Incorrect Line Breaks in Posters Planned for September 21 in Gyumri

All events dedicated to Independence Day on September 21 will focus on Gyumri. The decision is from the Prime Minister, while the warm reception belongs to Gyumri.

However, there has been no clarity for a long time regarding who and what will organize within the framework of the celebrations and how that historic day will unfold in Gyumri. While that part of the ceremony was in the planning phase, Independence Day posters appeared in Gyumri, immediately drawing criticism from residents. Both large posters affixed to columns and those lined up along Rizhkov's alley have infuriated many Gyumri residents.

They are made with gross spelling mistakes, and the residents consider them illegible and excessively ugly. That there are spelling mistakes in the line breaks of the posters is a fact. No specialist of the Armenian language could justify, for instance, the line break of the word 'republic' as: հանր-ապետ-ությ-ուն. This line break does not comply with any rules of Armenian orthography. Similar posters with other such spelling errors are scattered throughout Gyumri.

No one in Gyumri is taking responsibility for either the non-publication or the posting of these posters. The entire function of the Independence Day celebration is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office. Why are there incorrect line breaks in the posters, and who authorized the printing of these posters? Lusine Dayan, assistant to the head of the Prime Minister's Office, answered the questions of the HJ. She said, if it has been confirmed, then it was an acceptable variant.

“Look at the spelling because it has been confirmed, and it is clear that it has been viewed by several people, and I hope no one thinks that those who looked at it and confirmed it do not have a grasp of Armenian spelling. It's simply more about a design solution because, if you noticed, there is a certain symmetry. I can say that, purely from an aesthetic point of view, if it has been confirmed, then it has been an acceptable variant. Of course, I wouldn't call it a problem, but yes, the same dashes are missing in the line breaks. The poster was considered festival-like. In the case of the 28th, the number 8 is in the shape of a pomegranate, and there is a round cinematographic wheel, or a wheel that represents Gyumri. This branding is more youthful, and the event itself is refreshing, a bit different in format, so we decided to step a bit outside the standard,” said the assistant to the head of the Prime Minister's Office.

Lusine Dayan does not see any issue with the posters. At the same time, she notes that since she is not the author, she cannot provide a more detailed answer to the questions. One thing is clear: the author has presented it, and the Prime Minister's Office has confirmed it. The author of the posters is William Karapetian, who also created the posters for the Golden Apricot 2019 International Film Festival.

Did you know there were such complaints in Gyumri regarding the misspelled and illegible posters? The assistant to the head of the Prime Minister's Office responded that they have heard, but they have also heard good opinions. “The feedback was not unambiguous, as is always the case with such branding. There was a similar issue during Citizen's Day. Design is such a thing that cannot be uniformly perceived by everyone; currently, there are people in Yerevan saying it's illegible and incomprehensible, while there were responses from Gyumri saying it is very good. Based on the information received, it is not that the majority says it is very bad.”

Between very good and very bad, orthography does not fit in. If posters with very poor designs but correct line breaks were posted in Gyumri, the dissatisfaction would probably not be as high as it is now. The responsible person assures that a discussion will take place in the coming days, during which all arising questions will be clarified.

Overall, extensive events will be held in Gyumri on September 21. They will also be organized and implemented by the Prime Minister's Office. Lilit Tovmasyan, head of the Culture Division of the Gyumri Municipality, told HJ that they have a purely advisory function this time. They only guide on what can be done on which street and which artists, ensembles, and bands can be invited.

The festive activities will begin at 11:00. Well-known bars and cafes from Yerevan will present themselves in separate pavilions in the central park of Gyumri from 11:00 to 23:00. The park will be particularly interesting for fans of vinyl and electronic music. From 12:00 to 17:00, the works and creations of well-known craftsmen and artists from Gyumri will be showcased on Shahumyan Street. From the same hour until 23:00, renowned restaurants and food spots from Gyumri will present themselves in separate pavilions on Abovyan Street. “There will also be a small alcohol pavilion, which belongs not to Gyumri but to Proshyan; however, the Gyumri Beer Factory will also be present. That is, all those pavilions related to food will be represented by 99 percent from Gyumri,” said someone responsible from the Prime Minister's Office.

All provinces of Armenia will have the opportunity to represent their character on Rustaveli Street. Besides Rustaveli, Shirak Province will also present itself with its separate pavilions on Abovyan Street. On that day, a wide variety of music styles from classical to rock will resound in the historic core of the city and in the Dramatic Plaza. Well-known bands, choirs, solo performers, and musicians from the republic will participate in the Independence Day celebration. Vardanants Square will turn into a children's village, where children can paint and have fun.

“We have tried to maximally involve Gyumri's artists and ensembles, both on the classical platform and in rock and national song and music segments. That is, all those stages where it was possible to include Gyumri, it has been done. Culturally, we are collaborating closely with the Culture Division of the municipality to ensure maximum participation of Gyumri,” presented the agenda Lusine Dayan.

At the “October” cinema, the documentary film “Great Expectations” by Gyumri film director Sona Simonian will be screened, and a photography exhibition dedicated to the Independence of the Republic of Armenia will be showcased at the Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery. At the Shiraz House-Museum, there will be a public discussion on the theme of “Vision on the Harmonious Development of Communities” with the participation of political, social, and cultural figures. The Independence Day celebrations in Gyumri will conclude with a gala concert at Vardanants Square featuring “Supacooks” (Armenia), “Dole & Kom” (Germany), and “Capital Cities” (USA).

Will the train from Yerevan to Gyumri and vice versa operate an extraordinary flight and will leave after midnight, as was done during the “Gyumri Day” celebration? The question did not receive a clear answer. There has been such a discussion, but no clarification. It will become clear in the coming days.

Gyumri is preparing for the celebration with great responsibility despite everything. Road construction is ongoing with great momentum, and all possibilities for hotels, guesthouses, and overnight stays have been coordinated.