¡ & K Telecom CJSC, 2009Ã.

ISBN # 978-99941-2-312-4

§Ð³Û»óÇ ³åñáõÙÝ»ñ¦. Ù³ë ãáññáñ¹, ºñ¨³Ý, 2009, 160 ¿ç §¸ÇÇÙ øáÙÛáõÝÇù»Ûßݽ¦ ·áí³½¹³ÛÇÝ ·áñͳϳÉáõÃÛáõÝ

§Ð³Û»óÇ ³åñáõÙÝ»ñ¦ ·ñùÇ ãáññáñ¹ ÃáÕ³ñÏáõÙÝ Áݹ·ñÏáõÙ ¿ ѳÛÏ³Ï³Ý É»éݳß˳ñÑÝ Çñ áÕç ÑÙ³Ûùáí: ¶ñùáõÙ ï»Õ ·ï³Í åñáý»ëÇáÝ³É Éáõë³ÝϳñÝ»ñÁ Ù»Ïݳμ³ÝíáõÙ »Ý Ù»çμ»ñáõÙÝ»ñáí Ñ³Û ¨ ³Ûɳ½·Ç ٻͻñÇ Ñ³Û³ëï³ÝÛ³Ý ïå³íáñáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñÇó áõ ëï»Õͳ·áñÍáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñÇó:

¶ÇñùÁ Ññ³ï³ñ³Ïí³Í ¿ §Ô-î»É»ÏáÙ¦ ö´À å³ïí»ñáí ¨ ݳ˳ï»ëí³Í ã¿ í³×³éùÇ Ñ³Ù³ñ:

¶ñùáõÙ Áݹ·ñÏí³Í μáÉáñ ÝÛáõûñÝ áõ Éáõë³ÝϳñÝ»ñÁ å³ßïå³Ýí³Í »Ý Ñ»ÕÇݳϳÛÇÝ Çñ³íáõÝùáí: ¸ñ³Ýó ³åûñÇÝÇ í»ñ³Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏáõÙÁ Ï»ÝóñÏíÇ ËÇëï å³ï³ë˳ݳïíáõÃÛ³Ý` ÐÐ ûñ»Ýë¹ñáõÃÛ³Ùμ ë³ÑÙ³Ýí³Í ϳñ·áí:

îå³·ñáõÃÛáõÝÁ` §ÈÇÙáõߦ ïå³·ñ³ï³Ý, ºñ¨³Ý, г۳ëï³Ý

гñ·»ÉÇ ÁÝÏ»ñÝ»ñ, ÐÛáõñÁÝϳɻÉáí ï³ñí³ μáÉáñ »Õ³Ý³ÏÝ»ñÇÝ, ÑdzóÝ»Éáí Ù»½ ѳñ³÷á÷áË ·áõÛÝ»ñáí áõ §ê³ñ ß³ñÅáÕÁ ù³ñ»ñÇó ¿ ëÏëáõÙ¦, Ëáëùë ï»ë³ñ³ÝÝ»ñáí, г۳ëï³ÝÇ É»éÝ»ñÁ ãÇÝ³Ï³Ý ³ë³óí³Íùáí »Ù μ³óáõÙ, ù³Ý½Ç ËóÝáõÙ »Ý Ù»ñ »ñ¨³Ï³ÛáõÃÛáõÝÝ áõ ÙÕáõÙ ³ÛÝ ³Ý¹ñ³¹³éÝáõÙ ¿ ìÇí³ê»É-Øîê ³ñϳÍÝ»ñÇ: ÁÝÏ»ñáõÃÛ³Ý Ñ³í³ï³ÙùÇÝ ¨ å³ïÙáõÃÛ³ÝÁ` ͳÝñ ³ß˳ï³Ýùáí áõ ѳí³ïáí: âùÝ³Õ ¿ áõ ³ÝÏñÏÝ»ÉÇ Ñ³Ûáó É»éݳß˳ñÑÁ` ųÛé³Ïá÷ ÏÇñ×»ñáí, ÓÛáõݳå³ï àõÕÇÝ ³Ý³Ýó³Ý»ÉÇ ¿ñ ÃíáõÙ, ËݹÇñÝ»ñÁ ·³·³ÃÝ»ñáí, ·áñ·³Ý³Ëß É³Ýç»ñáí áõ ³ÝѳÕóѳñ»ÉÇ, í»ñ»ÉùÁ ½³ñïáõÕÇ: ÆÝ㨿, ÙÃÇÝ ³Ýï³éÝ»ñáí: Ø»ñ »ñ·Ý áõ í»ñùÝ »Ý ѽáñ Ý»ñùÇÝ ÙÕáõÙ áõÝ»ÇÝù, áñÇÝ Ñ³í³ïáõ٠ѳÛáó É»éÝ»ñÁ: ¿ÇÝù áõ ß³ñáõݳÏáõÙ »Ýù ѳí³ï³É: гí³ï³óÇÝù Ù»ñ »ñÏñÇÝ, Ù»ñ ÅáÕáíñ¹ÇÝ, ²Ù»Ý Ñ³Û Ñ³ë³Ï ¿ ³éÝáõÙ É»éÝ»ñÇ Ù³ëÇÝ Ù»ñ Ý»ñϳÛÇÝ áõ ³ÝóÛ³ÉÇÝ ¨ å³Ûͳé É»éÝ»ñÇ ½³í³Ï Ù»ñ åá»ïÝ»ñÇ áõ ³å³·³ ëï»ÕÍ»Éáõ Ù»ñ Ñݳñ³íáñáõÃÛ³ÝÁ: ѳÝ׳ñÝ»ñÇ ëï»Õͳ·áñÍáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñáí áõ ë»ñݹ»ë»ñáõݹ ÷á˳Ýóí³Í Úáõñ³ù³ÝãÛáõñ ï³ñ»ÙáõïÇ Ñ³Ý¹ÇåáõÙÁ ³í³Ý¹áõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñáí: Úáõñ³ù³ÝãÛáõñë Ù»ñ ëÇñ»ÉÇ ·áñÍÁÝÏ»ñÝ»ñÇ Ñ»ï ·»Õ»óÇÏ å³ñïùÁ åÇïÇ Ñ³Ù³ñ»Ýù ³ÏݳͳÝùáí ³í³Ý¹áõÛà ¿ ¹³ñÓ»É: áõ ëñμáõÃÛ³Ùμ å³Ñå³Ý»É áõ »ÏáÕ ë»ñáõݹݻñÇÝ ÷á˳Ýó»É É»éÝ»ñÇ Ù³ëÇÝ ²ÛëåÇëáí, ÏñÏÇÝ Ñ³Ý¹ÇåáõÙ »Ýù Ò»½ Ù»ñ μ³Ý³ëï»ÕÍáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñÝ áõ Ñ»ï §Ð³Û»óÇ ³åñáõÙÝ»ñ¦ ãáññáñ¹ ·ñùÇ ³í³Ý¹³å³ïáõÙÝ»ñÁ, áñå»ë ѳÙÁݹѳÝáõñ ¿ç»ñáõÙ: Þ³ñùÁ áõñ³ËáõÃÛ³Ùμ ÝíÇñáõÙ ·Çï³ÏóáõÃÛ³Ý ÙÇ Ù³ë: »Ýù г۳ëï³ÝÇ ãùÝ³Õ μݳß˳ñÑÇÝ: ²Ûë ÃáÕ³ñÏáõÙÁ Éáõë³μ³ÝáõÙ ¿ ³Ù»Ý³Ññ³- ì³Û»É»°Ýù ÙdzëÇÝ ×³Ý³å³ñÑáñ¹áõÃÛáõÝÁ ß³·»ÕÝ áõ Ýϳñ³·ñ³Ï³ÝÁ` Ù»ñ É»éÝ»ñÁ: ѳÛáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ:

