Armenia Visit 2022
Golden autumn of Armenia, thru the lens of Ani
Generally, September is the busiest month of the year for Armenia with the Golden AUTUMN and Yerevan, in particular, being as lively, attractive, contemporary, and ancient – at the same time – as any major European city. Though I don t think there is a European city or capital that celebrated its 2800th anniversary as Yerevan did in 2018. Upon my arrival at the airport, I noticed huge announcements about Science and Arts Festival, then I found out about the major event taking place in the bustling capital, Yerevan. Thanks to STARMUS VI, Yerevan is enjoying more than ever visitors and tourists great multitude.
Why was Armenia chosen for STARMUS VI, a world-scale Science – Arts and Music Festival, and for celebrating the 50th anniversary of MARS3 and MARINER9 missions? https://www.starmus.com/why-armenia
After you browse thru the web pages of STARMUS VI, you can enjoy a video of an energetic teacher/trainer leading the children’s choir – a lot more than a choir, with their synched dances – and what is special about this children’s choir? The kids are from the same region as our Hintliyan Gayan Avan. Empowered by the region’s Diocese, this young group of music enthusiasts makes me say “I have a dream, for one day in the future, our Hintliyan students might live a similar joy and make the school’s name heard all over the world.” https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=5448762711879608
KHACHKARS
Most of the 40,000 khachkars (cross stones) in the world are in the Republic of Armenia. Many years ago, before visiting Armenia in 2015, I read in a book that “no two khachkars are alike,” and I could not believe it. I don’t remember when I started taking photos of khachkars and keeping an online photo album as if I had to prove it couldn’t be true. My collection of photos has multiplied, and to this day, I haven’t seen two khachkars that are alike. What kind of mystery is this?
I know that the stone carvers are inspired by the:
- region they are from
- master who has taught them the stone carving
- tradition inherited from the family
- request of the client who has hired the craftsman to create the khachkar
Whatever the inspiration, khachkars are characteristic of medieval Christian Armenian art. As memorial stones, khachkars play an important role in the spiritual upbringing of every Armenian.
Spiritual Restoration and Rehabilitation Center
Capital cities of the world offer a variety of opportunities, remedies, solutions, and supplies for all kinds of needs, and so does Yerevan. Medical specialists, scientists, engineers, famous artists, and musicians live and work in Yerevan… also the best universities and hospitals of Armenia are in Yerevan, i.e. Nairi Medical Center – the top cancer treatment center of Armenia.
Today there is an exception to that rule, Tavoush Region (rural North Eastern part of Armenia) is now home to the ‘Spiritual Restoration and Rehabilitation Center’ for Child Cancer patients and their families. The center was founded by Lusi Balyan in memory of her late brothers Antranig and Ohannes JemJemian.
The opening ceremony of the center was led by Bishop Pakrat, Prelat of Tavoush Diocese, who blessed the benefactors, engineers, project managers, and the mission undertaken.
Komitas Museum Institute
Komitas Museum Institute (closed on Wednesdays)
I visited the next day, Thursday, Sept 15th, there were 2 student groups with their teachers and chaperones. Staying a few steps away I listened to the museum guide’s questions to the children and was amazed at how much the 9-10-year-olds knew even before that day’s visit to the Museum. I looked for photos or docs of my grandaunt’s husband the composer, Vagharshag Servantziands who was 1 of the 5 students of Gomidas Vartabed and I took the photo that you will find in the gallery.
The 2nd student group was seated at the concert hall with the museum guide also seated with some ancient musical instruments she started by the gods of music and art in Greek Mythology and the lyre and the flute or the different objects ancient people used to make the sounds of today’s drums.
Inside I had goosebumps listening to some recordings of Gomidas’ voice and examining the beautiful handwritten explanations and musical notes and his talks in German while studying in Germany, his articles, and his letters to students, colleagues, poets, and clergy.
Outside was another series of goosebumps trying to stay in the shade while taking photos and enjoying the nice breeze and listening to the autumn leaves’ continuous symphony. I never saw so many memorial statues of famous people in a memorial garden with such intricate stone (marble, onyx) work. I knew some of the names like William Saroyan, and Hovannes Tumanyan but many were important people of the 1800s 1900s who either took part in Armenian Literature, Art, Music, Theater, Journalism, Scientific works, and the city planning of Erepuni>Yerevan.
