Lovers' Park
| Lovers' Park - Boghossian Gardens | |
|---|---|
 Waterfalls at the Lovers' Park | |
 | |
| Type | Public |
| Location | Kentron District, Yerevan, Armenia |
| Coordinates | 40°11′29″N 44°30′22″E / 40.19139°N 44.50611°E |
| Area | 1.6 hectare |
| Created | 18th century |
| Designer | Pierre Rambach |
| Operated by | Boghossian Foundation |
| Status | Open all year |
| Website | http://www.boghossiangardens.org/ |
Lovers' Park (Template:Lang-hy (Siraharneri Aygi)) is a public park in Yerevan, Armenia, located on Baghramyan Avenue. It occupies an area of 2.5 hectares in the central Kentron District of the city. The park was entirely renovated between 2005 and 2008 and reopened in November 2008 by the efforts of benefactor Albert Boghossian, head of Boghossian Foundation.
History
The park dates back to the 18th century, known as Kozern Park named after the Kozern district, a northwestern suburb of old Yerevan. It was well known for its medieval cemetery and its chapel.
After the World War II, the park was redesigned in 1949 and renamed Pushkin Park by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Later in 1970, the park was named Barekamutyun (Frinedship) as a tribute to the friendship of all Soviet Union member nations. In 1995, following the independence of the Republic of Armenia, by the decision of the presidency of Yerevan City Council’s civil representatives, the park was renamed Lovers' Park Yerevan, based on the fact that the park had been a favorite rendezvous for many couples, during the second half of the 20th century.[1]
In 2005, by the initiative of benefactor Albert Boghossian, the Boghossian Foundation assumed the renovation of the park, within the frames of Boghossian Gardens project. Following a year of research, French designer architect Pierre Rambach presented the sketches of the new Lovers' Park project in 2006 and received the approval of the Yerevan City Council. Pierre Rambach has visited Armenia several times to explore Armenian landscapes and find the best solutions to enable the combination of rigorous Japanese landscaping principles with the spirit of Armenia.
After being entirely renovated between 2005 and 2008, the Lovers' Park Yerevan was opened in November 2008. The park has no steps in order to enable an easy access of wheelchairs to all parts. It has a small café with many outdoor seats. The park is home to a small central amphitheatre with a capacity of 215 seats and a stage surface of 100 m². The following events are held in the park:
- celebrations of the national holidays and feasts of Armenia
- open air movie screenings of The Golden Apricot International Film Festival
- open-air reading festivals
- music festivals
- live concerts
- exhibitions
In 2010, the statue of prominent Armenian poet Gevorg Emin -designed by sculptor Ashot Aramyan- was erected in the park. In 2014, the presentation of the art installation “Obsidian Heart” by artist Jean-Michel Othonie took place in the park.
The Marshal Baghramyan underground station stands at the northwestern corner of the Lover's Park since 1981.
Facts and figures
- Total area: 1.6 hectare.
- Green area: 1.05 hectare.
- Number of trees: 370.
- Water surface: 0.11 hectare.
- Number of waterfalls: 4.
