DOI: 10.7256/2454-0625.2018.5.26254

Abstract: In this article Atanesian analyzes the origin of Christian symbols in urban monuments of post-Soviet Armenia and process of understanding their symbolic meaning in terms of national features. After the break up of the USSR, Armenian Apostolic Church became part of the social life of Armenia again and decided to reinforce their symbolic presence in urban territories of post-Soviet Armenia. After declaration of Armenian independence and cancellation of the Soviet censorship in urban landscapes churches were built and khachkars were created. Numerous monuments depicting crosses erected by city authorities, benefactors and Armenian community over the last 20 years reinforce the role of Christian symbolics in the social life of post-Soviet Armenia. Based on the analysis of urban monuments erected in the post-Soviet period and depicting religious symbolics, the author states that Christian themes flourished in the monument building policy of the last years. By using the methods of observation and interview, the author specifies particular features of perceiving these symbols by citizens of post-Soviet Armenia. Over the last 15 years a lot of monuments for state and political activists accompanied by Christian symbols were erected in Armenia's central squares. Appearance of Christian symbols in the public space of post-Soviet Armenia was viewed by the author of the article as an attempt to oficially propagandize the importance of faith and Armenian Apostolic Church for further development of the country. 

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2018.3.26168

Abstract: This article examines the preservation mechanisms of multiple monuments of the Great Patriotic War in post-Soviet Armenia and the processes of reconsideration of their symbolic meaning for the commemorative practices of recent years. Shortly after the acquisition of sovereignty, Armenia has begun the process of reconsideration of the Soviet crucial events, which led to the fight against the Soviet monuments. Monuments of the Great Patriotic War are the only ones out of the Soviet monuments in Armenia that continue to be interpreted in the previous context. However, multiple monuments of the Great Patriotic War not only have lost their former role in the symbolic landscape of post-Soviet Armenia, but also completely neglected. Throughout the post-Soviet years, multiple monuments to the victims of Nagorno-Karabakh War and Spitak earthquake were erected on the territories of the monuments of Great Patriotic War, forming the pantheons. Based on examination of the monuments erected during the Soviet period dedicated to the victims and heroes of Patriotic War, its is underlined that these monuments and their territories were transformed not only on the physical, but also the symbolic level. Using the methods of observation and interview, the author clarifies the specificity of perception of the aforementioned symbols by the residents of post-Soviet Armenia in celebration of the Victory Day. Over twenty years, May 9 alongside the Victory Day celebrates the Liberation of Shushi and Day of Establishment of the Defense Army; thus, the reminiscence of the Great Patriotic War has gained the national content and lost its former dominant symbolic meaning in public memory. On the other hand, due to the emergence of new pantheons, have activated the subjects of commemorative practices of the recent years.

DOI: 10.7256/2310-8673.2018.3.26375

Abstract: This article examines the mechanism of erection of the new city monuments in post-Soviet Armenia, as well as the reconsideration processes of their aesthetic significance in transformation of the urban symbolic landscapes. The residents of Armenia continue to welcome the erection of new monuments, thus the city authorities actively install the new statues across the country, approving all propositions of benefactors to rearrange the symbolic space of post-Soviet Armenia. Having examines the monuments erecter by benefactors in the cities of post-Soviet Armenia, it is stated that over the recent years the memorial landscape was transformed on both, physical and symbolic levels. Using the methods of observation and interview, the author clarifies the specificity of perception of the new monuments by the creative community and residents of the Armenian cities. The appearance of new monuments erected at the discretion of benefactors and entrepreneurs started to draw criticism of the experts and public that compare these statues with the tombstones. The residents of post-Soviet Armenia fear that in terms of continuing such practice, the cities will be filled with low-quality statues and tombstones, this blaming the city authorities that remain to approve all propositions on erection of monuments across the country.