One of the most distinct features of Armenia is its past. It's something that's deeply rich throughout various eras of time. From Roman architecture to the Soviet Union. And while each of these things are scattered throughout the nation in various forms, the most obvious thing to take note of is the heavy reliance on yester-century's cars. During the Soviet Union, to no surprise, much of the republics needed to up its private transport capabilities to meet the standard that was being seen in the west. In a communist nation, getting a car was a difficulty due to numerous factors: the mere fact of purchasing a car and having private property. The generally slow production of cars that came with much of the Soviet Union's industry relying more on its production of vital goods and exports rather than the luxuries of its citizens (the Soviet bus station concept and design gained much fame throughout the years simply due to the higher demand for public transport rather than private). I can't fail to mention the process in which people had to apply and join a waiting list to purchase one with a plethora of paperwork and heads it all went through. But as the years went on, this did improve and certain cars did begin to take to the streets with a bit more ease.
These cars vary from period, ranging from the 1950s to the 90s. And even today, Armenians love the newer models from the famous Lada company; some being more Sedan-like, and others having their own strange form that you won't see elsewhere in the world. In Georgia you may see some of these cars here and there, but they mostly are found sitting in car parks by apartments, abandoned over decades and coated in dust, holding burst tires, and rust. It's important to note that Armenians are generally a little more on the poorer side compared to others in the region, and this does contribute slightly to the reliance on some of these older models of vehicles. Though there is one other reason: Armenians tend to take great pride in their belongings, and these are considered items that can work forever. There's no need to replace what can't be fixed. And so it's also incredibly common to see the most rundown cars roaming the streets: some missing doors, some having various bits of patchwork done to turn them into a Frankenstein's Monster type of vehicle. Some cars look almost brand new where others have been pieced together from other cars of different colours over the years to keep those wheels moving. And lastly: some of this also comes from Armenia's generally low road safety regulations.
Most of the cars featured in these photographs are admittedly the famous Lada. There are a few models of these cars, though they mostly look quite alike. Probably the most famous car of the Soviet Union, with a box-style to its shape, somewhat resembling that cartoonish car look. First released during the 1970s with other models coming in around the 1980s. Though there's also the Moskvich which came decades before from another company. Ranging from the 1940s and onward. One car having a slight similarity to the Lada in some regards. Though their more famous ones look a bit older, similar to that of the wider and longer cars of the United States' cars from the same era. These things are everywhere in Armenia, and you'll find yourself counting them one after the other through the more isolated roads of the country. But still very much found throughout the nation's capital, Yerevan. If you're more lucky, then you might see something a bit older, like a GAZ-13 or variation of the van UAZ family. I'm sure I'll end up writing a post about those too sometime. I think a nation's present can say a lot when it holds so much history in its everyday vehicles seen throughout the streets. Whether they're more modern and electric, or these fun boxes that somehow chug along.
Spending eight months in Armenia last year had me creating quite a collection of Lada photographs in particular. Though these images are all from one drive from Tbilisi to Yerevan. A trip through the mountains and seeing the various farmland and rural life. It felt like I was returning home again. Where culture and traditions are visible wherever the eye can see. That is Armenia.