Baku and Yerevan welcome 2022

Baku

The traditional New Year's fair "Cold Hands, Warm Hearts" reopened in Baku after two years of not operating. The bustle of life before the pandemic has returned to the city.

The Christmas tree at the fair this year is "branded", which does not make it any less popular

"Masha" from the cartoon "Masha and the Bear" poses on Fountain Square all year round, unlike Santa Claus and the Snowman, but now they are working in tandem

A large cube with plates attached to it is intended for New Year's wishes, but all sorts of things are written on it - names, school numbers, requests like “don't erase my inscription”. It is very clear that people have something to say - there is no more free space on the "wish cube"

Mostly local producers are represented at the fair. They sell everything from fried potatoes to washing powder

The most important part of the New Year's atmosphere is lighting. Therefore, the difference in the density of the crowd in the evening and during the day is colossal - even on weekends

Chestnuts and potatoes have become a semi-official holiday snack in Baku

Even those who did not like all this New Year's "noise", admitted that it was unusual and unpleasant for them to see the city empty on New Year's Eve during the quarantine. And now the holidays are back

Another topic is being discussed on social media these days: "A country in which almost 3,000 people have recently died in the war should not celebrate the 'Christian' New Year." But there is no less stormy criticism than such opinions

YEREVAN

Days leading up to New Year in Yerevan, as everywhere, are busy - people are in a hurry to shop

2021 in Armenia will be remembered as a difficult year. The country is recovering after the difficult outcome of the 44-day war with Azerbaijan (September 27-November 9), dozens of soldiers remain in captivity. But, while celebrating the New Year, everyone wants it to be peaceful and kind

One of the most popular souvenir shops in Yerevan is very crowded

For those tired of shopping, cafes are available to provide some space for a short break

Buying gifts for friends and loved ones is an emotional activity. Optics shops in the center of Yerevan sell women's frames, and most of buyers are men

For several years now, on the eve of New Year and Christmas, a nativity scene has been set up near the St. Anna Church on Abovyan Street - a reproduction of the Nativity scene when the wise men, led by a star, came to worship the baby Jesus

On Swan Lake near the building of the Opera House a skating rink is set up

Souvenirs are sold even from the trunk of an old yellow Soviet "Zaporozhets"

It has become a tradition in Yerevan to organize New Year's fairs, where local producers sell their products - these fairs are always a success

Happy New Year!

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