The first repatriation (1920-30) and it’s influence on the urban planning and architecture of Yerevan

Lundi 19 novembre 2018, 14h-16h, salle 604, 18 rue Chevreul 69007 Lyon

Intervention d’Emma HARUTYUNYAN, PhD, Associate professor, National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia

Séminaire conjoint avec l’atelier 6

Contact : Suzanne Monnot, suzanne.monnot@lyon.archi.fr

The Armenian
Diaspora began to be formed from Middle Ages, but it has more increased after a
Genocide. Stopping in the different countries, the builder Armenians have
created the big and small colonies, were accepted to construction of the
habitation, the centers of belief and education. But the true native land has
remained in hearts of people, the homesickness which has increased in mass
repatriation has appeared. The Soviet Armenia was considered as the sacred
Native land of all Armenians.

Lausanne
conference in 1922-1923 became solving in orientation to the Soviet Armenia
after which,due to diligence of the western powers and Turkey, the Armenian
Question appeared in impasse.

Working in
Diaspora philanthropic and different other Unions, going towards to aspirations
of compatriots and estimating it as a way of rescue of Armenians – emigrants,
have in every possible way supported repatriation and have sent respective
applications to the Government of the Soviet Armenia.

Within
1921-1973 approximately 200 thousand Armenians were repatriated to the Soviet
Armenia.

The history
allocates three stages of repatriation:

• 1921-1938 – the first repatriation (more than 60 thousand person)
• 1946-1948 – the second repatriation (about 100 thousand person)
• 1962-1973 – the third repatriation (more than 26 thousand person)

Direct
result begun in 1920 year and mass repatriation proceeding in 1930 year, are
works of planning and building up villages New-Arabkir (1925), New-Butania
(1925), New-Yevdokia (1925), New-Malatia (1927), New-Sebastia (1928),
New-Kharberd (1929), Nubarashen (1930), New-Tomarza (1931), New-Kghi (1931),
New-Tigranakert (1934), New-Cesaria (1934), and after war, also New-Zeytun,
Kamarak, New-Marash, New-Kilikia, New-Aresh and other settlements.

Later some
from these settlements were renamed for the different reasons, and many till
now have kept the initial names. Some settlements became sites of the big
settlements (for example, New-Sebastia has included in the territory
settlements of New-Kghi, New-Tigranakert, New-Cesaria), and the majority of settlements
further have included in territory of Yerevan and steel its districts
(New-Malatia, New-Arabkir and others).

All new
settlements of immigrants thus have appeared, some of which further were part
of Yerevan, having left urban-planning and architectural influence on city.
Presence of these districts with the unique traditional and original
environment, architecture and coloring, has transformed Yerevan in 1950-60 into
an original breadboard model of Historical Armenia.

In a
consequence, because of the chosen Urban Developing policy, above the mentioned
districts start to lose the unique face and environment. And, if now will not
be, even, that while was kept is investigated and appreciated, soon from these
districts names will stay only.