I like the building, although it reminds me of ugly times.

Funnily it was probably one of the safest periods in Armenia's very long history. From being here all I've discovered is that it was pretty much endlessly invaded and shifting hands. From the Romans (Byzantine Empire), Persian Empire, Mongol Empire, Ottoman Empire. With additional conflicts with Iran, Georgia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan leading up to the creation of the Armenian SSR. It was only then that peace was effectively forced with Armenia and Azerbaijan under the same Union, and Turkey just eating up the entire west. And then once the USSR collapsed the troubles began again with the neighbours and it hasn't really stopped since.

I can see why the general perspective on the USSR here leans more on the positive side. There's definitely a lot of anxiety over the past century in particular that lingers. With the Armenian Genocide and then the more recent conflicts. A lot of uncertainty when most neighbours seem to be conspiring together again.