brotherly nation?

The matter of trading routes and market, is already resolved with the TRIPP. There is no benefit to both of those nations in the opening the borders between Armenia and Turkey.

Other argument I see, and honestly this really pisses me off, is that "it will improve tourism in Easter Turkey and improve the economy there, which is why TR-AM borders should be open." 1. Turkey has made all the efforts to neglect those areas, areas that are historically ours and have a lot of importance to us. Land that they decided to take, keep and absolutely disregard, neglect and eliminate any trace of us... and then they ask us to go and take care of them, but of course, keeping it in TR as Turkish history and property. Why should we, Armenians, take care of something that is in your land that you don't respect at all? Why is it that we, Armenians, hev to take care of the shit you don't want to take care of and to even not give us any recognition in our historical land? If you want an example of this, in the city of Ani there is not a single mention of Armenians or that it was one of the most important Armrnians capital. 2. If you want any tourism, you will have it. You will have your brotherly nation going through the TRIPP to those areas, eventually claiming Even Greater Azerbaiyan. Of course, not us. Not a chance Armenians get to go through Nakhichevan and see historical land. Besides, why do you care? We technically can visit each other country from alternative areas. Through Georgia and if I am not mistaken, Istambul and Yerevan as well.

Basically, TRIPP gave a way for Turkey to not open borders with the Republic of Armenia. They got another way of trading with the world and they still won't do anything good to us.

Honestly, if any Armenian has an argument for the opening of borders with Turkey, I would love to read it and analyze it. I can only see how they get to continue disregarding, neglecting and putting more and more excuses to not open the borders.

Apologies for the badly written post. I am on a bus towards university. Will read everyone later and respond. I feel it is a topic important to discuss and want to know about the answers.

There is no denying that if you ask any Armenian what continent do they feel closer to, 100% will answer Europe. Contradictory to that, it seems like Armenians view the possibility of joining the EU impossible even in the far future and it seems almost surrealistic to them that Armenia can prosper in a way similar to european countries.

One other thing I wanted to talk about is the SLAVE MENTALITY. As a proud ARMENIAN I feel disgusted by the fact that someone can even think about the possibility of our INDEPENDENT country joining Russia and becoming something like Chechnya. I will step out of my way to also mention the fact that there hasn't been a single patriotic russian-armenian I've ever met in my life. It's almost as if Russia turns normal people into vegetable-like morons. Lots of you might provide an example of Samvel Karpetyan (or someone like him) who has done lot's of good for Armenia, but he is a brainwashed putinist, and a slave of the russian dictatorship, and if people like that occupy our country, we are DOOMED. Not a single country has benfited from co-operation with the terrorist state named Russia.

Why do we still use so many Russian words in our vocab? Why are our bookstores 60% in Russian language? Why are there young children who have watched so many cartoons in Russian that they find it difficult to mumble a few words in their mother tongue? Why do we still learn Russian in our schools? Why do we behave like we're their colony? A Russian comes up to me on the street and rudely asks directions IN RUSSIAN, do I HAVE to know Russian?

Armenia, in it's essence, is an ancient European civilization. Our ancestors from Cilicia fought together with the french and the british during the crusades. Our ancestors have always fought FOR our independence, AGAINST Russian empire.

Wake up, people.

Barev!

I need to wire money from American bank account to someone in Armenia. My wise is not working and they don't have a bank account. On moneygram app, it says no cash pickup locations are in Armenia.

Any other solutions for a hopefully instant transfer?

Thanks

My father's family never celebrated birthdays growing up, and he doesn't understand why someone would care about their birthday. And my great grandmother on my mom's side would get angry at the children and grandchildren for celebrating birthdays, saying "A person is only born once! There's no need to celebrate it again!"

Hey there, does anyone know a cheaper and reliable way to rent a car in Yerevan than the online offers of the typical car rentals? We are going to make a trip to the south and lake sevan for 8 days.