SHIRAK CENTER FOR ARMENOLOGICAL STUDIES NAS RA
On the 23rd of September, Gyumri welcomed hundreds of participants of the international conference. The conference was devoted to the study of the historical and cultural heritage of Shirak. The organizer of this conference, Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA, as always, prepared with responsibility and love. It is noteworthy that it is one of the unique Armenian scientific events convened for the 11st time in the last 30 years of our country's history, with a large number of permanent participants of Armenologists from abroad. It is also an important event in the life of the intelligentsia of Gyumri, thanks to which Gyumri, the city of arts and crafts, national music and sports, today also bears the honorable name of the city of science. "Three years have passed since our last meeting," said A. Hayrapetyan, the director of the Center. A lot has changed in the world during this time. Perhaps our will has remained unchanged: to gather in Gyumri every three years to discuss the current state of Shirak's historical and cultural heritage studies, to outline Armenian literature.
Hundreds of participants of the international conference paid tribute to the memory of the Armenians who died in the recent aggression of Azerbaijan. Y. Suvaryan, N. Baghdasaryan (Shirak Marz Governor RA), Gyumri Mayor Chief Advisor H. Sultanyan greeted the participants and conveyed heartiest greetings to the organizers and the participants.
Shirak has inexhaustible treasures of spiritual and material culture: valuable archaeological and historical monuments, unique folklore, unique way of life, traditions from the depths of centuries, amazing architecture, diverse crafts, traditional song and music. The following issues were under consideration: excavations of Benyamin's ancient site, the cave suburb of Ani, the Urartian fortress-settlement in Haykadzor, the Early Bronze Age temple complex of Mets Sepasar and Azatan’s three layered monument’s discovery and studies(1st millennium BC), excavations in the Jradzor fortress-settlement, as well as in the highlands of Lernakert and Pemzashen communities of the region. The reports were also delivered with reference to the historical-demographic picture and socio-economic life of Alexandropol province in 1918 and 1920. The history of the 25-year-old Center is interwoven with many other realities, which on September 23-24 was enriched by another achievement worthy of the jubilee, traditionally invited "Historical and Cultural Heritage of Shirak" at the 11th International Scientific Conference entitled "Modern Issues of Armenian Studies".
Academician Y. Suvaryan emphasized the significance of such conferences in the field of regional development. Governor of Shirak region N. Baghdasaryan gave importance to the role of such scientific events, forums in the affair of the training of young Armenologists in the region. Rector of Samtskhe-Javakhk State University, M. Beridze stressed the importance of the teaching of scientists of the Shirak Center at their university and the necessity of connecting its best graduates with the Center. At the inaugural plenary session, the following reports were listened with great attention: "Charents and Historical Area"(professor D. Gasparian), "Aleksandrapol city community in the 1890s-1910s" (G.Aghayan), "G. Levoyan and Music Issues in the Pages of "Gegharvest" magazine (Professor, A. Asatryan)". A number of scientific researchers from the Center received awards from the RA NAS presidency, Municipality of Gyumri and Shirak Marzpetaran.
Director A. Hayrapetyan on behalf of the staff of the Center and participants of the conference expressed deep gratitude to RA President V. Khachaturyan, NAS president A. Saghyan, Shirak region governor N. Baghdasaryan, Gyumri Mayor V. Samsonyan for their specific attention towards science. After the break, the work of the conference was carried out in 5 branches. The sections of the archeology and lithography lasted until late evening. Both the audience full of scientists and students, and the remarkable topics of the 10 reports of the day, around which fruitful discussions took place, were encouraging. In the spirit of debate and active discussion, the session of the first day of the branch of history passed, in which many students of humanitarian specialties and history faculty of SUSh, history teachers of regional schools took their active part in the conference.
On the first day of the conference, the 5th session of the philology part was also crowded. There was another working day ahead, just as full, just as interesting. In total, around 50 reports were delivered: 9 in the fields of Archaeology, 14 in History, 7 in Philology and Museology, 10 in Linguistics. In the evening plenary session, the results of the conference were presented and summarized by the co-chairs of the branches. In his final speech, the director of the Center emphasized with satisfaction and enthusiasm the high quality and relevance of most of the presented reports, the significant increase in the number of young people who show serious ambitions to engage in Armenian studies. At the end of the session, a ceremony of signing two new memorandums of cooperation took place. The Center signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Armenian Studies Center of the Institute of Sociology and Regional Research of the Southern Federal University of the Russian Federation and the Scientific Committee of Kazakhstan with the representatives of the Institute of Archeology named after Margulaev.
