The idea of writing this article came to me spontaneously during a talk with a Norwegian tour leader whom I was guiding in Yerevan. As I always do with Norwegians, I started speaking about the Nobel Laureate and Norwegian arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen. This way I tried to express my gratitude to this great humanitarian who saved 320,000 Armenians by granting them special “Nansen” passports issued by the League of Nations that enabled the stateless refugees of the Armenian Genocide to move without obstacles & settle in their countries.
I have read somewhere that this document was a foundation of modern-day refugee care. Moreover, Nansen visited Armenia in 1925 to conduct a research on creating an irrigation project that would irrigate and cultivate the Sardarapad dessert, allowing 50,000 refugees to resettle there. But unfortunately, the project was not funded.
As you can see, Nansen has such a big importance for us that we can’t miss his statue in Yerevan. The fact that, with growing numbers of refugees, the world needs such dedicated humanitarians more than ever, makes this place very special. I walk with each Norwegian I meet to the statue of Nansen, who I am sure saved the grandparents of many people dear to me. The statue was inaugurated in 2011 and the granddaughter of Nansen, Marit Greve, now 90, was present in the official ceremony.
I hope that in the near future the world will not need such philanthropists, but as long as we need them desperately, we should remember and honor them.
Isahakyan poxoc 33
AMD
free
Explore Yerevan like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Yerevan guide.
"The Green Bean Cafe" in Yerevan is a place I go to for meeting someone fast or when I need somewhere quiet to work. Great vegetarian & vegan food!
By
It truly is a Soviet masterpiece considering its unique design and build: it is part metro station, part cavern and, once upon a time, part cafe.
By
"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
By
The "Open Air Cinema" in Yerevan in Moscow Cinema has a rich history, and Soviet ruin-porn enthusiasts can access the building all-year round, too!
By
By
"Hanrapetutyan Street" in Yerevan is one of the most central in the city, yet there is so much to see here. The buildings are really beautiful and old...
By
"Ardēan": a center for art, architecture and design that has its gallery shop on Abovyan street in Yerevan. I like how they combine technology & tradition.
By
The "Mermaids of the Underground" in Yerevan is a sculpture from 1981. The mermaids wear nothing but their hair, which was quite unusual for its time...
By
The "Komitas Museum" in Yerevan is one of my favorite ones in the city. It gets me thinking about what Armenian music really is about...
By
"Shengavit" is an impressive 6000-year-old settlement which is preserved even better than Yerevan's old town! It was an accidental discovery in the 1930s.
By
"Melancholia" is a statue in Yerevan that truly expresses the feeling that has been increasingly affecting humankind in the last century...
By
The "Cross-stone Makers" in Yerevan follow a tradition that goes back to 879 AD. The masters' metal tools on the stone create a meditative sound for me...
By
142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters