A BRIEF REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF RESEARCH ON ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 2005
The purpose of Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA) NGO is to investigate and document Armenian architectural monuments located outside the borders of the present-day Republic of Armenia, i.e. in Cilicia and Historical Armenia (most of the latter's territory has formed part of its neighbouring countries since World War I), as well as in the adjacent countries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and the historical Armenian Diaspora. The organization also has the objective of presenting the Armenian society and international community publications on them.
The problem is the same everywhere: it is necessary to take photographs of the monuments and have them fixed onto maps, thus saving them at least on paper before their final annihilation. With this goal in mind, RAA started research about 30 years ago in an area larger than the present-day Republic of Armenia, the entire work being carried out by a few devotees who had to confine themselves to the highly limited financial means they had at their disposal, being sometimes obliged to face rather dangerous conditions. Eye-witness to the planned destruction of the Armenian architectural monuments, each year we are confronted with the difficult choice of prioritizing our targets and deciding where to focus our efforts. The final decision, however, is always dependent on financial resources and different political obstacles.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN WESTERN ARMENIA
During a trip to Western Armenia that lasted from July to August 2005 (RAA group comprised 7 members) research was implemented into the historical monuments located in Gyavash, Arjak, Khoshab and Timar Districts, Van Province, as well as Khut, Brnashen, Basen and other districts, Sasun Province. Photographs were taken of numerous villages, monuments and sights, with a great number of lapidary inscriptions found and deciphered. The group also took some video films.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN TAYK, TURKEY
From August till September, Giorgio Bawai, one of RAA's European partners, conducted some investigation in Tayk (an area in north-eastern Turkey) together with his wife.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN ARTSAKH (KARABAKH)
In late March 2005, RAA carried out some studies in the monument of Khatravank situated west of Khunkutala Village, Martakert District, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh: apart from measurements and photography, a great number of inscriptions were found and deciphered there.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN NAKHICHEVAN, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
In the summer of 2005, the organization sponsored Scottish researcher Stephen Sim to make a trip to Nakhichevan, where the Azeri authorities turned out to have annihilated the historical cemetery of Jugha as well as the monasteries of Shorot and Aprakunis. Mr. Sim did not manage to obtain any further details concerning the fate of the local Armenian monuments due to his untimely banishment from the country.
According to the inhabitants of Karjevan Village, Meghri Region, Syunik Marz, RA, a great number of churches and monasteries have been levelled with the ground in Agulis, Goghtan District, Nakhichevan.
RESTORATION IN DADIVANK
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The monastic complex of Dadivank consists of 10 religious structures, including 4 churches, 6 chapels and numerous other buildings. Its Katoghike (1214), i.e. the main domed church of the complex, the main church dating back to 1211, the porch (1224), the belfry (1283), the vestibule (1283-1293), the hall and dwellings as well as the refectory and kitchen founded after 1211, the guest-chamber, the wine press, the cellar, the princely quarters and the chapel, all tracing back to the 13th century, the portico, the gates and some other rooms (13th to 14th centuries) bear the remarkable features of Artsakh architectural school. Most of these buildings have survived but until very recently they were in a state of decay and even in emergency condition.
The restoration carried out in this monument complex is of great significance from the standpoint of the preservation of the sanctuary which stands as an eloquent proof of the Armenians' existence in that land. During the year the restoration of the Katoghike (the main domed church of the complex) was accomplished, the work being sponsored by Edil Hovnanian, USA. The zhamatun (13th century) of Dadivank Complex is a rare specimen of architecture. Its restoration began in August 2004 and was completed in 2005 under the patronage of Edik Abrahamian, Teheran, Iran. |
| The year 2005 also marked the beginning and completion of the restoration of the belfry of the complex through the financial means donated by Margret Hakhnazarian. Dadivank Complex, which is one of the most important monuments of Armenian architecture, has all the possibilities for future functioning. |
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The monastic complex of Ushi's St. Sargis is located half a km west of Ushi Village, 5 kms north of Ashtarak City, Aragatzotn Marz (Region), at an altitude of 1,410 metres above sea level. Built between the 5th and 18th centuries, it was reduced to ruins by the earthquakes of 1679 and 1827.
