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A pulpulak ( hy,
պուլպուլակ, ) is a public
water fountain
A drinking fountain, also called a water fountain or water bubbler, is a fountain designed to provide drinking water. It consists of a basin with either continuously running water or a tap. The drinker bends down to the stream of water and s ...
common in
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ...
and
Armenian
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...
-populated
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Artsakh, officially the Republic of Artsakh () or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (),, is a breakaway state in the South Caucasus whose territory is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Artsakh controls a part of the former N ...
. Pulpulaks are a significant part of the
Armenian culture
The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, architecture, dance, and music of the people.
Creative arts
Literature
Literature began in Armenia around 401 A.D. The majority of the literary ...
.
First pulpulaks appeared in the streets of
Yerevan
Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and ...
in 1920s and over time became extremely popular. Pulpulaks were and are often used by people to appoint meetings and by couples as dating locations.
Name
The word pulpulak is colloquial and derives from the sound of the murmuring of water "pul-pul", suffixed with "ak" (ակ), meaning "water source".
They are rarely referred to as tsaytaghbyur ( hy, ցայտաղբյուր), meaning "squirt spring".
Description
Pulpulaks are small, usually one meter tall, stone memorials with running water, often fed by a mountain spring.
Some pulpulaks are erected in memory of dead relatives. In drinking from a memorial pulpulak, passers by give their blessing to the person in memory of whom it is constructed. Memorial pulpulaks are related to
khatchkars.
Yotnaghbyur
Yotnaghbyur (Յոթնաղբյուր, meaning "seven springs") is the name of the famous pulpulak in Armenian capital
Yerevan
Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and ...
's
Republic Square. It was erected by Spartak Gndeghtsyan in 1965. The fountain was restored in 2008 by Moscow-based Armenian designer Nur.
Gallery
File:Пулпулак около церкви святой Богородицы Ка.jpeg, Pulpulak near the Katoghike church,Yerevan
File:Пулпулак в Гегарде.jpg, Pulpulak near the Geghard
Geghard ( hy, Գեղարդ, meaning "spear") is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protec ...
monastery.
File:Գյումրվա ցայտաղբյուր 03.jpg
File:Գյումրվա ցայտաղբյուր 01.jpg
File:Գյումրվա ցայտաղբյուր 02.jpg
File:Tsaytaghbyur in Norashen, Tavush.jpg
File:Vaikmemorialfountain-meta.jpg, Pulpulak in honor of an Armenian soldier killed in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War
File:Pulpulak on M-4 road.jpg, in Gegharkunik Province
Gegharkunik ( hy, Գեղարքունիք, ) is a province (''marz'') of Armenia. Its capital and largest city is Gavar.
Gegharkunik Province is located at the eastern part of Armenia, bordering Azerbaijan. It includes the exclave of Artsvash ...
File:Pulpulak in Bjni.JPG, in Bjni
Bjni ( hy, Բջնի), is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is situated in a valley between canyon walls and a small river. The village is one of the prominent centers of education and culture of ancient and medieval Armenia. It is ...
2014 Górski Karabach, Klasztor Gandzasar, Fontanna do picia.jpg, Pulpulak near the Gandzasar monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh.
See also
*
Khatchkars
A ''khachkar'', also known as a ''khatchkar'' or Armenian cross-stone ( hy, խաչքար, , խաչ xačʿ "cross" + քար kʿar "stone") is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, i ...
*
Armenian architecture
Armenian architecture comprises architectural works with an aesthetic or historical connection to the Armenians, Armenian people. It is difficult to situate this architectural style within precise geographical or chronological limits, but many of ...
References
{{reflist
Drinking fountains
Architecture in Armenia