One of the lasting accomplishments of the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA is the international conferences under the title "Historical and Cultural Heritage of Shirak, current issues of Armenology," which are customarily held in Gyumri. The 10th International, an annual event, exceeded the previous ones regarding attendance, the variety of topical issues covered, and the representative mix of attendees. It was celebratory in more than one sense. Originally numbering ten, it was held in the 25th year of the conference. Moreover, this is highly symbolic, it was held in the extravagantly reconstructed cultural center, whose semi-dark hall gave birth to it in 1994 as a sign that the Disaster had not extinguished the scientific heritage of Gyumri. More than 150 people attended the tenth international conference, 20 of whom came from nine different nations: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkmenistan, France, Greece, and Germany. In most of the reports, the authors were representatives of university chairs of social science and Armenology as well as representatives of the RA NAS system. Throughout the three days of the conference 21 reports from the fields of archeology and lithography, 47 from history and demography, 37 from ethnology, 18 from architecture and art studies, and 26 from philology were heard. The three-day conference began with an opening ceremony attended by the public and political figures as well as statesmen. Both the mayor of Gyumri, S. Balasanyan, and the governor of Shirak, T. Petrosyan, gave welcoming speeches. The significant contribution that the Center of NAS RA has made to the study of the vast cultural legacy of Shirak over the past 25 years was highlighted in the speech given by the director of the Center, Armen Hayrapetyan. The reports of Russian Armenologist Andrey Ivanov on the characteristics of Gyumri folk architecture, Doctor of Philology D. Gasparyan about the Gyumri days of Yeghishe Charents, and the outstanding scientific reports of professor K. Balyan of Moscow, dance professor G. Ginosyan, and ethnographer G. Shagoyan were all presented during the opening plenary session. Following that, the work of the conferences was divided into five branches.
1. Archaeology, anthropology, lithology
The reports covered a wide range of topics in the study of the archaeological material, including animal remains found in the Shirak region,
antique tableware from Tigranakert, Artsakh, monument-sacrificial columns of the Early Bronze Age Mets Sepasar, tombs devoid of Early Iron Age
remnants, pillar anchors from ancient Armenia, the typology of the pottery belts from the Shengavitian culture of Shirak, Vardbagh, which is
used to date burial sites, the "water" code found in the dragon stones of the Armenian highlands, and the mysteries surrounding the
relationship between the worship of the sun and the deer in Armenian and Asia Minor cultures.
The reports on the 2008–2016 archaeological research of the recently found ancient tombs in Shirak and the excavations of the archaeological
monument with a three-layered Azatan culture were passed in the atmosphere of intense debates.
2.Historiography, demography
The branch worked with a great workload: more than 50 programs were heard and discussed. Several questions of a source science nature were
discussed, which were related to the study of newly discovered archival documents and Ottoman census data covering some realities of the
history of Armenian-Georgian relations. There were also references to coverage of various issues of Armenian history and demography. Several
reports were devoted to the lives of Armenian communities abroad, the Armenian public, and political and economic figures. Reports on issues
related to the history of politics and jurisprudence, particularly the consequences of modern American policy in the Middle East, the place of
Armenian civilization in the cyclical movement of world civilization, etc., were also listened to with attention.
3.Ethnology
In a rich thematic-content context, there were valuable references to many issues of classical ethnography: the features of Shirak-Javakhk
women's costume decoration, the Gharagyoz ritual doll and shadow theater, the ceremonial custom and folk beliefs of Shirak Tyarnandaraj, the
19th-century city life, and the culture of Alexandropol. Presentations by L. Gevorgyan (Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor)
and L. Ghushchyan were related to current issues of museology.
4.Architecture and art studies/fine arts
In the work branch, there were almost the same number of programs dedicated to art studies and architecture. Enthusiastic discussions took
place on programs related to the problems of art studies. They addressed issues of both art history and contemporary sonority.
5.Philology
Within the 25 scientific reports that were presented, a significant portion dealt with dialectological issues: "Shifts in the grammatical
system of the Gyumri speech of Karno dialect", "Examination of the peculiarities of linguistic thinking according to the speech records of
Shirak villages", "On spoken borrowings from eastern languages in the modern speech of Gyumri", etc. The studies are written by PhD M.
Khachatryan, Ph.D. A. Hayrapetyan, Ph. D. A. Mkhitaryan, and others presented intriguing linguistic style challenges. A literary inclination
was seen in some accounts. Ph.D. A. Bekeryan's report "Byron and Isahakyan" drew creative comparisons; Ph.D. Sh. Khachatryan's report on the
Armenian translation of the novel "M Auezov's Abay" delved into questions of artistic translation; and L. Tumanyan's (Candidate of Historical
Sciences, Associate Professor) report on the "Mystical works of Grigor Verd Hesvatsi" intrigued listeners.
At the Centre of National Academy of Sciences, the 10th international conference honouring historical and cultural legacy of Shirak was
organised with utmost seriousness. Every attempt was made to provide the optimal technical circumstances for the three days of work of the
participants. The centre handled all participant housing, food, and entertainment arrangements. The conference served as the clearest
indication of our recent evident advancements in researching the historical and cultural heritage of our people. Highlights included the
topical issues of cultural dialogue and interactions, the appropriate use of national cultural heritage in education for the next generation,
the need to research how national values are changing within the national cultural area, and the forms and characteristics of cultural capital
manifestation.
The 9th international conference on "Shirak's historical and cultural heritage, current issues of Armenian studies" was held in Gyumri on September 24–25, 2016, in honour of the 25th anniversary of the independence of Armenia. The conference aims to shed light on the current state of archaeological, historical, ethnological, and scientific research in the northern region of Armenia; pinpoint implementation issues with different studies; explore fresh scientific perspectives on contentious realities being studied; and outline the extensive research on the ethnography, folklore, history, crafts, and arts of Shirak in the broader context of Armenian studies, along with its future directions and top priorities. One hundred and forty-four scientists from all across Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon, Poland, Germany, and other RA scientific and educational institutes, centers, and universities attended the meeting. Bishop Mikael Adjapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, Shirak Marz Governor H. Simonyan, and Gyumri Mayor S. Balasanyan all gave welcoming speeches during the opening plenary session. The greetings of these attendees were also heard during the conference: Ph.D. professor A. Melkonyan, academician of the National Academy of Sciences; Ph.D. professor D. Gasparyan, professor at Adygei State University; R. Kandor, Ph.D., professor of musicology and art, H. Harutyunyan, doctor of architecture M. Hasratyan teaches associate philosophy at Berdyansk State University, Ph.D. V. Shkola, in Ukraine. Five branches handled the conference duties.
