House Museums of Armenia

Travel Wire Geghard Vocal Ensemble “Komitas never composed an opera, symphony, oratorio, or concerto, yet he accomplished something much greater. He laid the foundations of a national music culture, purifying Armenian music of all foreign influences. Komitas has thus been rightfully recognized as the “father of Armenian classical music.” After the Genocide, nothing was left to compile or compare, let alone preserve for future generations; Komitas had come forward in the 11th hour to redeem a vital characteristic of a 4,000-year-old civilization that was eventually uprooted from its cradle....

Roupen Sevag - 1885-1915 Illuminated Legacy in the Holy See of Etchmiadzin Travel Wire The telegram read: 25 August 1915 - 8:25 AM Chankir, Istanbul - Pankalty Nalpant Street To: Mrs. Chilingirian ‘I WENT WITH VAROUJAN TO AYASH. SEND ME YOUR LETTERS THERE. ROUPEN.’ Two hours after the telegram was dispatched, Turkish soldiers removed Roupen Sevag and Daniel Varoujian and three others from the train near the village of Tuneh ....

March 3, 1842 (Tiflis) - April 19, 1911 (St. Petersburg) Travel Wire **** Alexander Ivanovich Mantashev (Russified from Mantashyants/Mantashyan) is a household word among Armenians living in the countries of former Czarist Transcaucasia, (also known as the South Caucasus), but for those living in the Diaspora, especially America, he is vaguely, if at all, remembered. Although much information has come forth since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Armenian Independence (1991), there is still much to learn....

Travel Wire I have lost count, but it is well over a dozen trips since Armenia gained Independence in 1991. Upon each visit I encounter fresh experiences and gain greater understanding and knowledge of my ancestral homeland. I am privileged to share them. RETURN TO JRVEZH July 1, 2012 Instead of attending Liturgy in Etchmiadzin today, we took a 20- minute cab ride to Jrvezh. It is a charming town on the outskirts of Yerevan....

Travel Wire VANADZOR, ARMENIA Façade Sign © Ruth Bedevian Razmig, our driver, preferred to take “Sevani Jampan” (Sevan Highway) to make the 75-mile-drive from Yerevan to Vanadzor, which rests in the north east section of Armenia in the Lori province where ancient monasteries of Kobayr, Sanahin, and Hagpat still stand to remind visitors of fervent, thriving and erudite Christian history which this ancient, now finally independent Armenian nation offers the world....

All over Armenia, many individuals and organizations are planting seeds which are taking root. Each time I visit, I learn more of what people are doing in their own little corners of the world to make life better. These seeds don’t make big news, but the knowledge of the planting and the growing harvests are worthy to be shared. The Azkatroshm (Seal of the Nation/Rite of Passage) of the Khrimian Guhrtojakh (Educational Center) of Oshagan is one such story....

Travel Wire YEREVAN, ARMENIA Pedestrian path that connects Abovian Street near Republic Square to the Opera House © Ruth Bedevian** Whether he designed a hospital, a public library, or any other kind of building Alexander Tamanyan, considered the founder of contemporary Armenian Architecture, was inspired by Armenia’s historic architectural legacy. He combined ancient Armenian design, the natural stone of Armenia, and the best of world architecture to create a distinctive Armenian national style....

Travel Wire YEREVAN, ARMENIA ‘There will come a time, when our yet modest student orchestra will proudly bear the honorary title of the Armenian State Orchestra.’ So accurate was the predicition of Alexander Spendiaryan in 1924 when he organized an eighteen-member orchestra consisting of conservatory professors and students and launched a concert. That concert established the confidence in this small nation of people that it could create a symphony and attract appreciative and enthusiastic audiences....

Armenian Catholicos Guest of Pope Benedict XVI - May 6-10 Travel Wire THE VATICAN When my husband and I received an invitation from His Holiness Karekin II to attend the events of his third visit to the Vatican and his first fraternal visit with Pope Benedict XVI, we indeed felt privileged. It was only after our participation in these historical days that the full impact of privilege descended upon us and we both felt the need to share the fruits of this special consideration....

Travel Wire YEREVAN, ARMENIA Yervand Kochar Museum Entrance Since its creation in 1959, the statue of David of Sassoun has been one of the most outstanding landmarks in Armenia. Adorning the Yerevan Railway Station Square, this monumental work was created in brass (wrought copper - an alloy of copper and zinc) by a master genius, Yervand Kochar (1899-1978). He was an artist whose innovative works attest to incredibly remarkable talent in three genres - painting, graphics and sculpture....