Freedom Square, Yerevan
Freedom Square or Liberty Square (Armenian: Ազատության հրապարակ Azatutyan hraparak), also known as Opera Square and formerly Theatre Square, is a town square located in Kentron (Center) district of Yerevan, Armenia. The square is part of the Yerevan Opera Theater complex, located just to the south of the main opera building, between the opera park and the Swan lake. The square is bordered with four streets: Tumanyan Street, Teryan Street, Sayat Nova Avenue and Mashtots Avenue. The statues of writer Hovhannes Tumanyan and composer Alexander Spendiaryan are located in the square. An underground parking was built in 2008-2010.
The semi-circular square is known for its significant role in modern history of Armenia. Since the Karabakh movement in the late 1980s, the Freedom Square has become a center of popular protests. After Armenia's independence, it has been one of the main locations of opposition rallies. Called the "symbol of democracy" in Armenia,[1] the square can hold an estimated 42,000-45,000[2] to 50,000 people.[3]
Gallery
-
Karabakh movement, 1988 -
2008 Armenian presidential election protests: Thousands of protesters at Liberty Square on a typical evening (February 24) -
2008 protests: Tents set up -
2008 protests: A water tanker cleans Opera Square of debris and blood after the government's crackdown -
2008 protests: Riot police and army occupy and block access to Liberty Square as well as to other major squares in Yerevan, March 21 -
-
.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ Abrahamyan, Gayane (16 September 2010). "Symbol of freedom or reminder of violence?: Opposition, city authorities continue battle over key Yerevan square". ArmeniaNow. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ "Ինչքան մարդ է տեղավորում Ազատության հրապարակը". Aravot (in Armenian). 20 February 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ "Որքա՞ն միտինգավոր է տեղավորվում Ազատության հրապարակում". Azg Daily (in Armenian). 9 November 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
