Armenian Architects In The World: Gyulizar Jonian

Interview by Karine Avagyan

Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, in association with the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers, starting a new series entitled “Armenian Architects in the World”, which is aimed at presenting the activities of the pan-Armenian association, as well as the members and activities of the Association’s representations based in different countries around the world.

Gyulizar Jonian: “I am leaving with the desirable feeling of joy of returning to the Homeland”

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Jonian, what is the purpose of your visit to the Homeland? Were you in Armenia to participate in the events dedicated to Independence of the Republic of Armenia and enjoy the colors of autumn in Armenia, or were you here simply because you had a longing for the country?

Gyulizar Jonian: Both. We have always aspired to visit Armenia at least twice a year-once in April to pay our respects to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and again in September to attend the events dedicated to Independence Day. As far as autumn is concerned, my father, Grigor Jonian, who was a painter and sculptor, loved the colors of autumn and would always bring leaves home (we lived in Iraq) and say “this is also nice, but the leaves in Armenia are something else…” We travel the world very often, but we always try to visit Armenia first.

Karine Avagyan: You are an architect, the president of the women’s coordinating council in Abu Dhabi and a businesswoman. You also publish children’s books. Which is more important for you and in which sphere do you think you are more successful?

1. J.: I am one of the founding members of the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers (PAAAE), the co-chairs of the coordinating council of which are Vahe and Kohar Toutounjian and Ashot Grigoryan. Of course, I am an architect by profession. After obtaining aBSCdegree in my hometown of Baghdad, I continued my studies in London, but I worked by my profession, was active in the community and had my own business at the same time. I am still active in the community and still have my business. Architecture is very close to my heart. Even if I didn’t become an architect, I would still be more than happy that I studied architecture because it taught me how to see colors, lines and patterns and even taught me about music. For me, architecture is a “colorful sound”, a painting, a sculpture and nature…Architecture has helped me a lot in other fields. Although I love my profession, when I was in my prime, I became engaged in the field of management and showed my abilities. I love to create and manage projects. I love to be busy and choose difficult paths. I attach great importance to the role of women in society, politics and business and have always thought of ways of helping women progress. Women can work anywhere, help their husbands and families, but they also need to move forward and become engaged in community service. They need to learn how to have the will of a leader and have rhetoric. Upon desire, Armenian women can achieve all this. I receive many invitations to speak at congresses where I explain how women can grow and progress. In Armenia, I have also participated in the meetings of theArmenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) and have been a guest speaker. This is also a good idea, but it is more socially oriented. However, I give preference to the issues of women wishing to move forward. If a woman, especially an Armenian woman is strong and is spiritually powerful and can do a lot, why shouldn’t she achieve progress? Indeed, it is hard, but I think it’s not difficult in Armenia. Look, 30 percent of the ministers in the United Arab Emirates are women. In Armenia, the ministers are mostly men. In Abu Dhabi, the parliamentary speaker is a woman, and an architect at that. Yes, I also publish children’s books. For the past two years, my daughter, Annoushka (my daughter studied business management and is now the director of a large medical center) and I have been running another company that is in charge of organizing various kinds of events and initiatives. If one undertakes an initiative, he has to focus entirely on that, finish it and then move on to the next one.

Karine Avagyan: Let’s talk about the field of architecture. Do you think Armenia preserves the traditions of Armenian architecture? What are your suggestions? What changes would you make in the field?

1. J.: In response to your first question, I would say yes and no. The traditions of Armenian architecture are not preserved everywhere. I get emotional when I see old, beautiful and patterned buildings in poor conditions when I walk on the streets. Then, I notice new buildings and see a big difference between the old and the new. There is no delicate harmony. In England, if you want to renovate something, you are even provided with the paints, if the color is not acceptable. So, the field is regulated. Nobody has the right to and can’t change the structure of yards and streets according to his or her taste…Traditional Armenian architectural buildings could be and should be preserved in Yerevan and in other cities and provinces outside Yerevan as museum samples and historic buildings. This is also one of the best ways of promoting tourism. We need to do whatever we can to preserve at least the frontal parts of old and beautiful structures by renovating the interior. You can’t amaze foreigners with new buildings that are often built in inappropriate places, covering a good view or a beautiful building.

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Jonian, you have toured the world, lived and worked in different countries and seen the works of art created by different civilizations. Which is your favorite architecture at the global level?

1. J.: Greek, Italian and British architectures are beautiful, but for me, the most beautiful architecture is Armenian architecture. I have seen many beautiful buildings and marvelous historic and cultural monuments in the world, but it seems as though Armenian historic and cultural monuments are not made by hand. There is a spirit within them…Geghard Monastery is so symbolic! The repository of ancient manuscripts (Matenadaran) is so marvelous! I liked the new building of the Municipality a lot because thecoloris beautiful, and it has decorations. The Armenian tuff stone offers so many opportunities! It allows us to build structures with our own architectural solutions. We definitely need to use the elements of traditional Armenian architecture in a way that they are in line with the new when constructing buildings. The architecture of every nation needs to be used in the particular environment. For instance, Armenian architecture, better yet, its characteristics, can’t be characteristic of countries of the Near East.

Karine Avagyan: Do you like the architecture in the United Arab Emirates, that is, the eye-striking buildings built within the sands? How would you assess them as an architect?

1. J.: Of course, they are very modern. I was the first to create the design with glass. In the beginning, not many people liked it, but now, it is accepted. I don’t like all the buildings in the UAE. There are many tasteful buildings, and there are also bad ones. If a building is slanted, another is round and another is rectangular, that still doesn’t mean that those buildings are beautiful. They are often similar to each other.

Karine Avagyan: What is the Women in Abu Dhabi organization do?

1. J.: In Abu Dhabi, theInternational Business Women’s Group (IBWG)consolidates businesswomen and helps them grow as individuals in society, politics and business. They communicate and consult with each other. There are women of different nationalities. We organize an event once or twice a year and invite experts who give lectures devoted to topics of women’s interest. There are about 20 business groups in Abu Dhabi, but they are co-ed. Our organization is only a women’s organization. Every March, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, we hold a large event and banquet and celebrate the day with other business groups. They also participate in those events under our sponsorship. The participants give very interesting speeches. As the director, I am invited to participate in meetings to explain how women can be encouraged in their initiatives. I must say that my job is on voluntary basis.

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Jonian, you came to Armenia in the first month of autumn in Armenia and satisfied your longing for Armenia. What do you wish Armenia, which has been independent for 25 years now?

1. J.: For us Armenians, independence was a dream. I wish my Homeland the best-peace, prosperity and a powerful economy. I wish the youth of Armenia stay in the country.It is the duty ofall of us to maintain and protect our 25-year-old Independent Armenia.

Karine Avagyan: You enjoyed the colors of autumn in the Homeland, particularly in Yerevan and participated in the Independence Day celebration. What will you be leaving with?

1. J.: I will be leaving with longing, warmth and the desirable feeling of joy of returning to the Homeland.