1. Archaeology, anthropology, lithology
Many subjects were discussed, with an emphasis on the archaeological material: Kur-Araksian pottery; artefacts from the 11th to 9th centuries
BC discovered in Spandaryan village of Shirak region; antique pottery from Tigranakert in Artsakh; obsidian arrowheads from early Bronze Age
monastics at Mets Sepasar; Olduva civilization located between Aeratsia district and Noragavit village in the southern suburbs of Yerevan with
its unusual stone tool set; the historiographical analysis of the glazed pottery centres from the 9th and 10th centuries; an attempt to
classify Armenian fortifications typologically based on early mediaeval sources; and a review of the historiographical material concerning the
fortification structures of the Akhuryan basin. The team of archaeologists additionally demonstrated the Azatan archaeological monument. A
variety of recently discovered truths in source science were discussed by the scientists. S. Adamyan discussed mediaeval monuments of Oshakan,
highlighting a special manuscript belonging to Mesrop Archbishop Smbatyantsi; A. Manucharyan regarding the legal nature of inscriptions of
Mren, Ani, and Bjni; and A. Harutyunyan concerning three 19th-century inscriptions from the walls of the three-nave basilica church in Horom
village constructed in 1861.
2.Historiography, demography
The work of the conference addressed topics about different eras of the history of the Armenian people, enhancing it with fresh thesis and f
actual interpretations. The historical Shirak, and particularly the province of Alexandropol, was undoubtedly the fundamental material. The
19th and early 20th centuries saw the creation of reports by A. Hayrapetyan, G. Ayvazyan, H. Muradyan, A. Shahinyan, K. Aleksanyan, and G.
Makhmuryan devoted to Shirak. The covering of different aspects of Armenian history and demographics was also mentioned. For instance, A.
Akopov focused his research on the events that followed the collapse of the Bagratunyats monarchy in Armenia.
3.Ethnology
This field employed scientists, ethnographers, and museum specialists. The discussion of the following topics took place in a rich thematic
context: the ethno-psychological aspect of the creative city of Gyumri; the manifestations of snake and baby snake worship in Shirak and
Vanand; the folklore heritage of Kars; the comparative analysis of the 1988 Spitak earthquake and the 1926 Leninakan earthquake; the musical
life of Shirak in the 1980s of the 20th century, exterior and interior decoration of the St. Seven Wounds (St. Yot Verk Church) and St. Nshan
Churches in Gyumri; the forms and methods used to socialization among children in Alexandrapol, etc. A. Gyulbudaghyan discussed the pedagogical challenges associated with the teachings of national culture and Armenian ethnography in public schools. The meeting featured insightful
presentations from museologists A. Asoyan, L. Gevorgyan, A. Grigoryan, and A. Nazaryan.
4.Architecture and art studies/fine arts
The critics focused primarily on the contemporary issues surrounding Gyumri architecture and fine arts, such as the artistic and typological
traits of Gyumri cemetery monuments, the mysterious origins of Khachatak step-shaped compositions, the external embellishments of St.
Astvatsatsin Monastery of Tsghna, Nakhijevan, Shirak School of Painting in the 1960s, post-earthquake cultural issues of Gyumri, the
significance of the Yeghegnamor (Changli) temple in religious architecture, and the advancements in Armenian educational building architecture
during the independence years of the country.
5.Philology
The majority of the conference was devoted to philology, which covered a wide range of literary and linguistic subjects from an analytical,
critical, comparative, and public speaking perspective. Renowned scientists and young researchers participated, generating a lot of discussion
and interest in their discoveries. A meeting with Dr. A. Haydosyan, president of Beirut Haykazean University, and Dr. A. Dagesyan, editor of
the "Haykazean Armenological Journal," who have been actively collaborating with the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA for years,
was also arranged as part of the conference framework. The demonstration of the 36th volume of Haykazean arranged by the researchers of the
center and the enthusiastic attendance by local scientists and foreign guests showed the significance of the creative and scientific ties
between the two Armenological centres and the understanding of how crucial it is to maintain them. The conference also featured a robust
cultural programme. Its organisers provided the many attendees with the chance to take part in to participate in the "Gyumri Day" events: the
"Bread Festival" traditionally organized by the centre, the preparation and sampling of national cuisine, and several other significant
ethnographic activities that made a lasting impression on the conference participants —particularly foreigners.
