"CRISIS IS ALWAYS FELT IN GYUMRI"

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02:22 pm | March 30, 2009

Society

"Economic crisis? What is it?" in reply to our question said a
40-year-old Gyumri citizen who lives "with an open heart and broad
smile ignoring the crisis."

Gyumri residents say they don’t feel depressed at the thought of an
economic crisis as they "always experience a panic – both spiritual
and financial."

"We have adoptive immunity and never fear from global tremors,"
says 29-year-old Volodya Grigoryan who is preparing documents to
leave for Russia.

Unemployement continues to be a most concerning problem in
Gyumri. Local residents say unemployment is their first and foremost
problem.

A woman recalled Serzh Sargsyan’s pledges of December 7, 2008 when the
latter promised to turn Gyumri into a center of art and sports. "Every
time they say one and the same thing but they do nothing. Let them
open new working places instead," said a woman whose 35-year-old son
was recently sacked from work.

"My son used to work in a filling station. The director said he was
reducing the staff to make savings." Mrs. Tereza advised us to visit
her neighbours and inquire how much she owes to each of them.

Note that as a result of the economic crisis over 200 groceries,
bathrooms and stores have been closed down in Gyumri