Armenia – A Cultural Flashback Photography by Lusine Stepanian and Ali Majdfar
Narrated by Lusine Stepanian
Tucked in the mountains between Black Sea and Caspian Sea in
the Eastern Europe, Armenia may be a small country. Nevertheless,
its history and cultural heritage date back into the 4th century.
Here is a cultural flashback into the past and present:
Photo by Ali Majdfar Mount Ararat, the symbol of Armenia, visible
in the sun bathed horizon from any apartment balcony. It rises
5,165 meters high (16,945 feet). It is believed to be the resting
place of Noah’s Arch.
Photo by Lusine Stepanian Geghard, an ancient Armenian monastery, is partially
carved out of a mountain. The cathedral was built in 1215; however
the monastery has been in existence since the 4th century.
Photo by Ali Majdfar
Inside Geghard, Armenians come to light a candle and pray. The
monastery is lit solely through natural light and candles.
Photo by Lusine Stepanian
Between picturesque mountain slopes covered with green, lies yet
another ancient temple, Garni. Built in the second
half of the 1st Century B.C., it was dedicated to the God of Sun
and eventually became a summer residence for the Kings.
Photo by Lusine Stepanian
In 301 A.D. Armenia became the first country to accept Christianity
as a state religion. Armenian Crosses, known as ‘Khachkar’-
Cross Stones, are widely dispersed throughout the country. All
were carved by hand in the early 4th century, with no single stone
looking alike.
Photo by Ali Majdfar Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater mass, takes
up 5% of the Armenian land. Locals travel to this lake on hot
summer weekends to camp and to cool off.
Photo by Ali Majdfar Hayravank is the only monastery found on the
shores of Lake Sevan. It dates to 9th century and contains rocks
from the Bronze Age.
Photo by Lusine Stepanian Lavash, traditional Armenian flatbread, is made
simply out of flour, water and salt. The dough is rolled out flat
on a cushion and slapped against the hot walls of ‘tonir’
stone oven. One delicious way of indulging yourself is to roll
lavash with feta cheese and butter and enjoy it with a slice of
cold watermelon or freshly picked grapes.
Photo by Lusine Stepanian Nardi, known as backgammon in the western world,
is a favoured spare times of the elderly. On a hot summer day,
neighbours gather in one’s backyard for a game of Nardi.
Lusine Stepanian
is The Compass editor. Having caught the travel bug while
living in Europe, she is dedicating her next few years to
exploring more of Latin America with trips planned to Bolivia
and Cuba.
Ali Majdfar
is a 37 year old amateur photographer for the last 5 years.
Through his
photography he would like to show another side of his
country, seldom shown in the media, which is its rich culture
and history.
