Yerevan Deputy Mayor Tigran Avinyan published a video on his Facebook page, telling about some of the stages of his life: his work, his formation as a responsible citizen, his studies, his family, and, of course, his love for Yerevan.
“Mine is an ordinary story… An ordinary Yerevanian… I grew up in the yards of Yerevan. That stage was the first school in my life, near the Pushkin school, Moskovyan-Abovyan-Sayat-Nova… We used to walk there with my friends, fight like many others, fall in love, grow up, and change with our city. We were annoyed by the buildings and garages being built in the yards, the unkempt state of the gardens, and even the “creaking” of Gazelle’s door.
We managed to change a part of what I listed, and the other part is also solvable. We have to work, change, and, in short, do business. Okay, I came back to our days; let me go back.
I graduated from Russian-Armenian University. During those years, I was formed as a responsible citizen, taking my first political and social steps. Then I continued in London. Perhaps more important than the professional knowledge I gained there was seeing how caring and comfortable the city can be for its residents.
During that time, I also managed more essential things. Meet my wife, Mariam Pahlavuni. Her last name is even more unusual than mine. I also owe Yerevan for Mariam. My daughters are Sophie, Eva, and Sarah. I am sure this city will be close to their hearts; it will be their city, with green gardens, well-kept yards, and a convenient and accessible city.
And what needs to be done for Yerevan to be like that? As simple as it sounds, all you need to do is love and take responsibility for the city. I have never avoided responsibility. I know that some may not be satisfied with or criticize me, justly, sometimes not so much, but that is also an essential part of this work. Criticism helps to move forward, to review what needs to be done, and to do more.
Yerevan has been a part of me, my family, and my home for 34 years. I want Yerevan to be and remain a city for people, a place that is constantly renewed but also preserves its historical environment and local memory. That may be all. I’m telling you an ordinary Yerevan story…”
