This year the British Embassy celebrated the UK’s national holiday – the Queen’s Birthday Party - at Lover’s Park, a beautiful landscaped park on Baghramyan Avenue, just in front of the Embassy building.

Famous jazzman Armen Martirosyan’s band, comfortably situated on one of the park’s “islands” welcomed the honoured guests. Excellent jazz music accompanied the whole event, pausing only once for the speech of HMA Charles Lonsdale:

“Welcome to this party to mark the 83rd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. This day is a chance for us to celebrate the central role of the Monarchy in Britain. The power of monarch – and the shape of the country – has changed enormously over the last 1500 years. But the Monarch is still the symbol of Britain’s unity. And The Queen personifies ideas and values at the heart of our society, including that no-one is above the law; that British citizens may choose their governments freely and fairly; that everything not illegal is permitted; that our society is based on tolerance and respect; and that Britain values its past but also looks forward… Ladies and Gentlemen, please raise your glasses for a toast to The Queen”.

The speech was followed by traditional treats. Marriott’s a-la fourchette delicacies got a more British flavour with Scottish smoked salmon and English Stilton cheese, transported from UK for this occasion. The food was matched ideally with the traditional British drink called Pimm’s. The secret of the Pimm’s recipe was owed to Deputy Head of Mission Gideon Dewhirst.

The idea of celebrating Queen’s Birthday in the park was welcomed by all guests. As the Ambassador mentioned, we were fortunate to have so close to our Embassy a green outdoor space, which has not yet been overwhelmed by concrete and cafes. “We are all learning, perhaps too slowly, the vital need to treasure and protect the wonderful natural resources we have, both in cities and more widely”, he said.

The guests also had a chance to appreciate what is known as “typical British weather”. However, even the rain could not stop the celebration, and the guests continued in pleasant conversation under the tents.
The Queen’s Birthday Party at Lover’s Park symbolised the wish to do something a little different but still respect tradition.

Please click here to see the photogallery.

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