Shirak Center of Armenian Studies of NAS, RA after the three years of the conference of the same kind in 2010, on October 22-24 organized the eigth scientific session “Shirak’s historio-cultural heritage”. This famous session helding gradually is a prominent phenomenon not only in Gyumri, but also in the republic’s scientific and cultural life. By giving new rush to the town’s scholar idea, it gradually broadens its thematic and representative scopes. So, if the previous seven sessions were of republican nature, the last, the eighth one, was characterized by the active participation of armenologists from different countries (Italy, France, Germany, Japan, USA, Russia, Georgia), who with their efficient participation, really, appreciated Shirak’s historio-cultural heritage by putting on international scale. For three years in the auditoriums of Gyumri’s “Progress” university many armenologists from different outstanding scholar centres made their speeches dealing with Shirakology. As in his speech mentioned associate professor of philological sciences Sergo Hayrapetyan, many of them have been in this forum for many times and their speeches are expected here. At the same time the session was marked with the active participation and achievements of new armenologists. NAS, RA and the humanitarian sciences department’s academician- secretary, session’s orgcommittee’s president academician Vl. Barkhudaryan, Shirak’s vice-regional governor S. Petrosyan, Narek bishop Shaqaryan from Armenian Apostolic Church greeted the participants of the conference and wished them efficient work. The first complete session of the conference was devoted to one of Ani’s church complex ornaments, the millennial anniversary of Bagnayr monastery. K. Matevosyan made an extensive and comprehensive report devoted to this famous complex. (The Matenadaran of Mashtoc) firstly by giving importance to the structure’s architectural high value, then the scientific activity realized there. Doc. of philology A. Isahakyan, D. Gasparyan, N. bishop Shaqaryan, K. Sahakyan made their interesting and pithy speeches in the complete session. Then works were carried out in the departments.In A department were the spheres of archaeology, anthropology, lithography and history. With extensive material were presented the reports devoted to Shirak’s Mets Sepasar early bronze-aged hearths (L. Eganyan, SHAS), the subjects discovered from Shirak’s archaeological monuments (H. Aghekyan, SHM), the lithographes of Khachi Dzor A. Manucharyan< NAS, NIA), to Indo-european migrations (A. Khudaverdyan, NAS, NIA), the economy of Eriakhy country (I. Avagyan.)
In B level of the session were the reports devoted to architecture and art study. The participants of the conference attached greatest interest towards the reports of two Japanese scholars S. Sasano and Y. Fujita. The first one was devoted to the architectural genealogy of Aragats’s St. Trinity church, especially to the structure of the church, the architectural pecularities of its dome. The second one was about the constructional pecularities of Pemzashen church dome. H. Hakobyan (YSU) and M. Hasratyan (NAS, RA) spoke about the structure of old Armenian temples. The decorative ornaments of the Marmashen monastery. V. Mutarelli’s (France) report dealt with the issues of architectural improvements carrying out in Armenia. With the sample of Benyamin antique place G. Khachikyan’s report was about A. Aharonyan’s ‘To Ani’ travelling notes, where was given the appreciation of Bagratunyan dynasty’s architecture by the author of travelling notes. A. Haykazun’s report was unique with its theme and content “The structural composition of the Noah’s Arch and the world’s four side and three distributed system”.Italian armenologist A. Vardanyan amazed the participants with his report which dealt with the study of historio-cultural issues of Noy and Ararat mountains. With the report “Noah’s arch, the rest and the search of Armenianan traces” the results of his researches done in about 20 years were presented, carried out on Ararat. The subject matter of B department was Shirak’s band art with four musicological reports. The center’s scholar secretary’s H. Harutyunyan’s report was devoted to the book of musicologist-folklorist senior scientific worker of SHAS Hasmik Apinyan’s “Love Singer, Ashough Igit”, which the center has prepared for publication. The first chapter of the book is completely about the main phases of the ashough’s life and creative activity, the second one summarizes 55 specimen of ashugh’s manuscript songs. The speaker tried to present the author’s results which mainly refer to ashough’s melodic pecularities and due to their invention, the book’s theoretical- analytical part has been created. The fact was underlined that musicological deep survey, which H. Apinyan devoted work’s result, deserves great evaluation. Nowadays her work is being on in the Center. A. Baghdasaryan’s (NAS, IA) report was about Aleqsandrapol province’s band school representative ashough Jivani’s national-patriotic songs’ prosodic compositions.Great interest was shown towards Z. Tagakchyan’s /NAS report which was devoted to musicologist Q. Qushnaryan’s 1927 recorded” phonogram” band Sheram’s authorized works. About 11 songs were presented and analytical investigation was done. Certainly, band Sheram’s performances as discoveries, deserve great marks and observations.
Besides band songs, a report was also presented in the department for N. Tigranyan’s mughams which the composer has cultivated for European cameral different assemblies /H.Harutyunyan, E. Varosyan, NAS /SHCAS/. Traditionally SHHCH conferences reflect also individual artists’ creative activities. So, L. Athanesyan’s report touched upon Gyumri dweller painter Vazgen Stepanyan’s more than 20 years creative biography, the scope of his interests, his favourite topics with the analysis of genric, urban and rural sights, landscapes. A. Margaryan paid attention to famous Gyumri dweller sculptor Zaven Koshtoyan’s life and creative activity. It was mentioned that in the author’s multigenric work, however, the main hero is the old and new Gyumri dweller with his specific composition. A. Gevorgyan’s speech was more summarized devoted to modern manifestations of Gyumri art. The speaker mainly reflected the issues of alternative trades correspondence in post-disastrous Gyumri. Theatrologist l. Mutaphyan had devoted his speech to the appreciation of Shakesparian performances helding in Gyumri dramatic theatre. In C level of the session, valuable reports were touched upon concerning ethnology, folkloristics, and philology. The works were enriched with the reflection of various themes which rose great interest both among the participants and Gyumri dwellers. Gyumrician S. Gyodakyan , chief editor of “Panorama” cultural magazine (now published in the USA), made his speech with the report “Los Angelesian “ Panorama” and Gyumri”, who spoke about the improvement of motherland- diaspora bonds. Karine Bazeyan’s reports were devoted to traditional folk medicine /NAS SHCAS/ , E. Zaqaryan / NAS SHCAS/. On the basis of recorded material K. Sahakyan and R. Hovhannissyan /NAS SHCAS/ presented St Sargis in folk ideas. Zh. Khachatryan /NAS NIA/ spoke about the ritual of making Andeastan. H. Asatryan’s report was about the formulae meaning of names of child games in Gyumrician children.
