Liana
Tashchyan

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in Yerevan, which is the capital city of one of the most ancient countries in the world, Armenia. It is well known for its history dating back to centuries, breathtaking mountainous landscapes, rich culture and exquisite cuisine. An interesting fact about Armenia is that it’s the first country in the world which adopted Christianity as a state religion. Therefore, here you can find numerous ancient monasteries and churches surrounded by marvellous nature.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

Just a two-hour drive from the capital lies the beautiful town of Dilijan. This is a place of undescribable beauty, surrounded by mountains and woods from all sides. This town warmly welcomes everybody who wants to take a break with a breath of fresh air in an incredibly beautiful environment.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

This is a complex, deep-rooted territorial issue with our neighbouring countries.

Unfortunately, the once great and powerful country of Armenia now finds itself in a complicated situation. We survived a tough war in 2020, and to be honest, it still takes a lot of effort and willpower to find the strength to move forward. Nevertheless, Armenia and our ancient people do not give up so easily. Every single Armenian living here and abroad believes that the best is yet to come, and we are putting all our strength and hard work into building this bright future.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

I’d rather start with the worse, which is, of course, the recent war that claimed the lives of my compatriots.

The good thing is perhaps the fact that our people once again showed their ability to unite, fight for their country and help each other.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Not only am I familiar with these local producers, but I also have close ties with many of them. I could list countless talented artists and craftspeople whom I know.

Armenia is rich in artisans… this applies to jewellery, ceramics and the fashion industry.

Above all, it is gratifying that many of my compatriots have recently started buying locally made products.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

I have noticed that Armenia is currently focusing on the IT sector. Centres for the development of this field are being opened not only in Yerevan, but throughout Armenia. Incidentally, they are completely free of charge for school-age children.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

I would particularly like to highlight Tsaghkunk restaurant and Glkhatun, which is just an hour’s drive from Yerevan.

The renowned British newspaper The Guardian published a list of 20 European restaurants that are a must-visit, based on the opinions of 20 chefs and food critics. The Tsaghkunk Restaurant and Glkhatun in Armenia made it onto this list. The chefs here are very creative in their dishes, gathering mushrooms and herbs from the surrounding hills, and there is also a traditional bakery with a clay oven where the most delicious Armenian flatbread — ‘lavash’ — is baked.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

We have some very good stores here that represent the exclusive works of Armenian designers. Two of them also feature my works. If you’re in Yerevan, be sure to visit these two places and you definitely won’t leave the stores without a nice purchase: MADE and 5 CONCEPT.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

—     Instagram

—      Picsart

—     WhatsApp

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

Nowadays it’s actually very easy to get the information you need. It’s enough to just subscribe to the desired pages on social networks that you trust.

Since I work in the fashion industry, I primarily follow the fashion shows and for me the best application for this is VOGUE RUNWAY.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

The first thing I would probably do would be to green the city in order to maintain and improve the quality of life in our city, as there have been fewer and fewer parks and green spaces in recent years. I would also introduce a law requiring new buildings to be constructed from pink tuff (a local rock) to ensure sustainability and preserve the city’s original appearance. Yerevan has always been known for its pink buildings, which are due to the special properties of pink tuff. This is why the city is also known as the ‘pink city’.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

Since my profession and my life are closely connected to art, I would probably choose Italy. I am very fond of this country because of its temperament and way of life. Italy’s rich culture and centuries-old history simply fascinate me.