The only surviving structure of the complex, the chapel erected over St. Sargis' grave, is in emergency condition and bears the traces of repairs periodically carried out there. It represents a single-nave vaulted monument of finely-finished basalt and has a gable roof.
| The foundation of the chapel (exterior dimensions: 5.8 x 8 metres) is traditionally connected with Commander Sargis, the prince of Cappadocia (361-363), who was banished by Emperor Julian and found haven in Armenian king Arshak's court. Leaving for Persia, War-Lord Sargis served in king Shapuh's army, but he was soon beheaded on the latter's order for preaching Christianity. He was buried in the village town of Namyan, Mazandaran Province: in the first decade of the 5th century, a delegation led by St. Mesrop moved St. Sargis' remains to Armenia, interring them on an elevation not far from Ushi Village. The monastic complex, which occupies a territory of 45 x 54 metres, consists of the following buildings: St. Sargis Chapel, Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church, a vestibule, a belfry, a refectory, monks' rooms, a vaulted guest-chamber, some utility rooms and habitable ones, all of them surrounded by ramparts fortified by circular, double-storied towers in the corners. |
The restoration of St. Sargis Monastery began in the spring of 2004 and was completed in the spring of 2005.
The church built over St. Sargis' grave is an important pilgrimage site not only for the Armenian Apostolic believers but also for the Catholics and the followers of the Orthodox Church.
APPROVAL OF RESTORATION PROJECTS
In 2005 the Scientific Council of the Monuments Preservation Agency, RA, approved the restoration projects of Hovhannavank, Aragatzotn Marz, RA, and a church located in Metz Parni Village, Lori Marz, RA.
CONFERENCES
During the year 2005, the members of RAA Organization participated in a number of conferences, including that dedicated to the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet and another on the problems of Nakhichevan.
At a session of Red Cross Organization one of RAA members presented the activity of the organization and the conditions of the Armenian monuments in the countries adjacent to the Republic of Armenia.
LECTURES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
In different universities RAA members delivered lectures and reports, accompanied by slide display, on the settlements and cultural monuments of Historical Armenia. Every week lectures are also given in Narekatsy Art Centre, a programme broadcast by Yerkir Media TV (Cognition for the sake of Preservation) pursuing an educational-cognitive purpose.
EXHIBITIONS
A travelling exhibition dedicated to the destruction of the Armenian architectural monuments in Western Armenia was held in Matenadaran (Institute-Repository of Ancient Manuscripts) and the National Gallery of the RA, as well as in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, CA, USA; London, UK; Keoln, Germany; Aleppo, Syria; Isfahan (Nor Jugha), Iran and Paris, Kan, Nis and Marseilles, France.
RAA FILM
Despite the shortage of technical means, in 2005 the organization embarked upon film-shooting. The presentation of the films dedicated to Hambardzum Yeramian and Varag's Mr. Petros was held in Narekatsy Art Centre, earning the approval of both the audience and the local press.
RAA USA purchased a high-quality digital video camera for the further work of this branch of RAA.
DIGITIZATION OF ARCHIVES
In January 2005 RAA Yerevan Office had the following equipment:
Computers
PowerMAC G4 450 MHZ, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB HDD, 17" Studio Display
Pentium III 866, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB VRAM, 40 GB HDD), 17" AOC Flat Display
Pentium 100 32 MB RAM, 500 MB HDD, 1 BM VRAM, 14" Samsung display
Pentium 266 96 MB RAM, 2.2 GB HDD, 1 BM VRAM, 15" NEC display
Pentium 233 64 MB RAM, 2.4 GB HDD, 2 BM VRAM, 15" DELL display
Pentium 200 Pro 112 MB RAM, 2.4+3.5 GB HDD, 4 BM VRAM, 17" AOC display
Pentium 166 64 MB RAM, 3.5 GB HDD, 2 BM VRAM, 15" DELL display
Pentium 166 64 MB RAM, 3.5 GB HDD, 2 BM VRAM, 15" DELL display
Pentium 200 pro / 64 RAM / 2 / 4 / CD-4W / Sound / Monitor 17''
Pentium 200 MMX / 64 RAM / 32 / 2 / Sound / Monitor 15"
Pentium IV 2.4 GHz / 512 RAM / CD-ROM 52x / HDD 40 GB / SVG - 32/ 17" AOC Flat Display
Pentium 166 MMX / 64 RAM / 32 / 2 / Sound / Monitor Samsung 15"
Pentium IV 2.4 GHz / 1.0 GB RAM / CD-ROM 52x / HDD 2x80 GB SATA / SVG - 32/ 17" Samsung Flat Display
CD-RW 40x12x48
CD-R 700 SC P5
UPS 600
UPS Powercom 500
UPSE-Pro 1200
Scanners
Epson Perfection 1640SU
Scanner Canon Lite 1600 dpi
Printers
HL LaserJet 11000, 300 dpi, 2 mb RAM
Epson Stylus Colour 680
During the year, the following equipment was obtained:
Pentium IV 2.95 GHz / 2 GB RAM / SVG 256 / HDD 2x160GB S-ATA / CD-ROM /Sound / Monitor CTX 19"
AMD SAMPRON 1.7 GHz / 512 MB RAM / CD-ROM/ HDD 80 GB / SVG - 32/ 17" Samsung Flat Display
Nikon Film Scanner Super Coolscan 9000 ED
UPS Powercom 500
UPSE-Pro 1200
In 2005 19,434 images were digitized and double-copied on CDs, the images digitized totaling 71,534 with 2,275 CDs.