N. Margaryan’s report devoted to standing monuments in Gyumri public territories, became the cause of observations and discussions. Gyumri’s traditional dish, this time, was presented in the scopes of “Tari bread/ N. Shamamyan, NAS NIA/ and at the end of the 20th c., and the beginning of the 21th century’s New Year rite/O.Haroyan, NAS SHCAS/. Speeches were heard concerning the role of woman in modern Gyumri’s religious communities as well as and about the results of their attitudes, appreciation/S. Poghosyan, A. Stepanyan, NIA/. The literal life was presented with modern emphasis and approaches. D. Gasparyan’s “From eternity to Kars” speech with sharp emphasis in the first session was devoted Egh. Charents’s newly manuscript heritage. Av. Isahakyan spoke about Shirakian sources of the Isahakyan dynasty. Mkrtich Armen’s Skaut+89” novel’s description was devoted to G. Khachatryan’s /GSPI/report, which gave the fiction description of Leninakian orphanages’ life. A. Karapetyan, headmaster of Armenian writers’ union of Gyumri department presented writer Patvakan Ghukasyan’s portrait, creative heritage. Intercultural modern issues were touched upon in the reports of A. Sargsyan /A. Sahakyan/GSPI/ A. Ter-Minasyan. The works of all branches were summarized both at the end of work agenda and the conference’s final session. Chairmen of the branches made their concise speeches: M. Hasratyan, S. Petrosyan and S. Poghosyan. They nearly made thorough survey for all speeches. So, one forum devoted to armenology was summarized which continued the best traditions of armenological researches.In his final speech Headmaster of ShA center S. Hayrapetyan spoke ShHCH international 8th conference, its foremost problems and the realization of aims. That scientific event of great scope was marked in the context of modern armenological development, due to which the investigations of Shirak researches were underlined and immediate tasks in the first quarter of the 21th century.
The Gyumri Youth Palace and the Gyumri Branch of National Centre of Aesthetics hosted an international conference with the title "NORTHERN ARMENIA AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY (historical and cultural combinations)" on October 22–23, 2021. The fourth and final international conference of Armenologists for this year was held. The reports primarily addressed themes related to ethnography in the northern areas of Armenia, various topics related to ancient and modern history, the dissemination of fresh findings from archaeological research, and the treasures found in the folk architecture and music of the north of our nation.
"Kakhtik - Hamshen as a part of the Armenian homeland and statehood", "Russian and European travellers in Northern Armenia (until 1820)","Shirakian notes of Komitas","The Greek presence of the Mkhitarians of Venice in the public life of Alexandrapol","Local conversations about the famous superstories of Gyumri-Alexandrapol", "The artistic life of Alexandropol at the beginning of the 20th century", "The artistic fabric of Shirak at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century", "The changes of the number of national minorities in the population of Shirak region (end of the 20th century - beginning of the 21st century)" and other scientific reports were read with particular attention. The best evidence that the north of Armenia is still of interest to many Armenologists today was found in these and numerous more publications written by our experts as well as those from roughly two dozen other universities abroad. Thirty three reports will be published in the Center's "Scientific Works" third edition of volume 24 (2021) of the periodical as per the conference guarantee.
The second international conference, "NORTHERN ARMENIA AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY (historical and cultural combinations)" took place at the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA in Gyumri on September 23–24, 2023. It was devoted to covering a wide range of intricate concerns and difficulties related to the history and culture of the northern areas of the historical Great Hayk: Tayk and Gugark worlds, and the Vanand and Shirak provinces of the Airarat world. The neighbours pose a threat to the historical and cultural legacy of the Armenian people today. The church of Tigran Honents of Ani, Akhtala, Hnevank, Kobair, and other memorials are specifically mentioned. The Armenian historical and cultural monuments situated in the passed-over lands to Azerbaijan in recent years are in risk of the same kind. In this case, it is imperative to respond honourably to attempts to distort history, and to give a new life to the scientific, all-encompassing, multi-field studies of the historical and cultural legacy of the region. The majority of the reports read at the conference focused on the ethnographic challenges facing northern regions of Armenia, various topics related to both ancient and modern history, the dissemination of fresh findings from archaeological research, and the riches of the folk architecture of the region. With the assurance of the editorial board, the majority of reports presented at the Second International Scientific Conference were made available to readers as scientific articles a month later. These articles comprised a compilation of conference materials and included 17 articles covering a range of intricate topics including Northern Armenian history, archaeology, ethnography, engineering, and art. The collection was published under the code 21T-2A292 "Tyk in the 9-11 centuries (historical-architectural study)" within the framework of the scientific theme of the Center, thanks to financing from the Science Committee of RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.
From July 15-21, a summer school entitled “The Architecture of Shirak from Ancient Times to Our Days” was held in Gyumri on the initiative of the Shirak Center for Armenian Studies of the RA NAS and with the funding of the All-Armenian Foundation for Armenian Studies. A comprehensive program on the history of Armenian architecture was implemented using the example of the Shirak region of the Republic of Armenia, the goal of which was to teach the participants to see, understand, analyze and present the historical and architectural heritage of the region.
