armenianow.com
July 30, 2004

Vacation Armenian Style: The healing value of Dendropark

By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

>From the road leading to Stepanavan, travelers get a first glimpse of
the pride of that city, the Dendropark. The tops of big pine trees
sway humbly as if to wave at approaching guests.
The 35 hectares park is in unfortunate decay, yet from a distance it becomes
an emerald lake, rippling after rain in the colors of every imaginable
green.

Natural health for the soul
Dendropark was created in 1933 by Polish forester Edmond Leonovich. Over the
years Leonovich collected trees, bushes and flowers from across the world.
>From about 2,500 species, he identified 600 that would thrive in the
Northern Armenia climate and they became the park. The work was later
continued by Leonovich’s son, Vitali, a doctor of biology.
Given the travel restrictions of Soviet times, it was a massive chore for
Leonovich to collect samples from throughout the world. And today, because
of quite different problems, it is equally difficult to maintain the park,
the son says.
Still, during summer months Dendropark is filled with guests. Leaving the
wearisome heat, people hurry here to enjoy the dizzying fragrance of fir
trees, calm rustling of tree branches and crystal clear air.
Vanadzor resident Narine Kirakosyan, 27, is a big fan of this garden and at
least one day a week she spends close to this wonderful nature.

Green peace
“When I’m angry or very tired I get into the car and come to Dendropark
without hesitating and as if by some miracle I relax,” says Narine. She says
the experience allows her soul to merge with nature.
“No one knows what the paradise in heaven is like, but the earthly one is
definitely like our Dendropark, at least my friends and I have that
feeling,” says Narine.
This heavenly park that spreads behind the small gates attracts not only due
to its beauty but also due to its medicinal qualities. In early summer
people come even from different countries to breathe the pollen of fir
trees. According to specialist Grigor Nerkararyan the fir tree pollen has a
natural makeup that is good for treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma,
pneumonia and allergies. Taking into account nature’s own remedy, in 1937
the Sotchut Health Center for Mothers and Children was constructed next to
the park.
Despite various problems and poor financing visitors are accepted at
Dendropark free of charge. Director Vitali Leonovich says nature belongs to
everyone and it’s in a way immoral to ask money from people who want to
enjoy it.
“These days complaining is a sin. We ???? sprouts from several famous brands
such as sitka spruce ? r fir and sell them and spend the money that we make
of it on the works on improving the park’s conditions,” says Leonovich.

Surrounded by beauty
The 71-year old park starts each day like the one before. Rays of sun, like
naughty children trying to break in, try to penetrate the thick foliage of
so many old trees and are laughed at by twittering birds. Rains do not keep
one waiting here, often the clouds start roaring and heavy rain slakes the
thirst of the plants.
Here people and nature are as a single whole, even on cold winter days
Vitali Leonovich and his family do not leave the park, he caresses it like
his own child and speaks with every tree and bush.
“This nature is a part of me,” Leonovich says. “In general, a person is a
part of nature, so the closer and more harmonious you are to nature, the
more valuable a person you are both spiritually and physically.”