Armenia’s History and Culture

After a long struggle against Rome, the Armenian king Trdat I was crowned by Nero in 66 AD and Armenia experienced a revival period. Many fortresses and towns were founded or rebuilt, and a notable advance was made both in art and science. One of the newly emerged cities was Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin) which later became the cradle of Christianity in Armenia. In 301, Armenia adopted Christianity thus becoming the first country in the world to proclaim it as a state religion (note that Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire in 313 by the Edict of Milan.

From mid-IX century a notable rise was marked in the country’s economic, spiritual, cultural and political life. The Fortress of Ani, founded in the V century, became the nation’s capital in 961 and became known as the town of “thousand and one churches”. In the XI c. the Armenian kingdom weakened as a result of internal instability and the influence of exterior forces. The Seljuk Turks which had already appeared on the historical scene in the XI century invaded Northern Armenia in 1064. While Armenia lost sovereignty, another Armenian kingdom, Cilicia, rose on the southern costs of the Mediterranean and lasted about 300 years (1080-1375). Armenians first set foot in Cilicia in 95 BC and over time they spread on the Mediterranean coast. The Armenian princedom of Cilicia grew so rapidly and became so powerful that in 1198 it was recognized as a sovereign kingdom by Byzantium. During 300 years of existence the Cilician kingdom seldom enjoyed peaceful days. Starting from the 20s of the XIV c. the Armenians of Cilicia struggled for their independence against Egyptian Mamelukes and the Sultanate of Iconia. Yet the Cilician kingdom left a rich cultural heritage of architecture, literature and manuscripts. After the fall of the Tatar Empire, the invasions into Armenia continued. The troops of Lenk Timur (Tamerlane, 1386) and Persian Shah Abbas the Great (1604) invaded Armenia devastating the country. After a long struggle in 1639 Western Armenia succumbed to Turkey and Eastern Armenia to Persian Empire. This predicament lasted until the 20s of the XIX century.

Armenian-Russian relations evolved from the XII c. In mid-XIV century, Armenians began migrating to Crimea. Beginning from the XVII century, Armenia’s relations with Russia helped liberate the country from Turkish and Persian dominance. In 1804 war broke out between Russia and Persia, and in 1813 a number of historically Armenian districts were annexed to Russia by the Gyulistan accord. In 1828 the Turkmenchay agreement finally united Eastern Armenia and the Western Armenian district of Kars to Russia. This was one of the consequences of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878.

At the end of the XIX century the Ottoman government of Turkey began a premeditated extermination of its Armenian population which culminated in 1915 in the massacre of more than 1.5 million people. This became known as the first Genocide of the 20th century. Genocide survivors were scattered all over the world and part of them found refuge in Eastern Armenia.

On May 28, 1918, Armenia declared its independence. In 1920 Armenia became a Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991 Armenia regained independence and has been flourishing as an independent state with a democratic form of government.

Armenia is in the southwestern part of the Caucasus, south of Georgia, West of Azerbaijan, North of Iran and East of Turkey. Armenia’s territory is 29,800 sq. km (11,490 sq. miles) comparable with the territory of Belgium. It is a mountainous, land locked country in Southwestern Asia. Most of Armenia’s territory ranges from 1000 to 2500 meters above sea level. Highest point: Mt. Aragats, 13,419 ft (4,090 m); lowest point: along Debed River, 1,280 ft (390 m). The greatest extent is 360 km. Arable land accounts for 17% of land use; forested 12%; meadows and pastures 30%; arid land 18%, with the balance being mountainous terrain.

The climate of Armenia is highland continental, dry with four seasons. Temperatures can vary considerably between seasons. The summer is generally pleasant reaching 25°C, though in the Ararat valley temperatures can climb to 40°C. Winters are cold with temperatures dipping to -5°C in Yerevan, and colder in the Ararat Valley (-30°C) and the Lake Arpi area (-46°C). Annual precipitation for the country as a whole averages 550 millimeters. The best time to visit Armenia is in spring or autumn.

Armenia is a Parliamentary Republican state. The president is elected in national elections to serve a five-year term. Executive power is exercised through a cabinet made up of the prime minister and other ministers. The current PM is Mr. Nikol Pashinyan who was elected in 2018. According to the constitution, legislative power is exercised through the National Assembly, a 131-member body elected to serve a four-year term. Armenia is divided into 11 regions (marz), with Yerevan considered as one independent region. The president is responsible for guaranteeing the independence of the judicial system, which is made up of three levels of general competence courts – primary courts, review courts and the Court of Appeal. The Constitutional Court decides whether the decisions of the National Assembly, President and Government are constitutional.

The population of Armenia is about 3.216 million. The capital Yerevan is home for 1.250 million people. Density is 325/sq. miles (126/sq. km), 68% of the population is urban and consists of the following ethnic groups: Armenian 95%, Russian 2%, others (Kurdish, Yesdi, Jewish, Assyrian, Greeks, Ouds, Gypsy). Life expectancy is 75 for females, 68 for males. The literacy rate is 98%. Armenians are among Europe’s oldest and most distinct ethnic groups, having inhabited the area east and south of the Black Sea since the seventh century BC. Both the Armenian alphabet and the Armenian Church date back to the fourth century and remain substantially unchanged today.