ÐáñǽáÝáõÙ μ³ñÓñ áõ ËñáËï Ï³Ý·Ý³Í ìÇí³ê»É-Øîê. ³í»ÉÇÝ ù³Ý ûå»ñ³ïáñ É»éÝ»ñÁ Éáõé íϳݻñÝ »Ý Ù»ñ ¹³ñ³íáñ è³Éý ÚÇñÇÏÛ³Ý ³ÝóÛ³ÉÇ ÷³éùÇ áõ ÏáñáõëïÝ»ñÇ, Ù»ñ ¶É˳íáñ ïÝûñ»Ý Ýí³×áõÙÝ»ñÇ áõ Ù³ù³éáõÙÝ»ñÇ: ìÇí³ê»É-Øîê Dear Friends, as they gracefully move through the seasons, delighting us with their changing colors and “The man who moves a mountain begins by scenes. We grew up with the stories of these carrying away small stones". I chose to start my mountains as part of our collective conscious- message with this Chinese proverb because it ness and it is our duty to pass them on to our reflects our belief at VivaCell-MTS and the story children, imparting onto them the same sense of how our company began – with hard work of awe and connectedness to our Land. and faith. We have inherited a land filled with majestic The road at times seemed tough, the tasks mountain ranges whose landscapes vary from seemed daunting and the climb was steep. rocky canyons, to snow-topped peaks, to grassy Yet we had a strong driving force on our side – pastures, to lush green forests. These moun- we believed, and we still do. We believe in our tain ranges are the backbone of our Nation. Nation, in our people, in our past and present, We proudly identify our culture, traditions and and in our capacity to create a bright future. everyday life with them. Our mountains have shielded our people from harm time and time And so we meet again, over the pages of again throughout our history. Their ruggedness the Fourth Edition of Armenian Impressions, and imposing stature breathe a sense of indi- a series we proudly dedicate to Armenia’s viduality and strength into our people. cultural, historical and natural beauty. This edition highlights the most awe-inspiring This book is dedicated to our Land — a dedication and characteristically Armenian of our natural that is reflected not only in its photos, but in the features — our mountains. poems, songs and legends accompanying them.

Standing tall and righteous in the horizons, We hope you will enjoy the journey over the our mountains have witnessed the glories and spectacular mountains of Armenia in the sorrows of our past, framing the lives of the Fourth Edition of Armenian Impressions. Armenian Nation for thousands of years. Our mountains speak to us. They tell us the stories VivaCell-MTS… More than operator! of our vibrant past. Year after year, they cap- Ralph Yirikian ture our imagination and sense of adventure VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ä Ç Ñ Ü à ä å é ê í î ñ ò ö ú û † ¢ § ¶ ® ™ ¨ ‡ ‚ ‰ Ê Ë Í Ï Ó Ú ‡Ù ˆ ¯ & ˙ ¸ §àëÏ»¦ ųÛé»ñ. ÊáëñáíÇ ³ñ·»Éáó | “Golden” cliffs. Khosrov Reserve

ܳ˳μ³Ý Preface

§Ð³Û»óÇ ³åñáõÙÝ»ñ¦ ãáññáñ¹ ·ñùáõÙ Ò»ñ The fourth edition of the Armenian Impressions áõß³¹ñáõÃÛ³ÝÝ ¿ Ññ³Ùóíáõ٠ѳÛÏ³Ï³Ý series offers you fascinating views of the Armenian É»éݳß˳ñÑÝ` Çñ áÕç ßù»ÕáõÃÛ³Ùμ Highland in all its glory, as its colors and textures áõ ·ñ³íãáõÃÛ³Ùμ, ï³ñí³ μáÉáñ elegantly transform from season to season and »Õ³Ý³ÏÝ»ñÇÝ, ûñí³ ó³Ýϳó³Í å³ÑÇÝ: from daybreak to nightfall.

гÛÏ³Ï³Ý ãùÝ³Õ É»éݳß˳ñÑÁ ïå³íáñÇã Everybody can appreciate the striking beauty of ¿ Ûáõñ³ù³ÝãÛáõñÇ Ñ³Ù³ñ: ê³Ï³ÛÝ, áã μáÉáñÇÝ Armenia’s mountainous landscapes, but not every- ¿ ѳçáÕíáõÙ ÃéãáõÝÇ ³ãùáí ¹Çï»É μÝáõÃÛ³Ý body has the opportunity to take them in from a ³ÝÝϳñ³·ñ»ÉÇ Ññ³ßùÝ»ñÁ: ²Ýßáõßï, unique bird’s-eye view. This book allows you to soar ³Ûë ·ÇñùÁ Ïï³ Ñݳñ³íáñáõÃÛáõÝ ÙïáíÇ above the mountains of Armenia, and learn about ë³í³éÝ»Éáõ г۳ëï³ÝÇ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, their cultural significance as one of the nation’s áõëáõÙݳëÇñ»Éáõ ³½·³ÛÇÝ ËáñÑñ¹³ÝÇß most powerful symbols. ¹³ñÓ³Í ù³ñÝ áõ ë³ñÁ: For millennia, the rugged, rocky slopes of Armenia Æñ ϳ½Ù³íáñÙ³Ý ûñÇó ѳÛÁ ÏéÇí ¿ ïí»É have been its people’s greatest friend and foe — áõ μ³ñ»Ï³Ù³ó»É ù³ñÇ Ñ»ï: гÛÁ ëÇñ»É ¿ shielding them from harm’s way and presenting Çñ ù³ñáï ÑáÕÝ áõ ÝÙ³Ýí»É Çñ É»éÝ»ñÇÝ: colossal challenges. A civilization built among øñïÇÝù ¿ ó÷»É, í³ñ»É, ó³Ý»É áõ ϳéáõó»É crags and stones, Armenians identify with their ³å³é³ÅÝ»ñáõÙ: î³Ýç»É »Ý Çñ³ñ ѳÛÝ áõ mountains. They have toiled, plowed, sowed, and ù³ñÁ, áõ ëñμ³óñ»É Ù»ÏÙ»Ïáõ…. built on their mountains. The country’s alpine landscape is not just a backdrop to, but an integral part of its people’s history. Armenian Mountains гÛÏ³Ï³Ý É»éݳß˳ñÑ