RAA - INTERNET SITE
www.armenianarchitecture.am
In 2004 the organization worked out and completed an Internet site representing a database of Armenian historical monuments. It enables users to carry out a multilateral search of Armenian historical settlements and monuments reflected in a "tree" of hierarchy. Parallel with the testing of the system in 2005, it was enriched with:
1. 3,681 monuments;
2. 1,506 toponyms;
3. 8,725 images;
4. 7,714 citations regarding both settlements and monuments;
5. 1,707 inscriptions.
The process of testing revealed certain errors which were corrected on the spot. On the whole, the database works without any major obstacles, with all the search and entry sub-sections operating without failure. The large number of the data input has brought forth the necessity of making certain technical improvements in the database, the construction of an updated version of the system being underway at present.
www.raa.am
The site represents the activity of the organization, its recent publications, exhibitions, articles, etc.
A DATABASE OF IMAGES FOR RAA INTERNAL USE
In 2005 Windows Application Programme was worked out for the facilitation of image entry and description. It enables you to fill in many lines simultaneously, searching for and filtering (finding) the necessary images. It also reflects the exact location of the images written on CDs, making it possible to do a search of the monuments according to their names, type, the toponym of the settlement they are situated in, etc.
During 2005 58,000 images were registered with at least a single describing feature.
WORKS PUBLISHED WITHIN THE SERIES OF "RAA. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES"
Below follows a list of the works published within the unique series of RAA books entitled "Scientific Researches":
1. The Armenian Lapidary Inscriptions of Boon Aghvank,Yerevan, 1997 (in Armenian);
2. The State Policy of Georgia and the Monuments of Armenian Culture, Yerevan, 1998 (in Armenian);
3. Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 1999 (in Armenian); Yerevan, 2000, in Russian, and Yerevan, 2001 (in English).
4. The Princely Castles of Artsakh and Syunik, Yerevan, 2001 (published in Armenian under the patronage of Shahen and Martha Harutiunian, Los Angeles, USA).
5. The Mayors of Tiflis, Beirut, 2003 (published in Armenian and Russian by Zaven & Fils publishing-house, Beirut, Lebanon, under the sponsorship of Razmik and Violet Tadevossian, London, UK).
During that year, RAA also issued an illustrated English booklet on the annihilation of Jugha Cemetery.
6. The Armenian Collection of the Caucasian Museum (in Armenian, sponsored by Hayk and Sose Vardapetian); Beirut, 2004 (Zaven & Fils publishing-house);
7. Northern Artsakh, Beirut, 2004 (in Armenian, Zaven & Fils publishing-house);
8. The Armenians in Cahetia (in Armenian, sponsored by Archbishop Sepuh Sargissian), Beirut, 2004 (Zaven & Fils publishing-house).
WORKS PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION WITHIN THE SERIES OF "RAA. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES"
Javakhk
The book treats the history of the region as well as all the historical monuments, irrespective of their national belonging, preserved in about 100 settlements and their vicinity.
The Microtoponyms of Artsakh
The work includes about 6,000 microtoponyms, i.e. the names of hills, fields, rivers, springs, tributaries, waterfalls, mountains, settlement quarters and even lonely trees: in other words, names associated with the Armenian land (most of them are mentioned in different written sources).
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF), whose grant enabled us to accomplish the collection of Artsakh's microtoponyms and prepare the aforementioned work.
