The fortress of Erebuni, once the great capital of the mighty Uratu Kingdom, is located on the outskirts of Yerevan. The ruins of the citadel are flanked on one side by quiet mountains – their rocky slopes reaching up toward the hot summer sun. On the other side is Yerevan and the Ararat plain. The noise of […]

In the heart of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan, stands the Armenian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet and the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, simply known as “The Opera” by locals. Built in the early twentieth century, this cultural hub showcases a blend of traditional Armenian architecture and contemporary design representative of its diverse repertoire. […]

I can’t put my finger on what sparked my interest in Soviet-era mosaics, but at this point, I’m obsessed. As someone who grew up in the US, it’s a rather foreign thing to see the sides of entire buildings decked out in brightly colored scenes made of tiles. It also contradicts what many people believe […]

The Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia is a great first stop in Georgia for an essential overview of the country’s place not only as a small country that has long lived at the crossroads of great empires but also as a modern nation with a layered millennia-old history unto itself. The museum shows the highlights […]

The Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi has a rich history and offers a diverse range of opera and ballet performances – from traditional masterpieces to innovative contemporary offerings. Built in the late 19th century, the theater showcases a stunning blend of neoclassical and Moorish architectural styles as well as opulent interiors, creating a majestic […]

The Batumi Archeological Museum is centrally located on the main highway that runs through the city. It is a two-story stone building that houses a plethora of artifacts from Georgian excavation sites, bringing to life the story of the local people and their connections to European culture. History and Founding of the Batumi Archeological Museum […]

Ararat Brandy Factory: A Little Bit of Brandy and a Whole Lot of History Yerevan, Armenia (Excursion included in the Policy and Conflict Program, Fall 2017) Cost of Souvenir Brandy: 7,170-16,730 Armenian Dram ($15-$35 depending on quality of brandy)   During our one-week stay in Armenia, my group had a special excursion to the Ararat […]

The Village is a Russian-language publication in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev that seeks to inform locals about their various cities, upcoming events, urban changes, and history. The following is an interesting entry from a series of articles which The Village introduces with the following statement: “Until recently, it seemed that everyone copied Moscow and St. Petersburg, and ultimately, everyone […]