1 Greater Ararat 5165m 10 Miapor Mtns. Ø. سëÇë 5165Ù Ødz÷áñÇ Éß.

2 Lesser Ararat 3925m 11 Geghama Mtns. ö. سëÇë 3925Ù ¶»Õ³Ù³ Éß.

3 Aragats Mountain Chain 4090m 12 Vardenis Mtns. ²ñ³·³ÍÇ É»éݳ½³Ý·í³Í ì³ñ¹»ÝÇëÇ Éß. 4090Ù 13 Karabakh Highland 4 Javakhk Mtns. Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³Ï æ³í³ËùÇ Éß. 14 Vayk Mtns. 5 Bazum Mtns. ì³ÛùÇ Éß. ´³½áõÙÇ Éß. 15 Zangezur Mtns. 6 Gugarats Mtns. ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ Éß. ¶áõ·³ñ³ó Éß. 16 Bargushat Mtns. 7 Pambak Mtns. ´³ñ·áõß³ïÇ Éß. ö³Ùμ³ÏÇ Éß. 17 Meghri Mtns. 8 Areguni Mtns. Ø»Õñáõ Éß. ²ñ»·áõÝÇ Éß. 18 Artsakh Mtns. 9 Sevan Mtns. ²ñó³ËÇ Éß. ê&³ÝÇ Éß.

Éß. – É»éݳßÕó Mtns. – mountains/mountain range

ÄÄÄÓARARAT The highest peak of the Armenian Highland, Mount Ararat, consists of two гÛÏ³Ï³Ý μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³ÏÇ ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ ·³·³ÃÁ ²ñ³ñ³ï cone-shaped mountains on a single base: Greater Ararat and Lesser Ararat, ¶²¶²ÂܺðÆ É»éÝ ¿, ϳ½Ùí³Í ¿ Ù»Ï ÑÇÙùÇ íñ³ »ñÏáõ ÏáݳӨ É»éÝ»ñÇó` Ø»Í commonly referred to in Armenian as Mets (Greater) Masis and Pokr (Lesser) ´²ðÒðàôÂÚàôÜÀ. ØºÌ Ø²êÆê. 5165 Ø HEIGHT: GREATER ARARAT 5165 M سëÇë ¨ öáùñ سëÇë ϳ٠êÇë, ÇÝãå»ë ÁݹáõÝí³Í ¿ ³ë»É ѳۻñÇ Masis, or Sis. The Book of Genesis identifies this mountain range as the öàøð زêÆê. 3925 Ø LESSER ARARAT 3925 M ßñç³ÝáõÙ: Àëï ÐÇÝ Ïï³Ï³ñ³ÝÇ` Ù»Í çñѻջÕÇó Ñ»ïá ÜáÛ³Ý resting place of Noah's Ark after the Great Flood. Mt. Ararat is an important ºðβðàôÂÚàôÜÀ. 200 ÎØ LENGTH: 200 KM ï³å³ÝÁ ѳݷñí³Ý»É ¿ Ñ»Ýó ³Ûë É»é³Ý ·³·³ÃÇÝ: symbol to Armenians around to world. ARARAT гÛÏ³Ï³Ý É»éݳß˳ñÑdzٻݳμ³ñÓñ ·³·³ÃÇ` Close-up of Mount Ararat, the highest peak of the Armenian High- ²ñ³ñ³ïÇ ÑÛáõëÇë-³ñ¨»ÉÛ³Ý É³ÝçÇÝ »ñ¨áõÙ ¿ ÙÇ Ñëϳ۳ϳÝland. There is a massive chasm on its north-eastern slopes known as ÄÄÄÓ ËáñËáñ³ï, áñÁ ѳÛïÝÇ ¿ §ìÇÑ Ø³ëÛ³ó¦ ³Ýí³Ùμ: “Vih Masyats” (Precipice of Masis). ºë ÇÙ ³Ýáõß Ð³Û³ëï³ÝÇ ³ñ¨³Ñ³Ù μ³ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ, I love the sun-baked taste of Armenian words, Ø»ñ ÑÇÝ ë³½Ç áÕμ³Ýí³·, ɳó³ÏáõÙ³Í É³ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ, the lilt of ancient lutes in sweet laments, ²ñݳÝÙ³Ý Í³ÕÇÏÝ»ñÇ áõ í³ñ¹»ñÇ μáõÛñÁ í³éÙ³Ý, our blood-red fragrant roses bending àõ ܳÛÇñÛ³Ý ³ÕçÇÏÝ»ñÇ Ñ»½³×ÏáõÝ å³¯ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ£ as in Nayirian dances, still danced by our girls.

êÇñáõÙ »Ù Ù»ñ »ñÏÇÝùÁ Ùáõ·, çñ»ñÁ çÇÝç, ÉÇ×Á Éáõë», I love the deep night sky, our lakes of night, ²ñ¨Ý ³Ùé³Ý áõ ÓÙ»éí³ íÇß³å³Ó³ÛÝ μáõùÁ íë»Ù, the winter winds that howl like dragons, exhaling fire. ØÃáõÙ Ïáñ³Í Ëñ×ÇÃÝ»ñÇ ³ÝÑÛáõñÁÝÏ³É å³ï»ñÁ ë¨ The meanest hut with blackened wall are dear to me; àõ ÑݳÙÛ³ ù³Õ³ùÝ»ñÇ Ñ³½³ñ³ÙÛ³ ù³¯ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ£ each of the thousand your old city stones.

àõñ ¿¯É ÉÇݻ٠- 㻯٠Ùáé³Ý³ »ë áÕμ³Ó³ÛÝ »ñ·»ñÁ Ù»ñ, Wherever I go I take our mournful music. â»°Ù Ùáé³Ý³ ³ÕáÃù ¹³ñÓ³Í »ñϳó·Çñ ·ñù»ñÁ Ù»ñ, our steel forged letters turned to prayers. ÆÝãù³Ý ¿É ëá°õñ ëÇñïë Ëáó»Ý ³ñÛáõݳù³Ù í»ñù»ñÁ Ù»ñ - However sharp my wounds or drained of blood ¾Éǯ »ë áñμ áõ ³ñݳí³é Ç٠г۳ëï³Ý - Û³¯ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ£ or orphaned, my yearning heart turns there with love.

