| Armenians have their own distinctive alphabet and | | | | their original settings. |
| language. The alphabet was invented in 405 AD by | | | | The American University of Armenia has graduate |
| Saint Mesrob Mashtots and consists of thirty-eight | | | | programs in Business and Law, among others. The |
| letters, two of which were added during the Cilician | | | | institution owes its existence to the combined efforts |
| period. 96% of the people in the country speak | | | | of the Government of Armenia, the Armenian General |
| Armenian, while 75.8% of the population additionally | | | | Benevolent Union, U.S. Agency for International |
| speaks Russian although English is becoming | | | | Development, and the University of California. The |
| increasingly popular. | | | | extension programs and the library at AUA form a |
| Music and the arts | | | | new focal point for English-language intellectual life in |
| The National Art Gallery in Yerevan has more than | | | | the city. |
| 16,000 works that date back to the Middle Ages. The | | | | The members of the nu-metal band System of a |
| Modern Art Museum, the Children’s Picture | | | | Down are all of Armenian descent, although only |
| Gallery, and the Martiros Saryan Museum are only a | | | | bassist Shavo Odadjian is from the country. |
| few of the other noteworthy collections. Moreover, | | | | Hospitality and wedding ceremonies |
| many private galleries are in operation, with many | | | | Armenian hospitality is legendary and stems from |
| more opening each year. They feature rotating | | | | ancient tradition. Social gatherings focused around |
| exhibitions and sales. | | | | sumptuous presentations of course after course of |
| The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the | | | | elaborately prepared and well-seasoned food. The |
| refurbished city Opera House. In addition, several | | | | hosts will often put morsels on a guest's plate |
| chamber ensembles are highly regarded for their | | | | whenever it is empty or fill his or her glass when it |
| musicianship, including the National Chamber Orchestra | | | | gets low. After a helping or two it is acceptable to |
| of Armenia and the Serenade Orchestra. Classical | | | | refuse politely or, more simply, just leave a little |
| music can also be heard at one of several smaller | | | | uneaten food. Alcohol such as cognac, vodka, and red |
| venues, including the Yerevan Komitas State | | | | wine are usually served during meals and gatherings. It |
| Conservatory and the Chamber Orchestra Hall. Jazz | | | | is considered rare and unusual for one to go inside an |
| is popular, especially in the summer when live | | | | Armenian household and not be offered coffee, |
| performances are a regular occurrence at one of the | | | | pastry, food, or even water. |
| city’s many outdoor cafés. | | | | The elaborate Armenian wedding process begins |
| Yerevan’s Vernisage (arts and crafts | | | | when the man and woman are "promised". The man's |
| market), close to Republic Square, bustles with | | | | immediate family (parents, grandparents, and often |
| hundreds of vendors selling a variety of crafts on | | | | uncles and aunts) go over to the woman's house to |
| weekends and Wednesdays (though the selection is | | | | ask for permission from the woman's father for the |
| much reduced mid-week). The market offers | | | | relationship to continue and hopefully prosper. Once |
| woodcarving, antiques, fine lace, and the hand-knotted | | | | permission is granted by the father, the man gives the |
| wool carpets and kilims that are a Caucasus specialty. | | | | woman a "promise ring" to make it official. To |
| Obsidian, which is found locally, is crafted into | | | | celebrate the mutual family agreement, the woman's |
| assortment of jewelry and ornamental objects. | | | | family opens a bottle of Armenian cognac. After being |
| Armenian gold smithery enjoys a long tradition, | | | | promised, most families elect to have a semi-large |
| populating one corner of the market with a selection of | | | | engagement party as well. The girl's family is the one |
| gold items. Soviet relics and souvenirs of recent | | | | who plans, organises and pays for the party. There is |
| Russian manufacture—nesting dolls, watches, | | | | very little involvement by the man's family. At the party, |
| enamel boxes and so on, are also available at the | | | | a priest is summoned to pray for the soon-to-be |
| Vernisage. | | | | husband and wife and give his blessings. Once the |
| Across from the Opera House, a popular art market | | | | words of prayer have concluded, the couple slide |
| fills another city park on the weekends. | | | | wedding bands on each other's right hands (the ring is |
| Armenia’s long history as a crossroads of | | | | moved to the left hand once a formal marriage |
| the ancient world has resulted in a landscape with | | | | ceremony is conducted by the Armenian church). The |
| innumerable fascinating archaeological sites to explore. | | | | customary time to wait for the marriage is about one |
| Medieval, Iron Age, Bronze Age and even Stone Age | | | | year. Unlike in other cultures, the man and his family |
| sites are all within a few hours drive from the city. All | | | | pay for the wedding. The planning and organization |
| but the most spectacular remain virtually undiscovered, | | | | process is usually done by the bride and groom to be. |
| allowing visitors to view churches and fortresses in | | | | |