Visiting Yerevan isn’t the easiest thing in the world, so you better pick up plenty of mementos to bring home with you. Tradition is at the front of queue — with food playing a major role there — before the sweeping chaos of modernity brings up the rear, although the whole souvenir scene does manage to stay undeniably Armenian. You could pack an entire case full of souvenirs from these parts.
Cognac
When the French are giving you permission to call something cognac, it must be good. The story of ArArAt brandy began in 1887 and it has been perched at the top of the tree when it comes to quality spirits ever since, so good that it gained a reputation as the spirit of Kings and Emperors. Churchill was a big fan. Pick up a bottle of the fine stuff when in town.
You know what, we’re going to go ahead and say that you should try to buy Mount Ararat. Worth a go, right? The 5,137m high mountain won’t fit into your hand luggage, your checked luggage, any kind of luggage, but boy is it a beaut. If you don’t managed to pay cash for the resting place of Noah’s Ark, consider picking up a souvenir with the famous peak on it. A postcard, a magnet, a badge, a pair of oven gloves, condoms, shirts, you know the drill.
Khachkar
The chances of purchasing an actual khachkar are slim but you’ll find plenty of miniatures in the markets of Yerevan. These UNESCO protected stone carvings have been created since forever ago and often display quite sublime craftsmanship, delicately honouring time, place, people and spirit. Khachkars are too spiritual to be relegated to mere fireplace fodder, but beggars can’t be choosers and all that jazz.
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