Æ٠ϳñáï³Í ëñïÇ Ñ³Ù³ñ á¯ã ÙÇ áõñÇß Ñ»ùdzà ãϳ․ There is no brow, no mind like Narek’s, Koutchag’s ܳñ»Ï³óáõ, øáõã³ÏÇ å»ë Éáõë³åë³Ï ׳ϳï ãϳ․ no mountain peak like Ararat’s. ²ß˳¯ñÑ ³Ýóǯñ, ²ñ³ñ³ïÇ ÝÙ³Ý ×»ñÙ³Ï ·³·³Ã ãϳ․ Search the world there is no crest so white so holy. ÆÝãå»ë ³Ýѳë ÷³éùÇ ×³Ù쳪 »ë Ç٠سëÇë 볯ñÝ »Ù ëÇñáõÙ£ So like an unreached road to glory, Massis Mountain that I love. ºÔÆÞº â²ðºÜò YEGHISHE CHARENTS

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 7 ARAGATS ²ñ³·³ÍDzñ¨ÙïÛ³Ý ¨ ÐÛáõëÇë³ÛÇÝ ·³·³ÃÝ»ñÁ. ³Ù³é³ÛÇÝ ï»ë³ñ³Ý Western and Northern peaks of Aragats. A midsummer view. Ä ÄÑÄö

Ø»ÕñÇÇ É»éݳßÕó. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ Meghri Mountains (Syunik Region)

ØÃݳÓáñÁ ·ïÝíáõÙ ¿ ÞÇϳÑáÕÇ ³ñ·»ÉáóáõÙ. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ Mtnadzor (Dark Gorge) is located in Syunik Region’s Shikahogh Reserve.

ØÂܲÒàð MTNADZOR

…´³ñÓñ »Ý ØÃݳÓáñÇ ë³ñ»ñÁ. ¹ñ³ÝÇó ¿, áñ … The mountains of Mtnadzor are tall. This is why, ³Ùé³Ý »ñϳñ ûñ»ñÇÝ ¿É ³ñ¨Á ÙÇ ù³ÝÇ Å³Ù ¿ even during the long days of summer, the sun illumi- ÉáõÛë ï³ÉÇë ØÃݳÓáñÇ ³Ýï³éÝ»ñÇÝ: ºí »ñμ nates the forests of Mtnadzor for but a few hours. Ñ»é³íáñ ѳñóí³ÛñáõÙ ³ñ¨Á Ýáñ ¿ ûùíáõÙ And when the sun in the distant plains begins to ¹»åÇ ³ñ¨Ùáõïù, ØÃݳÓáñáõÙ ëïí»ñÝ»ñÁ turn westward, the shadows thicken in Mtnadzor. óÝÓñ³ÝáõÙ »Ý, ë³Õ³ñÃÇ ï³Ï ³Ýó÷³Ýó Under the foliage, it becomes pitch black. ˳í³ñ ¿ ÉÇÝáõÙ… AKSEL BAKUNTS ²ÎêºÈ ´²ÎàôÜò

12 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û àñáï³ÝÇ ÏÇñ× (500Ù ËáñáõÃÛ³Ùμ). ï»ë³ñ³Ý A bird’s-eye view of the Vorotan River Gorge. μ³ñÓáõÝùÇó. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ Syunik Region гÛÏ³Ï³Ý μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³ÏÁï³ñ³ï»ë³Ï ZANGEZUR ÃéãáõÝÝ»ñÇ ûè³Ý ¿: ²ñÍÇíÝ»ñÝ áõ μ³½»Ý»ñÁ ·»ñÇßËáõÙ The Armenian Highlands are home to many bird species. Eagles »Ý ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕóÛÇ »ñÏݳϳٳñáõÙ: and hawks dominate the skies of the Zangezur Mountains. äÄ™Ñàä‡Ù

Üáñ³í³ÝùÁ ³éç&Çó. ¶ÝÇßÇÏÇ ÏÇñ×Ç Facing Noravank Monastery, Vayots Dzor Region. ϳñÙÇñ ù³ñ»ñÁ ÇÝùݳïÇåáõÃÛáõÝ »Ý ѳÕáñ¹áõÙ The red cliffs of Gnishik Canyon make the region’s μݳå³ïÏ»ñÇÝ ßñç³ÝáõÙ: ì³Ûáó ÒáñÇ Ù³ñ½ landscape unique.

вÚàò ȺèܺðàôØ

Ø»ñ ׳Ù÷»Ý ˳í³ñ, Ù»ñ ׳Ù÷»Ý ·Çß»ñ, гÛáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, àõ Ù»Ýù ³ÝѳïÝáõÙ ²ñÝáï É»éÝ»ñáõÙ£ ¿Ý ³ÝÉáõÛë ÙÁÃÝáõÙ ºñϳ°ñ ¹³ñ»ñáí ·ÁÝáõÙ »Ýù ¹»å í»ñ àõ Ù»ñ ù³ñí³ÝÁ ßÁ÷áÃ, ëáëϳѳñ, гÛáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, ³ɳÝí³Í, ç³ñ¹í³Í ¸Áųñ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ£ àõ ѳïí³Í-ѳïí³Í î³ÝáõÙ ¿ Çñ»Ý í»ñù»ñÝ ³Ýѳٳñ î³ÝáõÙ »Ýù ÑÁÝáõó Ù»ñ ·³ÝÓ»ñÝ ³Ý·ÇÝ, гÛáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, Ø»ñ ·³ÝÓ»ñÁ Íáí, êáõ·Ç É»éÝ»ñáõÙ£ ÆÝã áñ ¹³ñ»ñáí ºñÏÝ»É ¿, ÍÁÝ»É Ù»ñ ËáñáõÝÏ Ñá·ÇÝ àõ Ù»ñ ³ãù»ñÁ ݳÛáõÙ »Ý ϳñáïª Ð³Ûáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, лéáõ ³ëïÕ»ñÇÝ, ´³ñÓÁñ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ£ ºñÏÁÝùÇ Í»ñÇÝ, » »±ñμ ÏÁμ³óíÇ å³ÛÍ³é ³é³íáïª ´³Ûó ù³ÝÇ ³Ý·³Ù ß»Ï ³Ý³å³ïÇ Ð³Ûáó É»éÝ»ñáõÙ, úñ¹áõÝ»ñÁ ë¨ Î³Ý³ã É»éÝ»ñáõÙ£ Æñ³ñáõ »ï¨ ºÏ³°Ý ½³ñÏ»óÇÝ Ù»ñ ù³ñí³ÝÝ ³½ÝÇí ÐàìвÜܺê ÂàôزÜÚ²Ü

IN THE ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS

The way was heavy and the night was dark, In our blood-smeared land- And yet we survived The Armenian Highlands. Both sorrow and gloom. Through the ages we go and gaze at the stark Yet, plundered and scattered, Steep heights of our land- Our caravan The Armenian Highlands. Sought its way out From among the rocks We carry from old our treasure, Counting the scars of its countless wounds Vast as the sea, In our mournful land- Brought into life The Armenian Highlands. By the great soul of our people, In our lofty land- And we gaze with dolorous, longing eyes The Armenian Highlands. At the earth in its gloom, At the distant stars; How many times Ah, when will the dawn break at last The savage hordes Over our green From the blazing desert Armenian Highlands. Tore and tormented Our caravan HOVHANNES TUMANYAN

18 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û Ì³Ï ù³ñ ·»ïÁí³½áõÙ ¿ ÙdzݳÉáõ The River of Tsak Kar (“rock with a hole”) rushes ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕóÛÇ àÕçÇ ·»ïÇÝ. through the Zangezur Mountains to converge with êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ the Vogchi River. (Syunik Region) KARABAKH ê& ÉÇ×Á Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³ÏáõÙ ¿ ¨ ѳٳñíáõÙ ¿ Sev (Black) Lake, located in the Karabakh Highland, is considered ꨳÝÇó Ñ»ïá »ñÏñáñ¹ Ù»Í É»éݳÛÇÝ ÉÇ×Á г۳ëï³ÝáõÙ: Armenia’s second largest mountain lake, after Lake Sevan. ¢Ä ÄÇÄ¢

