THOUSANDS FROM IRAN CELEBRATE NOVRUZ IN ARMENIA

HULIQ
March 26 2009
SC

Armenian Public Radio reports that close to 20,000 vacationers
from neighboring Iran have traveled to Armenia to celebrate Novruz,
the Iranian New Year in Armenia due to liberties, affordability and
warm weather.

The residents of the capital of Armenia Yerevan see many more tourists
from Iran during this time of the year than they normally do. The
reason is that many Iranians have chosen Yerevan to celebrate Novruz.

Celebrated on the first day of Spring, Novruz is the favorite holiday
maintaining a strong tradition in Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey
and in central Asia. At its core, the Novruz festival celebrates
the awakening of the natural life. This awakening symbolizes the
triumph of good, winning against the evil forces of darkness that are
represented by the Winter. Novruz is the point when the oppressive
presence of the cold Winter finally begins to retrieve with the
commencement of the lively and hopeful Spring. This symbolic and
poetic change corresponds to the mathematical instance of the sun
leaving the zodiac of Pisces and entering the zodiacal sign of Aries,
also known as the Spring Equinox.

The young people from Iran travel to Armenia with large groups to
be able to celebrate Novruz while they can attend Yerevan’s numerous
nightclubs and can drink in public. Whereas in Iran you can only drink
inside your house and there is no such a thing as public drinking.

The reporter of the Armenia radio interviewed a young lady who is
staying in front of Yerevan hotel saying "look I can have my beer
here and don’t have to carry a scarf, which is an obligation in Iran."

As Armenia has become the touristic Mecca in the region due to its
rich culture, public liberties, warm weather and affordability the
Armenian and Iranian companies had to make charter flight and bus tours
to Armenia to accomodate the travel needs of about 20,000 Iranians.

"We went to night clubs, danced and were able to have good time with
our friends. Yerevan is near to Iran, full of good people and provides
good opportunities for fun and celebration," says 25 years old Amir
from Iran while shopping in Yerevan and who thinks the traditions
are too strict in his country Iran.

Tourism, established as one of the priorities of the national economy,
has been steadily growing in Armenia. Last year the Armenian government
had created an action plan for the development of the travel industry
in the country. The plan provides for the development of infrastructure
and transport, road construction, training of personnel, development of
business environment, development of tourism in Armenia’s communities.

It is estimated that an average vacationer spends $1000 U.S. dollars
in Armenia per week, which includes most of the expenses, including
hotel and meal. Therefore, 20,000 Iranian tourists leaving $20 Million
dollars in the Armenian economy is a good investment in the country
of 3.5 million people.