Visit the Komitas Museum Institute website
Vardanyan Park
I am going to miss this brand new ‘oasis’ in the middle of the 2803-year-old city. Instead of doing shortcuts to get home to Mesrob Mashdots, I passed thru the 2800th anniversary-Vardanyan Park morning and night since Takuhi introduced me to it. I laughed with laughing kids, thanked in my heart for this priceless gift of the Vardanyan family, admired the water, and imagined being at a seashore in this landlocked city and country.
https://www.yerevan.am/en/news/erewani-2800-amyaki-aygin-bats-vel-e/
Armenian Diaspora Survey
I also attended a presentation on the “Armenian Diaspora survey.”
«Ի՞նչ է մտածում Սփյուռքը 21-րդ դարում» հետազոտությունների արդյունքների ներկայացում՝ նվիրված Սփյուռքի կյանքին առնչվող առանցքային թեմաների (ինքնություն, լեզու, մշակույթ, եկեղեցի, հասարակական կյանք և Հայաստանի հետ կապեր) քննարկմանը։
According to the survey which was completed over five years, one of the five pillars for the preservation of a nation is its language.
5th Genealogy Conference
I don t know how to thank the founder, George Aghjayan, and ALL who made the 5th Armenian Genealogy Conference possible, this year in Yerevan (such a coincidence that it took place during the month I spent in Yerevan) at AUA (American University of Armenia), researchers, historians, archivists who came to share the latest data in archives, census records, church registries and so on…
As George Aghjayan emphasized, “time is running out.” We are already late for DNA testing and he urged that higher numbers of Armenians get tested for DNA, which will enable more people and more families to connect and find long-lost relatives in distant parts of the world.
Alvard, Irina, and Asya, three graduates of Hintliyan Gayan Avan, came alongside me with big curiosity and had their DNA tests done for free at the end of the two-day conference.
Armenian Genealogy Conference announces preliminary agenda
I arrived in Yerevan on September 8, 2022, seven years after the unforgettable Hayasdan trip we had undertaken with 30 participants. This time, I visited Hintliyan Gayan Avan School, bringing along my gift of a pingpong table and its accessories. I toured the yard, the gym hall, the computer room, the kindergarten, sewing and crafts rooms, and more. Closer to my return day, I gathered with the teachers and school employees for breakfast in Ijevan. We exchanged gifts while discussing the current school agenda. My aim on this trip was to continue fostering the established bond with the current students and nurture this community to keep the Hintliyan spirit alive.
Continuing with my sightseeing of Haghartzin, Ijevan, and Abovyan Kaghak, I lost count of the number of churches, monasteries, and chapels I visited. While I could comprehend that the financial, diplomatic, and touristic center of Armenia is the capital, Yerevan, the disparity between Yerevan and the major cities of Armenia, as well as the gap between the regions of Shirak and Ararat, and Gegharkunik and Tavush, is so significant that reflecting, meditating, and seeking answers left me exhausted by the end of my visits.
During my time in Yerevan, I used the metro and Yandex (the Uber of the Western world) to navigate the streets and avenues of the capital and to visit as many museums as possible. I felt overwhelmed by the influx of Ukrainians and Russians, who were evidently more well-off compared to the locals of Yerevan. Before heading back home, I ensured that I inquired about charity assistance in order to purchase a new school bus for Hintliyan Gayan Avan. I approached Viva MTS (the telecommunication giant of Armenia), Peace Corps, World Vision, YWAM, etc. However, I either couldn’t secure a meeting with the key person while others had changed their contribution policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farewell Breakfast with Teachers
Our get-together with Gayan Avan principal, teachers, and helpers took place two days before my return. We broke bread together, I thanked God for being able to make it to Armenia during the Ukraine-Russia war and during attacks at the borders of Armenia, the loss of life, and the constant fear of security and safety issues. We discussed the possibility of changes to implement at the school, exchanged presents, took photos, and said farewells until we meet again.