ÄARAGATS ÄÑÄö ¶²¶²ÂܺðÆ ´²ðÒðàôÂÚàôÜÀ. ²ñ³·³ÍÁ г۳ëï³ÝÇ ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ É»éÝ ¿: ø³é³·³·³Ã É»é³Ý ÐÚàôêÆê²ÚÆÜ. 4090 Ø HEIGHT OF SUMMITS NORTHERN 4090 M ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ ·³·³ÃÁ ÑÛáõëÇë³ÛÇÝÝ ¿, Ùݳó³Í »ñ»ùÁ ³é³çÇÝÇó ²ðººìØîÚ²Ü. 3989 Ø WESTERN 3989 M ó³Íñ »Ý ÙÇ ù³ÝÇ ï³ëÝÛ³Ï Ù»ïñáí: È»éÝ»ñÇ ³Ûë ßáõñçå³ñÁ An extinct volcano, Mount Aragats is Armenia’s tallest mountain. There are ²ðºìºÈÚ²Ü. 3901 Ø EASTERN 3901 M Ù»Í Ññ³μËÇ Ë³éݳñ³ÝÇ »½ñ»ñÇ Ùݳóáñ¹Ý ¿: ²ñ³·³ÍÇ É³Ýç»ñÇÝ four summits, North (the highest), West, South and East forming the rim of a вð²ì²ÚÆÜ. 3879 Ø SOUTHERN 3879 M ï³ñÇÝ»ñ ß³ñáõÝ³Ï ·áñÍ»É »Ý ÙÇ ß³ñù ·Çï³Ñ»ï³½áï³Ï³Ý volcanic crater. The slopes of Aragats are home to such research institutions as Þð沶ÆÌÀ. 200 ÎØ CIRCULAR RANGE: 200 KM DIAMETER ÇÝëïÇïáõïÝ»ñ: ¸ñ³ÝóÇó ¿ ´Ûáõñ³Ï³ÝÇ ³ëïÕ³¹Çï³ñ³ÝÁ: the Byurakan Observatory. ARAGATS ºÕ³Ý³ÏÝ ²ñ³·³ÍÇíñ³ ß³ï ³ÝϳÝ˳ï»ë»ÉÇ ¿: ²Ùé³Ý ïáÃÇÝ ÙÇ ù³ÝÇ ñáå» ï¨áÕáõÃÛ³Ùμ ÓÛ³Ý ï»ÕáõÙÝ»ñÁ Weather on Mount Aragats is extremely unpredictable. Within minutes, Ä ÄÑÄö ½³ñٳݳÉÇ ã»Ý ³Ûëï»Õ: intense summer heat can give way to snowfall. ²ð²¶²ÌÆÜ ARAGATS

¸áõ, ²ñ³·³Í, ³ÉÙ³ëï í³Ñ³Ý You are a diamond shield, Aragats γÛÍ³Ï»Õ»Ý Ãñ»ñÇ, against lightning swords, your brow ¶³·³ÃÝ»ñ¹ μÛáõñ»Õ íñ³Ý a crest of crystals that top ³÷³é³Ï³Ý ³Ùå»ñÇ: the wandering clouds.

ê»· ųÛé»ñ¹ ³ñÍíÇ μáõÛÝ, Your dark springs have braids of gold, È׳ÏÝ»ñ¹ ÉáõÛë-÷»ñáõ½. your lakes, turquoise light. ²éáõÝ»ñ¹ Ù»çùǹ ÷³ÛÉáõÝ And your haughty cliffs hold ä»ñ× ·áïÇÝ»ñ áëÏ»ÑÛáõë: safe – both eagles' nest and flight.

²ÕμÛáõñÝ»ñ¹ ·Çß»ñ áõ ½ûñ Your butterflies are blazing flowers, ÊáëùÇ μéÝí³Í Çñ³ñ Ñ»ï, fiery blossoms that float by ìï³ÏÝ»ñ¹ ·ÇÉ áõ ·Éáñ as if from a rug weaver's dream ²μñ»ßáõÙ ÷»ß»ñ»¹: they lift up and fly.

ÂÇûéÝ»ñ¹ Ñáõñ-Ññ»Õ»Ý Your skirts, apricot-bright are brilliant, ÂéãáÕ-׳ËñáÕ Í³ÕÇÏÝ»ñ. queen of fragrance. You soar ¼³é áõ ½³ñÙ³Ýù »ñ³½Ý»ñ»Ý amid a thousand flowers with äáÏí³Í Íí»Ý-ÍíÇÏÝ»ñ: a thousand scents and more. ÌÇñ³Ý³í³é ¹áõ ó·áõÑÇ, AVETIK ISAHAKYAN ´áõñáõÙÝ»ñÇ ¹áõ ³ÕμÛáõñ, ̳ÕÇÏÝ»ñ¹ ѳ½³ñ ·áõÛÝÇ, г½³ñ ³ÝáõÝ, ѳ½³ñ μáõÛñ: ²ìºîÆø Æê²Ð²ÎÚ²Ü

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 27 ARTSAKH

ÐáõÝáïÇ ÏÇñ×.ÞáõßÇÇó ³ñ¨»Éù Hunot Canyon, east of Shushi. (Artsakh Mountains) ÄÚÄò

²ñ³ñ³ï É»é³Ýï»ë³ñ³ÝÁ ¶»Õ³Ù³ Mount Ararat viewed from the Geghama Moun- É»éÝ»ñÇó. ¶»Õ³ñùáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ tains. (Gegharkunik Region) Î³Ý·Ý»É áõ ³Ýóñà Çñ³¯ñ »Ýù ݳÛáõÙ We stand rooted, unblinking, eye to eye. º°ë áõ ÇÙ È»°éÁ. my mountain and I. гí³ïÝ, - ³ëáõÙ »Ý,- É»éÝ»¯ñ ¿ ß³ñÅáõÙ. Æ٠ѳí³ïÇó ¿É ÙáÉ»·ÇÝ Ñ³í³±ï,- Faith, they says, moves mountains àñ ÜáÛ³Ý Ñ³ÛïÝÇ çñѻջÕÇ å»ë, as Noah moved you into sight. Üñ³ ·³·³°ÃÝ áõ ɳ¯ÝçÝ ¿ áÕáÕáõÙ… ºí ë³Ï³ÛÝ, ³í³¯Õ, I am filled with the same fanatic flood È»éÝ Çñ ï»Õá°õÙÝ ¿, and still we are planted stones. ÆëÏ »ë - Ç°Ù ï»ÕáõÙ… I curse my own immobility. ܳ Çñ ï»Õá°õÙÝ ¿, Is it for nothing ê³Ï³ÛÝ É»¯é ¿ ݳ, ÆëÏ »±ë. – this is Ararat, I am an Armenian and ²Ý»¯Íù ÇÙ ³Ýß³ñÅáõÃÛ³°ÝÝ áõ still we are apart? ÆÙ ÉéáõÃÛ³°ÝÁ – ØÇû ½á¯õñ ¿, áñ ݳ ²ñ³ñ³°ï ¿, For how long? Satan knows. ÆëÏ »°ë… »°ë… Û³¯Ý »Ù… I am transient, I am mortal Î³Ý·Ý»É áõ ³Ýóñà Çñ³¯ñ »Ýù ݳÛáõÙ I shall pass. º°ë áõ ÇÙ È»°éÁ. ÆÝãù³±Ý ÏÙݳ٠»ë ³Ûë ÝáõÛÝ ï»ÕáõÙ, - And you, my mountain, ê³ï³Ý³¯Ý ·Çï», - will you never س°ñ¹ »Ù ³Ýó³íáñª walk γÝóÝ»¯Ù – Ϸݳ¯Ù… toward me? ÆëÏ É»±éÁ, ØDZû ÇÙ È»°éÝ ¿É åÇïÇ GEVORG EMIN Üá°õÛÝ ï»ÕáõÙ Ùݳ, ÆÝÓ… ãÙáï»Ý³¯... ¶ºìà𶠾ØÆÜ