We are proud of Armenia’s brilliant sunshine, perfumed air, glowing rainbows, graceful traditions and warm smiles. But what really makes us beautiful is our delicious national cuisine. The culinary renaissance now is taking place throughout Armenia, where the food reflects a healthy combination of the ancient and the modern. Armenian cuisine is far more sophisticated than it used to be. Creative young chefs are adding new chapters to traditional cooking. The best way to explore the various flavors and combinations of the region’s cooking is to begin with its history. So let’s start… The origin of Armenian cuisine dates back to pagan times. It was one of the most ancient agricultural centers. The archaeologists found many evidences which allow us to think this way. It is known that in epoch of Urartu (in 782 BC) the wine-making culture in Armenia had a high quality and had reached a large scale. There were special storehouses named maran for harvested grapes for wine production. Wine was pressed in a huge wooden vat. A very interesting component of old Armenian cuisine is a kind of bread that is called lavash.

The staffs of the finest restaurants in the city and regions are waiting to satisfy your appetite and interest in this area. No visit to Armenia is complete without tasting a real Armenian meal called Ghapama (Armenian Pumpkin Stew).

The main ingredients are boiled rice, raisins, apples, honey and ground cinnamon. All these are mixed and at the end placed inside a pumpkin. One cannot stand back from Ghapama’s final result where the appearance is impressive as the views… And don’t forget to mention about a dozen of Armenian wines, brandy and vodka made of mulberry and cornel; finally, fruits full of spices and the smell of sun. Many exotic delicacies are prepared out of grape juice. One of them is Sharots (sujukh). First a savoring dark cherry-colored syrup is cooked which is called doshab. Later a thick floury jelly is made with variety of spices. Then a picturesque ceremony follows. Pieces of walnut threaded on a string are dipped in the jelly. Afterwards the strings are hung to dry. Villagers preserve these strings for winter. We offer meals in the best restaurants and cafes at each exotic destination. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner, which are usually a combination of traditional European and local national dishes, will be also available. Due to the most different restaurants like Italian, Chinese, French, Syrian, Lebanese, Indian, Mexican, Russian etc in Yerevan you can feel yourself in each part of the world. Well, if you are one of those people who love to discover culinary adventures, Armenia is just the right place! So pull up a chair and get ready for a great meal. Bon appetite!

Armenian rug making achieved its top glory during the 15th and 17th centuries when skill and craftsmanship reached unprecedented levels in the southern and eastern provinces of Armenia. The vishapagorg or “dragon-rug” from this period includes the swastika symbolizing water and snake. These intricate geometric designs contain both beauty and symbolism and are still found in many contemporary designs along with the traditional color combinations of vibrant reds and rich blues. Historians believe the unique shades of red achieved in these medieval carpets were the result of a dye made from a colorful worm (cochineal) found only in the soil of Armenia. After years of neglect due to political and economic obstacles, the rug business in Armenia is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to the Megerian family of New York.

The Megerians came out with an initiative to rebuild the industrial infrastructure necessary for Armenia to produce top quality rugs once again. The Megerians emigrated to the U.S. from Armenia, and established a successful international rug company bearing the family name. Their skill at repairing the antique rugs handed down from generations, earned them a reputation for fine restorations. Their New York showroom is an essential stop for the most influential interior designers. They expanded their operations to Armenia in 2001. As native Armenians the Megerians wanted to help restoring their country’s broken economy through job creation in the rug industry. Consequently they acquired Armen Carpet, a leading rug manufacturing firm, and began refurbishing and updating the factories that drastically needed a repair. Today the Megerians own 22 factories employing 2000 weavers throughout Armenia that produce handmade Armenian rugs. Armen Carpet is an example of a business that uses maintains traditional standards and practices while incorporating contemporary taste and ideas. Master craftsmen still use individual and characteristic touches to create stunning patterns. While many patterns echo with ancient traditions there are also more modern motifs with bolder shapes and more monochromatic palettes that incorporated into today’s interiors. Hand-woven rugs of Armenia bear the name or initials of the weavers, giving each work of art a connection to its Armenian original roots. The Armenian people have played an important role in the creation, development and perfection of rug making. Today the Armenian artists and skilled masters under the Megerian Family’s expertise are the bearers of the centuries old traditions of Armenian rug making.

The greatest representative of Armenian folk music is Jivan Gasparyan. His uncommon music is very popular not only in our republic but in foreign countries, too. Jazz music has been around in Armenia recent years, which promoted the formation of many jazz bands, so you can enjoy their music during the tours. LEVON TRAVEL is also organizing choral music performances out in sightseeing destinations. A small choir is performing medieval sacred music or folk songs.