Cats, Dogs, and Armenian Khachkars

Now that the tourism of summer has come to an end, I'm starting to notice the stray dogs and cats entering the streets again. As the chaos of the busy days and nights has been reduced to emptier streets and more quiet environments. I have to say, I've missed it too. The tourism side of summer in Armenia is fun when you see so many people coming to enjoy the small nation, but the city of Yerevan in particular is so small that it barely functions as a city for its local population. I think the strays tend to run off into the outer residential districts as a result, knowing they're a bit safer there and have higher chances of being supported with food and shelter. There's a cat nearby which recently insisted on showing me its kittens. Tiny little things that were quite cautious. I've photographed it a few times but not when it's more relaxed.

These are often found within parks. And within these parks are also signs of Armenian traditions. The Khachkar which is a stone carving which features Christian symbols and various cultural patterns. These came about during the rise of the Roman Empire in Armenia, which itself introduced the nation to the Christian religion. And since then, the nation has been incredibly strong in maintaining that side of its past. Throughout Armenia are these Khachkars. Some of them are incredibly old, just left there to stand the test of time. Others are newer which is surprising. They sit within parks and sometimes are accompanied with other statues and symbols. The Soviet Union was quite strong on pushing down religious symbolism, though one side of things that did get approved was the more Christian side of Armenian's past. Knowing it couldn't be changed. Knowing that the religion wasn't really a threat to the ideology of the USSR. Precisely why the Orthodox side remained in Russia during the time. This was also to ensure that foreign influence didn't impact the USSR and provide a form of patriotism within the people.

This stray dog wouldn't tell you much more about it though. The ragged little thing was adorable but quite cautious of me. Sitting in the garden behind an old Khrushchevka which was scattered in leaves that had fallen from the surrounding trees. I wanted to get a bit closer and pet it, but the dog seemed fine with just being nearby. Instead I put the camera down on the gimbal and took a few shots of it looked around. This is the type of dog I'd love to own one way, one that isn't too big and seems relatively gentle. With some really beautiful fur. Though this dog certainly could've done with a long bath! I pressed on and walked around the area a bit more. Though the dog didn't bother following. A bit later I did find it roaming around on the other side, which was a nice sight. I was a bit more cautious of the other dogs running around though. Some were really fast and didn't seem the friendliest. Perhaps that's why some of the others remained a bit more on edge.

I have no idea if these statues within some of the parks are that old or not. Perhaps works that could've been done in the 80s during the later years of the USSR. When the restrictions were becoming a bit more relaxed and the USSR was basically in its final breaths. The Christian symbolism stronger than before. Though these still had some of that USSR aesthetic to them. The concept of the Soviet modernism that is felt all around. There was even one unique building nearby that I didn't get a chance to photograph that really looked unique. A computer science college from what I gathered on one of the signs on the building. With all the former industry nearby, it made sense to have it there. Where it could've contributed in ways to the nearby production of various technological advancements: lights, cars and vehicles, and all the rest.

In another nearby garden are more angelic themes. The use of winged humanoid beings. They hold various shapes and designs but are clearly suggesting something related to the religion of the nation. Some people in Armenia are pretty good at documenting these creations, going as far as finding the living relatives of the sculptors and designers to learn more about them. Though this one I have no idea. I haven't seen anything one these. Though they reside in a park that's surrounded by old homes and again former industry. With the park now more modernised despite the elderly men that gather within it to play Nardi and occasionally argue over their losses.