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 31

¶»Õ³Ù³ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ ·ïÝíáÕ ìÇß³å³ÉÇ×Á Vishapa (Dragon) Lake, in the Geghama Mountains, 3000 ï³ñÇ ³é³ç û·ï³·áñÍí»É ¿ áéá·Ù³Ý is said to have been used for irrigation purposes as far back Ýå³ï³ÏÝ»ñáí. ¶»Õ³ñùáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ as 3000 years. (Gegharkunik Region) ¶áÕà ¨ ²½³ï ·»ï»ñÁ ÙdzÝáõÙ »Ý ¶³éÝáõ ÏÇñ×áõÙ. Îáï³ÛùÇ Ù³ñ½ The meeting point of Goght and Azat Rivers is located at Garni Gorge. Kotayk Region

34 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û γñÙÇñ ϳϳãÝ»ñÁ ͳÍÏáõÙ »Ý гÛÏ³Ï³Ý É»éݳß˳ñÑÁ Red poppies fill the Armenian Highland throughout summer. ³Ùé³Ý ³ÙÇëÝ»ñÇÝ. àõñÍÇ É»éݳßÕó. ²ñ³ñ³ïÇ Ù³ñ½ Urts Mountain Range. Ararat Region 3552 Ù»ïñ μ³ñÓñáõÃÛáõÝ áõÝ»óáÕ Ø»Í Æß˳ݳë³ñÁ Ùßï³å»ë ÓÛáõݳͳÍÏ ¿: Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ At 3552 meters, Mets Ishkhanasar is always snowcapped. μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³Ï, êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ (Karabakh Highland, Syunik Region)

ÌáíÇ Ù³Ï³ñ¹³ÏÇó 3000Ùμ³ñÓñáõÃÛ³Ý íñ³ ·ïÝíáÕ ARAGATS È»ëëÇÝ·Ç ÉÇ×Á ³Û¹å»ë ¿ ³Ýí³Ýí»É μñÇï³Ý³óÇ Located at 3000 meters, near the summit of Mount Aragats, ׳ݳå³ñÑáñ¹Ç ³ÝáõÝáí: Lake Lessing is named after a 19th century British traveler. Ä ÄÑÄö

¶»Õ³ñ¹Ç ÏÇñ×Áμ³Å³ÝáõÙ ¿ Îáï³ÛùÇ Geghard Canyon divides Kotayk and ¨ ²ñ³ñ³ïÇ Ù³ñ½»ñÁ Ararat Regions ²ñ³ É»é.²ñ³·³ÍáïÝÇ Ù³ñ½ Mount Ara. Aragatsotn Region Ñà¢Ä¶ÄGEGHAMA ¶»Õ³Ù³ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý Ó·íáõÙ ¿ ꨳݳ É×Çó ¹»åÇ ºÕ»·Ý³Óáñ` ÙdzóÝ»Éáí ß³ï É×»ñ áõ ˳éݳñ³ÝÝ»ñ: Üñ³ ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ ·³·³ÃÝ»ñÝ »Ý ²Å¹³Ñ³ÏÁ,ä³Ûï³ë³ñÁ, ܳ½»ÉÇÝ áõ The Geghama Mountains stretch from Lake Sevan to Yeghegnadzor, encom- êåÇï³Ï³ë³ñÁ: г½³ñ³ÙÛ³ÏÝ»ñÇ ÑÝáõÃÛáõÝ áõÝ»óáÕ passing many lakes and craters. Their most significant summits are the renowned ųÛé³å³ïÏ»ñÝ»ñ »Ý ѳÛïݳμ»ñí»É É»éÝ»ñÇ ù³ñ³ÝÓ³íÝ»ñáõÙ: Ajhdahak, Paytasar (Horseshoe), Nazeli, and Spitakasar mountains. Millennia-old ²ØºÜ²´²ðÒ𠶲¶²Â. 3597 Ø HIGHEST SUMMIT: 3597 M ÐÇÝ Ù³ñ¹ÇÏ ³Ýٳѳóñ»É »Ý Çñ»Ýó Ï»Ýó³ÕÝ áõ Í»ë»ñÁ` petroglyphs can be found on the boulders of this mountain range, immortalizing ºðβðàôÂÚàôÜ. 80 ÎØ LENGTH: 80 KM å³ïÏ»ñ»Éáí ¹ñ³Ýù ųÛé»ñÇ íñ³: the ancient people who lived on this land, their lifestyles, and their rituals. GEGHAMA ²Ïݳ ÉÇ×,3030Ù μ³ñÓñáõÃÛ³Ý íñ³. ì³Õ ·³ñݳÝÇó Akna lake at 3030m. From early spring to late fall, these alpine ÙÇÝ㨠Ëáñ ³ßáõÝ, ³Ûë ³ÉåÇ³Ï³Ý Ù³ñ·³·»ïÇÝÝ»ñÁ meadows are vital for grazing the sheep of the nearby villages, an Ñà¢Ä¶Ä ³ñáï³í³Ûñ»ñÝ »Ý Ùáï³Ï³ ·ÛáõÕ»ñÇ Ñáï»ñÇ Ñ³Ù³ñ: important regional industry. ¶ºÔ²Ø² Ⱥèܺð, ¶ºÔ²Ø² Ìàì GEGHAMA MOUNTAINS, GEGHAMA SEA -î»ëÝá±õÙ »ë,-³ë³ó ³ÕçÇÏÁª Ó»éùÁ å³ñ½»Éáí Ñ»éáõÝ,- ¹ÇÙ³óÇ É»ñÏ, ù³ñù³ñáï ë³ñÁ å³ïáõÑ³ë ¿ ßÇݳϳÝÇ “You see,” said the girl, her outstretched arm pointing to the distance, ·ÉËÇÝ. ѻջÕÁ ù³ñ áõ ³í³½ ¿ μ»ñáõÙ ë³ñÇó ¨ Í³ÍÏáõÙ “The bare, rocky mountain is the farmers’ curse. Floods bring stones ßÇݳϳÝÇ ³ñÛáõÝ-ùñïÇÝùáí Ùß³Ï³Í ³ñïÁ, ëáíÇ Ù³ïÝáõÙ and sand from the mountain to cover the fields cultivated with their ³ß˳ï³íáñÇÝ: γݳã³óñá°õ ³Û¹ ë³ñÁ, ¨ ÃáÕ Ï³Ý³ã ·áïÇ blood and sweat, condemning these toilers to hunger. Make the ϳåÇ Ù»ñ ½áõÉ³É É׳ÏÝ Çñ Ù»çùÇÝ: ºí ë»ñë ùáÝÁ ÏÉÇÝÇ mountain green! Let our clear lake wear a green belt around its waist, ³éѳí»ï: and my love will be yours forever.”