The Armenian Churches in Georgia
The work treats the detailed history of about 650 Armenian churches (both Apostolic and Catholic) situated in the territory of the Republic of Georgia. Written on the basis of more than 4,000 published and unpublished sources, mainly dug out of the Armenian and Georgian archives, it includes over 1,000 photographs as well as hundreds of archive and contemporary measurements.
WORKS BEING PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION WITHIN THE SERIES OF "RAA. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES"
The Historical Monuments of Artaz
Like all the other districts of Historical Armenia, Artaz, at present occupying Iran's north-west, is rich in different Armenian historical monuments. The book presenting them most circumstantially is of great significance both from the standpoint of its scientific merits and the cultural-political ties between the two countries, improving their partnership day by day.
Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan is one of those districts of Historical Armenia that abounds in cultural monuments: annexed to Azerbaijan since 1921 and totally stripped of its Armenian population since 1988, it has continually suffered cultural "genocide" marking the annihilation of a great number of Armenian monuments. The eloquent proof of this is the cemetery of Hin (Old) Jugha, where thousands of khachkars (cross-stones) were reduced to ruins between 1998 and 2002.
The available materials regarding the district, different maps and other sources have enabled us to present a work unique both from cultural and political standpoint.
A Complete List of the Monuments of Western Armenia
So far no complete list on the cultural monuments of Western Armenia, forming the greatest part of Historical Armenia, has ever been prepared. The importance of a documentary work on the number, location and condition of the monuments in each settlement and district is beyond question. It will provide both the Armenians and foreigners with an excellent chance to learn that the Turkish authorities who realized the genocide of almost an entire nation continue doing the same with the cultural monuments located on the territory of Western Armenia.
The Lapidary Inscriptions of Western Armenia
The Turkish authorities have been continually demolishing the Armenian monuments throughout Western Armenia since 1915. The Armenian lapidary inscriptions, constituting about 95 % of the lapidary material the area used to have, did not escape obliteration either.
The work summarizes the materials available thanks to the investigation conducted by different topographers who worked in Western Armenia till 1915. It also includes the copies of the lapidary inscriptions collected during the scientific expeditions RAA organized in the past decades.
The Lapidary Inscriptions of Artsakh
For many years, about 3,600 Armenian lapidary inscriptions were copied and deciphered during the investigation RAA Organization implemented in the territory of Artsakh. In 2006 some fieldwork is to be carried out there for the accomplishment of the book which will be enriched with a spate of photos and copies of lapidary inscriptions.
A Chronological List of Aghvank Catholicoses and Artsakh Diocese Leaders
The work, treating the history of Aghvank Catholicoses (from the 4th century till 1810) and Artsakh diocese leaders (from 1810 to the present times), is enriched with photos and a map.
MAP
In commemoration of the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet, RAA NGO published an illustrated map entitled "St. Mesrop Mashtots. Dedicated to the 1,600th Anniversary of the Creation of the Armenian Alphabet" (government work, Zaven & Fils publishing-house).
CALENDARS
The organization published two calendars for the year 2006 dedicated to Hamshen District, Trebizond Province, Turkey, and Javakhk, Republic of Georgia.
APPEAL
In the aftermath of the unfortunate political events that occurred during and after World War I, most of the territory of Historical Armenia now forms part of the adjacent countries. Thus, the districts of Artaz and Parspatunik are located within Iran's borders, the most important of the local Armenian monasteries being generally reconstructed under state auspices. The other neighbours of Armenia, however, do not share this respect for culture and religion: the deliberate destruction of Armenian religious monuments is still in process in Turkey (see RAA Report for 1997, St. Bartholomew Monastery), the Armenian churches being consistently appropriated in Georgia.
Between November and December 2002, Azerbaijan, one of the member-states of the UN, UNESCO, ICOMOS and the European Council that also intends to be admitted to the European Union, realized the premeditated annihilation of about 2,700 nicely-carved cross-stones in the centuries-old cemetery of Hin Jugha, Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan. The unique monument complex fell victim to the barbarity perpetrated after the example of the aggressive followers of Taleban.
RAA NGO calls upon you to join this appeal of protest and expose the cultural "genocide" with all possible means, denouncing Azerbaijan in the world organizations.
Dr. Armen Haghnazarian
RAA Founding Director
RAA Founding Director