By Ivan Gharibyan

No sooner had Yerevan residents rejoiced at the tremendous work the Yerevan Municipality has carried out to give the city a festive appearance than they had to recall the saying “we tried our best, you know the rest.”

The Yerevan authorities’ idiocy was once more manifested following Latvian President Valdis Zalters’ visit to Armenia. And it was not until he left Armenia that the previous developments became obvious. According to the Yerevan Mayor, December 10 and 11 are nearer to the New Year than December 12 or 13. The explanation is a simple one: on December 10 and 11 the Yerevan center was decorated with new illuminations in good taste – quite strange a thing for modern-day Armenia. But, the day after the high-level Latvian delegation left Armenia, the enjoyment was over for the Yerevan residents. The illuminations were switched off, and we cannot say when the Yerevan Mayor will deign to create a festive mood in Yerevan – at least in the city center – once again. We suppose it will happen on the New Year eve. As NEWS.am correspondents report, lighting has been off in the yards of the Yerevan center since December 11. With a rueful grin we can say that, by switching off the lighting in the yards, the Yerevan Municipality is trying to make up for the energy consumed during the Latvian delegation’s visit.

No one demands that the Yerevan center be illuminated from the first third of December on. However, the illuminations were switched on on December 10 and 11 and should not have been switched off later, with yards plunged into darkness.

Well, what is the reason for the Yerevan authorities’ strange behavior? May be it was their wish to show their “closeness” to Europe to the Latvian President, who promised his help in Armenia’s integration with the European Union? On December 25 night the EU is celebrating Christmas, and the New Year decorations are normally ready late in November. The Yerevan authorities showed a crude style of work, which left an aftertaste. We would advise Armenian officials not to seek integration with Europe for show.

T.P.