²é³íáï í³Õ, »ñμ ¹»é ã¿ÇÝ Í˳ó»É ѳÛñ»ÝÇ Í˳ÝÝ»ñÁ, áõ Early in the morning, when the smoke had not yet risen from the É»éݳÛÇÝ É׳ÏÁ ã¿ñ ½³ñÃÝ»É ùÝÇó, ¶»Õ³ÙÁ, ³Ñ³·ÇÝ Í³Ýñ chimneys and the mountain lake had not yet awoken from slumber, ùÃáóÁ Ù»çùÇÝ, Ý»Õ Ï³Í³Ýáí ù³ÛÉ ¿ñ ÷áËáõÙ É»éÝ Ç í»ñ: ¸Çù Gegham walked along the narrow path that led up the mountainside ½³éÇí»ñÁ Ù³·Éó»Éáíª Ý³ ѳëÝáõÙ ¿ñ É»é³Ý ·³·³ÃÁ ¨ with a heavy basket on his back. He climbed the steep slope until he ³Ùå³Íñ³ñ ³Û¹ μ³ñÓáõÝùÇó ßáõé ¿ñ ï³ÉÇë Çñ ùÃáóÁª reached the mountaintop and from that misty peak, he turned the 먳óÝÓñ ïÇÕÙÁ ó÷»Éáí ù³ñáï É»éݳɳÝçÇÝ: basket over, spilling thick black silt all over the rocky slopes.

….²Ýó³í ï³ëÁ ï³ñÇ: ¶»Õ³ÙÁ ùÃáóáí ë»ñÙ ÷á˳¹ñ»ó …Ten years passed. Gegham carried a basketful of seeds up to the É»é³Ý ·³·³ÃÁ ¨ ß³Õ ïí»ó ɳÝçÝ Ç í³Ûñ: mountaintop and scattered the seeds across the slopes.

-ÂáÕ ÙÇßï ¹³É³ñ ÉÇÝÇ Ù»ñ ë»ñÁ, ÇÝãå»ë ³ÛÝ É»éÁ, áñ “May our love always be fresh and green, like the mountain that be- ¹³É³ñ»ó ùá ³ß˳ï³Ýùáí: came green with your labor!”

²Ûë ûñí³ÝÇó ßÇݳϳÝÝ»ñÁ ¹³É³ñ³Í ë³ñÝ ³Ýí³Ý»óÇÝ From this day forward, the farmers would call the green mountain ¶»Õ³Ù³ É»é, ë³ñ»ñÇÙÇçÇ Ù»Ý³íáñ ϳåáõÛï ÉÇ×Áª ¶»Õ³Ù³ Geghama Mountain, and the solitary lake between its peaks, the Íáí: Geghama Sea. Àëï êîºö²Ü ÎàôðîÆÎÚ²ÜÆ TRANSCRIBED BY STEPAN KURTIKYAN

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 47 ¶³ñáõÝÁ ²ñ³ É»é³Ý íñ³. ²ñ³·³ÍáïÝÇ Ù³ñ½ Springtime on Mount Ara. (Aragatsotn Region)

3650Ù μ³ñÓñáõÃÛ³Ý íñ³·ïÝíáÕ Ì³Ïù³ñ ÉÇ×Á ZANGEZUR ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ É»éݳÛÇÝ ÉÇ×Ý ¿, áñÁ ë³é³Í ¿ ï³ñí³ At 3650 meters above sea level, Tsak Kar Lake is the highest lake in Ù»ç 11 ³ÙÇë: Armenia. It is frozen during 11 months of the year. äÄ™Ñàä‡Ù

¸»μ»¹Ç ÏÇñ×. Èáéáõ Ù³ñ½ Debed Gorge. Lori Region

²è²ìàî IT’S MORNING

È»éÝ»ñÝ ³ñ¨Ç á·ÇÝ ßÝã»Éáí, The mountains are shedding the fog they wear Âáó÷áõÙ »Ý Éáõé ÙáõÅÝ Çñ»Ýó ѳ·Ç, and inhaling the sun's very soul. ø³ñ³ÝÓ³íÝ»ñÁ Ù³Ùéáï ¹Ýã»ñáí Their caverns, with mossy chins, gape wide γåáõÛïÝ »Ý ËÙáõÙ ³ñ¨³Í³·Ç: to drink in the blue dawn whole.

²ñóáõÝù ¿ ϳÃáõÙ ù³ñ³÷Ý»ñÝ Ç í³ñ, Water drips like tears over the stones, سñç³Ý ¿ ϳÃáõÙ áõ ϳÃáõÙ ³ñ¨, turning to coral in the light. ÂéãáõÝÝ»ñÝ û¹áõ٠˳éÝí»É Çñ³ñ, The birds trying to sit on the rays of the sun â»Ý ϳñáÕ³ÝáõÙ ßáÕ»ñÇÝ Ã³é»É: finally give up and take flight. ì²Ð²¶Ü ¸²ìÂÚ²Ü VAHAGN DAVTYAN

52 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û ²½³ï ·»ïÇ ³ÏáõÝùÝ»ñÁ. ¶»Õ³Ù³ É»éݳßÕó Sources of Azat River, Geghama Mountains. ÞÇϳÑáÕÇ ³ñ·»Éáó, Êáõëïáõ÷-γï³ñÇ Shikahogh Reserve, Khustup-Katar Mountains. É»éݳßÕó. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ (Syunik Region)

ÎÇñ× È³ëïÇí»ñáõÙ. î³íáõßÇ Ù³ñ½ A canyon at Lastiver. Tavush Region Ø»ÕñÇÇ É»éݳÛÇÝ ë³ñ³í³Ý¹Ý»ñ Mountain plains of Meghri.

