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Unremitting modernization is the phenomenon of Yerevan, yet it has come to the systematic disadvantage of the city itself. This is not about the last 25 years, although mistakes had been made even before that. Today, not a single right thing is done in the city construction and architecture, architect Karen Babayan said today during a presentation of the book “Old Yerevan in Armenian classic stories and memories of the 1920-1940s” by Karine Khalatyan.

Babayan noted that Yerevan still preserves its phenomenon of being a multilayered city, yet the current generation sees and notices little of those layers.

“Architects are keeping on suggesting different projects of destroying those layers. They gather, discuss. Sometimes, the matter refers to major funds, where they could gain more money. The city is the only one that gets poorer, yet books are published about it,” Babayan said, exemplifying the book authored by Khalatyan.

The book presentation was held at Avetik Isahakyan Museum-House. It comprises memories about Yerevan, its residents, their daily routine through the works of renown Armenian writers, such as Aksel Bakunts, Stepan Zoryan, Vahan Totovents, Derenik Demirchyan, Gurgen Mahari and many others.

“This book is about my love and dedication to the motherland, to my Yerevan. It has been written with great inspiration. There are works that were translated years ago. I decided to compile them and publish a book, which also contains new translations,” Karine Khalatyan told Panorama.am.

She next emphasized that such books educate to love the city are designed for those who want to learn about Yerevan, its image, people, and traditions.

“Yerevan is revealed through artistic expression in the book,” the author stressed, also announcing her future plans of completing the second book about Yerevan.