On the first, third and fifth days, classroom courses were organized. The courses touched upon the stages of architectural development, the significance of architecture in the history of Armenian culture, ancient monuments and their peculiarities in the Armenian Highlands. In the course of the second classroom meeting, the achievements of the early and developed medieval architecture of Armenia became the core subject of discussion. Emphasis was placed on the coverage of the Ani-Shirak Armenian architectural school. The last day of the classroom meeting started with a presentation of the architectural achievements of the late medieval Armenia. Afterwards, an emphasis was put on the presentation of urban, defensive, spiritual, public, residential and other architectural structures of Kumayri-Alexandrapol-Leninakan-Gyumri from the 19th century to the present day.
Field work was conducted on the second, fourth and sixth days of the Architectural Summer School. In order to consolidate their theoretical knowledge, the school participants visited the ancient sites of Horom, Spandaryan and Benyamin, the Marmashen monastery complex, the St. Gevorg and St. Astvatsatsin churches of Artik, the Harich monastery complex, the Gusanagyugh castle-fortress, the Yereruyk temple, the “Black Fortress” of Alexandrapol, the “Horse-shaped Fortress”, the St. Amenaprkich and St. Astvatsatsin churches of Gyumri, and other structures of religious and public importance. On the last working day, a competition was held under the title “Discovering the Signs of the Master”, after which the school participants were awarded certificates, and expressed their opinions via the digital platform in order to organize the School’s work more effectively in the future.
On the initiative of the Shirak Center for Armenian Studies of the NAS of the Republic of Armenia and with the funding of the All-Armenian Foundation for Armenian Studies, the “2nd International Summer School for Young Archaeologists” started its work at the Jradzor archaeological site from July 1-7; students of the History Department of Yerevan, Vanadzor, Shirak and Samtskhe-Javakheti Universities of Georgia participated. During the first four days, the students participated in the excavations of the archaeological site and listened to a lecture delivered by the archeologist H. Simonyan on the methodology of conducting archeological research
During the summer school, Ivan Semyan, a researcher at the Experimental Archaeology Laboratory of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA, presented Stone Age technologies for obsidian processing. The students tested retouching, chipping and other operations, and also made obsidian tools. The knowledge gained during the fieldwork was reinforced by cognitive visits to the historical core of Gyumri and the “Kumair” historical and cultural reserve-museum. On the fifth day, Ivan Semyan, a researcher at the Experimental Archaeology Laboratory of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA, presented some reconstructed samples of Bronze Age weapons: a sling, a spear and a mace. The student participants studied the techniques of using Bronze Age weapons and performed experimental stone throwing with a sling.
The students listened to the lecture delivered by PhD scholar B. Vardanyan on the Bronze Age of Armenia, then I. Semyan tested a two-pipe musical instrument widespread in the Middle East - the avlos, after which he also presented the technology of bronze casting and, with the participation of students, prepared an Early Bronze Age arrowhead found in the Lchashen burial ground. On the sixth and seventh days, the students participating in the school continued the excavations of the tufa monumental structure discovered in the Jradzor fortress. It is expected that the “International Summer School of Young Archaeologists” will become a unique platform for Armenian-Georgian scientific and cultural cooperation. The activities of the summer school were widely covered by the Armenian and foreign media.
The "INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL OF YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS" was held on July 11–17, 2023, in the Shirak region, with funding from the All Armenian Fund, which supports the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA. The event was based on an expedition that explored the Bronze-Iron Age archaeological site of Jradzor. Armenian students at the universities of Armenia and Javakhk had the chance to learn practical skills in archaeology and several other relevant scientific fields at the Archaeological Summer School of Jradzor. Students from the history departments of Samtskhe-Javakhet University in Georgia and Vanadzor State University in Armenia attended the school. The summer archaeological school participants were introduced to the issues of Shirak marz/region archaeology on their first day of visitation, which included familiarisation excursions to historical districts of Gyumri and the Museum of History of Gyumri.Summer school students started participating in the Bronze-Iron Age fortification of Jradzor excavations on July 11, 2023. The students became familiar with the archaeological work tools and learned how to set up an excavation site on the first day of the dig. The students partially breached the walls of the Iron Age building that same day. The International Summer School of Young Archaeologists students worked at the excavation site close to the fortified second vault of entryway and tower of Jradzor on their third working day.
The latter uncovered obsidian items, animal bones, and pieces of pottery during the excavations. The head of the restoration lab, Tigran Zakyan, and anthropologist Hasmik Simonyan of the Non Comercial State Organization were hosted on the fourth working day of the "International Summer School of Young Archaeologists." Using anthropological remains, archaeologist H. Simonyan taught the students the fundamentals of archeology. Tigran Zakyan, the head of the restoration laboratory, demonstrated pottery restoration techniques to the summer school attendees using pieces of pottery that had been excavated from the ancient site. The students at the International Summer School resumed their excavation of the defensive wall and shelf of Jradzor on the fifth working day of the programme. Students took part in two experimental archaeology courses that were conducted at the excavation site. Ivan Semyan, an archaeologist and the director of the "Red Hill" section of the "Erebun" historical-archaeological reserve-museum, demonstrated how to make bronze using methods similar to those used in the Bronze Age. An ornament made of bronze was created during the experiment.
