ARMENIANS’ RICH CULTURE TO BE THEIR FIRST PRIDE, FOREIGN GUEST SAYS

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
YEREVAN
JULY 27, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. American Armenian
Bruce Bogosian who is in Yerevan these days, visits Armenia for
the second time, and this visit proved his positive expectations
from Armenia.

"Before coming here, I gathered enough information about Armenia from
my friends, books, internet sites. The expectations were more than
justified, and my opinion formed about Armenia that it was a modern
European country was proved," American Armenian Bruce Bogosian said in
the interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent. "Everything is wonderful,
except the traffic in Yerevan. It is merely terrible: one do not
orient when he can pass his way," he said with indignation. At the
same time, in B. Bogosian’s words, Yerevan evenings are wonderful:
"One may always enjoy a cup of beer with your friends and also enjoy
the calmness of evening Yerevan "

B. Bogosian was present at the Golden Apricot film festival which
he greatly enjoyed though he has had no possibility to watch all the
films prefered by him.

Dutch Jeremy Bernascondi arrived in Armenia within the framework of
Golden Apricot also liked Armenia and Armenians, but, however, he
would not agree to dwell here, if only for the reason, that living
in Armenia, he would have to refuse cycling. "The traffic here
is terrible. It has a very negative influence on us, new comers,"
the Dutch guest said, adding: "Instead, one will never be bored:
I especially liked the evenings in Yerevan, when the life seems to
newly start."

"Before coming to Armenia I knew about your country what every
foreigner knows: the genocide is spoken about. I got to know here about
the Nagorno Karabakh problem as well and understood why my Armenian
friends feel hurt when I compare Armenians and Azeris and say that they
are like each other in some senses," Bernaskondi said. And another
observation: in Dutch Bernaskondi’s words, "it is clear that it is
a honour for Armenians to have a compatriot like Charles Aznavour
but I do not think, either, that there is need to mention his name
so often. There are also many talks about Ararat.

While Armenia has a rich history and that is what one must be
proud of."