Freedom Square, Yerevan

History

The square was built together with the building of the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater. Alexander Spendiaryan's grave is located in the park surrounding the square. In 1957, bronze-granite statues of Hovhannes Tumanyan and Alexander Spendiaryan were installed on the square to mark the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution.

Park near the square

On the eastern side of the square at the intersection of Tumanyan and Teryan streets, an artificial reservoir was built in the early 1960s - “Swan Lake”, reminiscent of Lake Sevan in shape. On July 4, 2003, near the square, on the shore of Swan Lake, a monument was erected in memory of the outstanding Armenian and Soviet composer Arno Babajanyan. In March 2019, Yerevan City Hall dismantled a number of cafes built in the green area of the square. On November 4, 2022, in honor of the 100th anniversary of conductor Ohan Duryan, his monument was unveiled near the square’s park. The author of the monument is sculptor Getik Baghdasaryan.

In politics

Due to a tradition of demonstrations at the square, it has been described as a "symbol of democracy" in Armenia.

The square has variously been estimated to be able to hold 42,000–45,000 to 50,000 people.

1988: Karabakh movement

The semi-circular square is known for its prominent role in modern history of Armenia. Since the Karabakh movement in February 1988, the Freedom Square has become a center of popular demonstrations. To suppress the demonstrations the square was closed down several times within 1988 by Soviet police and military forces.

Post-election protests

After Armenia's independence in 1991 the square has been the main location of anti-government rallies, especially following presidential elections in 1996, 2003, 2008, and 2013.

In the aftermath of the disputed 2008 presidential election, thousands of supporters of opposition leader and Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan gathered in the square and began sit-ins. In the early morning of March 1, 2008 these peaceful protests were violently dispersed by the police and the square was closed down for civilians. For around 20 days, the square remained under occupation by police and armed forces to enforce the state of emergency. Subsequently, it was closed down for rallies for over three years, until March 17, 2011 when Ter-Petrosyan's Armenian National Congress staged a large rally.

Underground parking lot

On August 28, 2008 the Armenian government made a decision to start a construction of an underground parking lot beneath the square to relieve the surrounding streets where parked cars often complicate the traffic. The opposition claimed the decision was intended to prevent demonstration there, although the government denied these allegations. The three-storey parking lot for up to 500 cars was opened on May 24, 2010 in attendance of Mayor Gagik Beglaryan and President Serzh Sargsyan. The project cost about $10.5 million.

Gallery

File:Karabakh movement demonstration at Yerevan Opera square (4).jpg|Karabakh movement, 1988 File:Armenian Presidential Elections 2008 Protest Day 5 - Opera Square night.jpg|2008 Armenian presidential election protests: Thousands of protesters at Liberty Square on a typical evening (February 24) File:Armenian Presidential Elections 2008 Protest Day 5 - Opera Square tents.jpg|2008 protests: Tents set up File:Armenian Presidential Elections 2008 Protest Day 11 - Opera Square water cleaning.jpg|2008 protests: A water tanker cleans Opera Square of debris and blood after the government's crackdown File:Armenian Presidential Elections 2008 Protest Mar 21 - Opera Square general view.jpg|2008 protests: Riot police and army occupy and block access to Liberty Square as well as to other major squares in Yerevan, March 21 File:April 8 2011 ANC protest Yerevan.JPG|2011 Armenian protests File:Raffi Hovannisian 22 Feb 2013.jpg|2013 Armenian protests File:Հոկտեմբերի 10, Ազատության հրապարակ.JPG|10.10.2014

References

References

1. Abrahamyan, Gayane. (16 September 2010). "Symbol of freedom or reminder of violence?: Opposition, city authorities continue battle over key Yerevan square". [[ArmeniaNow]].
2. (20 February 2013). "Ինչքան մարդ է տեղավորում Ազատության հրապարակը [How many people does the Freedom Square hold]". [[Aravot]].
3. Martirosyan. Ara. link. (9 November 2008)
4. Malkasian, Mark. (1996). "Gha-ra-bagh!: The Emergence of the National Democratic Movement in Armenia". Wayne State Univ. Press.
5. (10 July 1988). "Troops Sent Back to Armenia Capital After Mass Rally". [[Los Angeles Times]].
6. Keller, Bill. (22 December 1988). "Armenia Opens To Show Capital Under Tight Lid". [[New York Times]].
7. Tavernise, Sabrina. (3 March 2008). "Emergency Order Empties Armenian Capital's Streets". [[New York Times]].
8. (18 March 2011). "Armenian Opposition Reoccupies Key Square As Protests Grow In Strength".
9. link. panorama.am. (24 May 2010)
10. (24 May 2010). "New Underground Parking Structure Inaugurated in Armenian Capital". [[Asbarez]].
11. (24 May 2010). "The Underground Parking Lot of the Freedom Square opened with Participation of the Armenian President".