The basics of processing obsidian, including techniques for employing plants to make threads and knots, were explained by Nikolay Tsoi, the master of Stone Age technology restoration. During the experiment, spearheads and arrowheads were made. The region of the cuneiform inscription left by the Urartian king Argishti I and the mediaeval monastic complex in Marmashen were visited by the participating students on the final working day. Ivan Semyan, an archaeologist and expert in restoring ancient technology, taught the students how to play the vargan, avlos, and duduk—three examples of modern musical instruments—as well as Stone Age and Bronze Age instruments within the Marmashen monastery complex. Arranged by the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA, the "International Summer School of Young Archaeologists" was the first such Armenian-Georgian initiative. It was significant for strengthening cultural and educational relations between Armenia and Georgia in addition to the gathering and use of new archaeological knowledge.
In Gyumri, the autumn school of young scientists with the theme "The lessons of history, old problems and new challenges of 1920-2020" took place from November 23 to 29, 2020. More than a dozen scientific report-lectures in the form of articles were presented at the conference with the aim of providing fresh insight into the sequence of events that occurred a century ago and enabling aspiring historians to view and analyse historical facts objectively, thereby preventing the dangerous repetition of past errors that are happening at the moment.
The Shirak Center for Armenological Studies NAS RA hosted a republican summer school for young historians titled "Issues of Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Restoration of Historical Rights" from July 20 to July 30, 2015. This traditional purpose of this summer school was to fix in the Armenian youth the new path that all Armenians have adopted—the demand—in honour of the 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide. Both field and classroom settings were used for the courses. The field courses were conducted in historical sites of Shirak, which served as symbols for some of the facts surrounding the Armenian Genocide, including massacres of huge numbers of Armenians and conflicts over self-defense. Specifically, field trainings took place in the Dzithankov, Sarnaghbyur, Hartagyugh and Arpeni settlements.
The participatory approaches used in the summer school sessions ensured greater participation from the attendees. Tests, practical work, and round tables were mixed in with theoretical instruction. Students were previously told to study them in the literature. It is advised that they read the booklet titled "A Guide to the Young Ambassador. Arguments about the Armenian Genocide" written by Turkologist Artak Shaqaryan, and also a bibliographic list regarding the Armenian Genocide developed by Arman Maloyan, the chief expert of the National Institute of Education. Young historians from the regions of Shirak and Lori, from Gyumri and Yerevan cities attended the course; some even took part in its second year of activity. Researchers from the National Institute of Education of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the National Archives of Armenia, and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia comprised the majority of the teaching staff. The shift from the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the compensation plan and the notion of restoring historical justice was the central theme of the school. The speech "Armenia and Turkey on the eve of and after the 100th anniversary" presented by K. Aleksanyan served as a summary of the activities of the school. The school also discussed how to educate about the Armenian Genocide, putting a strong emphasis on developing attitudes for students towards the genocide and their capacity to acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge. Specifically, through the practical work "The Art of Staying Alive"(Voghj Mnalu Arvesty) and "The Memoirs of My Great Aunt" (Mets Mamis Hushery) held at the school, participants had the chance to learn practical skills. The institution placed special emphasis on the contribution that youth activities made to the acknowledgement and assertion of the Armenian Genocide.
The republican summer school of young historians "Study of historical and cultural heritage of Shirak" took place in Gyumri from August 18–24, 2014. This efficient kind of informal education offers a great chance to plan a memorable summer vacation and enhance oneself with new information. On August 18, the school officially opened in the meeting hall of the "Araqs" hotel complex. K. Aleksanyan, the coordinator of the school's activities, and S. Hayrapetyan, the director of Shirak Center for Armenological Studies greeted the participants, who were history teachers from several villages in the Shirak region and schools in Gyumri, as well as post-graduate students and masters. During their speech, the achievements of Armenology and especially the achievements of the Armenian Studies Center in recent years were highlighted, the problems of making young specialists who have tendencies to engage in Armenology mature, strengthening the connection between school and science. V. Matevosyan, a political science candidate, discussed the position and function of non-formal education in the contemporary educational system.
On August 19, the school began with lectures outside in the Herher Valley. The work "Western Armenian emigration in Shirak /19th-early 20th century/" by A. Hayrapetyan and the work "Alexandrapol province during the Turkish occupation" by K. Aleksanyan, both focus on the tragic early 20th-century period in the history of Shirak, where one of the most agonising occurrences is connected to this location. The exquisite art of Gyumri at the start of the twenty-first century was discussed in the home-museum of Minas Avetisyan in the village of Jajur. The third day of classes started in the Azatan Village Military Museum, where a discussion on the creation of the national ideology was held in the framework of the psyche of a future soldier.
The school participants travelled to Spandaryan village on August 21. There, they first had the chance to learn about the cuneiform inscription of the Urartian period. Afterward, they went to the village history museum, which houses priceless historical and archaeological artefacts. The entire academic day that followed was spent in the home and museum of Avetik Isahakyan in Gyumri. Following an introduction to the priceless artefacts of the Master's family and the years he spent living in Gyumri, the participants listened to reports by K. Bazeyan on the "Current State of Crafts and Economic Occupations in Shirak," R. Hovhannisyan on the "Modern Literary Life of Shirak," and H. Harutyunyan on the "Current State of Traditional Music of Shirak."
The "City community and self-government of Alexandropol" report by G. Aghanyan opened the final working day of the school. A round table was then held to summarise the accomplishments of the school. The summer course for young historians, despite being brief, succeeded in its mission thanks to hard work and a bridge that connected the innovative search of the Shirak Center for Armenological Studies with the interests of young specialists, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
Սեպտեմբերի 28-30-ին Հայագիտական ուսումնասիրությունները ֆինանսավորող համահայկական հիմնադրամի աջակցությամբ ԳԱԱ Շիրակի հայագիտական հետազոտությունների կենտրոնում անցկացվեց «Պատմական Տայքը պատմության խաչուղիներում (պատմամշակութային համադրություններ)» միջազգային գիտաժողովը: Ներկայացվեցին Պատմական Տայքի և հարակից շրջանների պատմության, ազգաբանության, արվեստի և ճարտարապետության թեմաներով 27 զեկուցումներ: Գիտաժողովի մասնակիցների կողմից ընդունվեց ՀԱՅՏԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ: Մեծ Հայքի Տայք նահանգն իր 8 գավառներով հարուստ է պատմամշակութային ժառանգությամբ և աչքի է ընկնում պահպանված հուշարձանների աննախադեպ բազմազանությամբ: Պահպանվել են բազմաթիվ ամրոցներ, պաշտմունքային, հասարակական, բնակելի կառույցներ ու համալիրներ։ Տայոց աշխարհի ճարտարապետությունը հետաքրքիր կերպով զուգահեռվում է Մեծ Հայքի Սյունիք, Այրարատ, Գուգարք, Տուրուբերան և այլ աշխարհների նմանատիպ ժառանգության հետ, և ըստ կառուցապատման և քաղաքաշինական լուծումների ընդհանուր զարգացմամբ այն անցել է Հայկական լեռնաշխարհի և նրա հարակից շրջանների բնակավայրաշինության ավանդույթների զարգացման բոլոր փուլերով:
Մեր օրերում առավել քան հրատապ է պատմական Մեծ Հայքի այս գողտրիկ հատվածի մշակութային ժառանգության բազմակողմանի փաստագրումն ու պահպանությունը, քանի որ դրանք նյութական լուռ վկաներն են մեր՝ հայերիս բնիկության: Թուրքական իշխանություններն այստեղ կառուցում են ջրամբարների ցանց՝ ջրի տակ թողնելով ամբողջական բնակավայրեր։ Մեծ թվով հուշարձաններ էլ բզկտվում են գանձագողերի կողմից։ Այս պարագայում անհրաժեշտ է առավել ուշադրություն դարցնել միջգիտակարգային հետազոտությունների իրականացմանը, քանի որ որոշ կառույցների հետ, ցավոք, հնարավոր է որ, առնչվում ենք վերջին անգամ։ Միջազգային գիտաժողովի մասնակիցներս կոչ ենք անում ՀՀ ԿԳՄՍ նախարարությանն ու հասարակական կազմակերպություններին՝ առանձնահատուկ ուշադրություն դարձնել մեր ժառանգության փաստագրմանն ու միջգիտակարգային հետազոտություններին, որպեսզի անդառնալիորեն չկորցնենք այդքան կարևոր հազարամյակներով ավանդված մշակույթը:
In 2011 became the 1050th anniversary of Ani, as the capital of the Armenian Bagratuni dynasty. The employees of Shirak’s centre of armenological studies NAS, RA celebrated this inmost anniversary in their own way. On September 10-12 they went on a sacred pilgrimage to Armenia to celebrate the cherished anniversary in Armenian space capital Ani. This was an exceptional phenomenon not only in the center’s scientific life, but also in the temple of Ani.Under the dome arches of Ani’s StVirgin catholic church, the scientific readings were read with the entrance of blessed sounds of the Lord’s Prayer devoted to the history, cultural life of medievial Ani.In the devoted speeches of the town’s trades, architecture, archaeology, art, musicology, and other spheres made their speeches Associate professor of philological sciences Sergo Hayrapetyan, scientific workers Karine SahakyanSahakyan (“Ani well-built,world destroyed, world well-built, Ani destroyed”), Karine Bazeyan “About Ani’s embroidering and its heritage”, Hasmik Harutyunyan (Ani’s outstanding musicians”), Laura Athanesyan ‘Ani’s miniature painting”), pedagogist “ Sussanna Koshtoyan (“ Ani in historical crossroads”) and others. A great number of pilgrims and tourists from different angles of the world were present in scientific readings, and the majority of them were our native dwellers of Western Armenia.Ani, as the motherland of Armenian medievial culture, has been and will remain a well of depository for aesthetic perceptions.
That’s why the reports made by Shirakian centre were heard with the greatest interest and ended with numerous questions coming out from scholar narrow spheres. This pilgrimage was also prominent with the fact that it coincided with one of the holidays of Armenian Apostolic church, Saint Cross. The pilgrims did not miss the happy chance of being present in the first St liturgy saying in Akhtamar St Cross Church. In Vana lake “as the pupil in the eye”emerged in this marvelous temple, prayers were offered to God for the saving of our motherland’s saint elements., for the prosperity and strengthening of our mother grass.Shirakian pilgrims continued St Cross’ celebration and got the climax of sacred feelings in standing Varaga StNshan church. The atmosphere was so as Mkrtich Khrimyan’s and the prayers surrounding him were heard from the ancient walls. Returning Shiak world all employees of SHCAS with unexplainable force and will are preparing for newly pilgrimages and anticipate to carry out armenological discoveries in historical marvelous land