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 57 ²ñ»·áõÝÇ É»éݳßÕóݕ ꨳݳ É×Ç ÑÛáõëÇë- Areguni Mountains • The Areguni Mountain Range, on ³ñ¨»ÉÛ³Ý ³÷Ç, ²ñ»·áõÝÇ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý μÝ³Ï³Ý the northeastern shore of Lake Sevan, is the natural border AREGUNI ë³ÑÙ³Ý ¿ ¶»Õ³ñùáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½Ç ËÇëï ¨ between the harsh climate of Gegharkunik Region and î³íáõßÇ Ù³ñ½Ç Ù»ÕÙ ÏÉÇٳݻñÇ ÙÇç¨: Tavush Region’s temperate forests. Ä àчٙî

äÄ™Ñàä‡ÙZANGEZUR ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñÝ ¿ гñ³í³ÛÇÝ ÎáíϳëÇ ï³ñ³Í³ßñç³ÝáõÙ: ²ÛÝï»Õ ¿ ·ïíáõ٠г۳ëï³ÝÇ The Zangezur Mountain Range is the highest (by average height) in the ²ØºÜ²´²ðÒ𠶲¶²Â. 3906 Ø HIGHEST SUMMIT: 3906 M »ñÏñáñ¹ ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ É»éÁ` γåáõïçáõÕÁ: È»éݳßÕÃ³Ý μÝ³Ï³Ý South Caucasus region. It is home to Armenia’s second highest mountain, ºðβðàôÂÚàôÜ. 130 ÎØ RANGE: 130 KM ë³ÑÙ³Ý ¿ ѳݹÇë³Ýáõ٠г۳ëï³ÝÇ ¨ ܳËÇ稳ÝÇ ÙÇç¨: Mount Kaputjugh, whose ridge borders Nakhijevan. äÄ™Ñàä‡ÙZANGEZUR ø³ç³ñ³Ýó ·»ïÇ ÏÇñ×Á Kajarants River Canyon êÚàôÜÚ²ò ê²ðºð SYUNYATS MOUNTAINS

г½³ñ áõ ÙÇ »ñ·áõÙ ·áí³Í ë³ñ »Ù ï»ë»É, I’ve heard a thousand songs of praise ´³Ûó ÙÇßï Ó»ñ ϳñáïÁ ù³ß»É, êÛáõÝÛ³ó ë³ñ»ñ, for longed-for mountains, glasses raised. ²ë»ë Ù»Í í³ñå»ï ܳճßÇ Ó»éùÝ ¿ ѳë»É, But your slopes alone owned the power ̳ÕÇÏÝ»ñ¹ ·áõÛÝ-·áõÛÝ Ý³Ëß»É, êÛáõÝÛ³ó ë³ñ»ñ: to inspire Hovnathan’s* painted flowers. ¶àôê²Ü ²Þàî GUSAN ASHOT

*Naghash Hovnatan famous medieval painter-poet.

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 65 ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕóÛÇ ¶³½³ÝÉ»é ·³·³ÃÁ Mount Gazanler (Beast) in the Zangezur Mountain Range ï³ñí³ Ù»Í Ù³ëÁ ͳÍÏí³Í ¿ Ùßáõßáí: is concealed by mist almost year-round.

Êáõëïáõ÷• ÞÇϳÑáÕÇ ³ñ·»ÉáóáõÙ ¿ ·ïÝíáõÙ Khustup • Shikahogh Reserve is rich with sycamore KHUSTUP ëáëÇÝ»ñÇ Ñ³½í³·Ûáõï åáõñ³ÏÁ, áñÁ Ó·íáõÙ ¿ trees. The groves extend over 10 km along the valley of гݹ ·»ïÇ Ñáíïáí Ùáï 10ÏÙ: êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ the Hand River. (Syunik Region) ò‡ÙÍÓ‡Ùˆ

²ñ³ É»é. ²ñ³·³ÍáïÝÇ Ù³ñ½ Mount Ara (Aragatsotn Region) º½³ÏÇ μÝ³Ï³Ý Ñáõß³ñÓ³Ý Ü³ËÇ稳ÝÇ ë³ÑÙ³ÝÇ Ùáï. A unique natural monument near the Nakhijevan border, ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éÝ»ñ Zangezur Mountains.

ê³ñ»ñÇ ÑáíÇÝ Ù»éݻ٠Mountain winds, for you, I ache. ÐáíÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù, ÑáíÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù, For my love my heart will break. ÆÙ Û³ñÇ μáÛÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù, For seven days now, we’re apart. ´áÛÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù, μáÛÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù: Whoever sees her owns the eyes ØÇ ï³ñÇ ¿ª ã»Ù ï»ë»É, for which I would gladly die. î»ëÝáÕÇ, Û³¯ñ, ³ãùÇÝ Ù»éÝ»Ù: GRIGOR SYUNI ¶ðƶàð êÚàôÜÆ

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 71 ²ñ³·³ÍÇ ãáñë ·³·³ÃÝ»ñÁϳ½ÙáõÙ »Ý Ñëϳ ˳éݳñ³Ý` 400Ù ËáñáõÃÛ³Ùμ: ²Ùé³Ý The vast Aragats crater is 400 meters deep and is ARAGATS ³ÙÇëÝ»ñÇÝ, ѳÉáóùÇó Ñ»ïá ï»ë³Ý»ÉÇ ¿ bound by its four peaks. The mouth of the crater becomes ˳éݳñ³ÝÇ »ñ³ËÁ: visible during the summer thaw. Ä ÄÑÄö

ê³ñÁ ë³ñ»ñÇó ³Ùå ¿ ·áÕ³ÝáõÙ, A mountain who steals àõ »ñμ ѳ·ÝáõÙ ¿ ßñç³½·»ëïÝ ³ÙåÇ, another mountain’s cloud ÌÝÏÝ»ñÁ ͳÍÏ»É ãÇ Ï³ñáÕ³ÝáõÙ£ looks down aghast at her knees. ºí ³Ù³ãáõÙ ¿ ë³ñÁ ë³ñ»ñÇó, The stolen cloud doesn’t keep ºí ѳë³ÏÝ Ç í³ñ ùñïÇÝù ¿ ó÷áõÙ her knees concealed Æñ ßñç³½·»ëïÇ Ëáݳí ͳÉù»ñÇó£ so she perspires, (not pleased). вØà ê²ÐÚ²Ü HAMO SAHYAN

74 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û æñí»Å ȳëïÇí»ñáõÙ. î³íáõßÇ Ù³ñ½ A waterfall. Lastiver. Tavush Region àõËï³ë³ñ ¨ ÌÕáõÏ É»é. Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³Ï Ukhtasar and Tsghuk Mountains, Karabagh Highland.

¶à¢MEGHRI î ijÛé»ñÝ áõ ³Ýï³éÝ»ñÁ Ó¨³íáñáõÙ »Ý Ø»ÕñÇÇ É»éݳɳÝç»ñÇ The Meghri Mountain Chain, whose base skirts the Arax River, has a ²ØºÜ²´²ðÒ𠶲¶²ÂÀ. 3256 Ø HIGHEST SUMMIT: 3256 M ÇÝùݳïÇå μݳå³ïÏ»ñÁ: È»éݳßÕÃ³Ý ³í³ñïíáõÙ ¿ ²ñ³ùë distinctive landscape composed of cliffs and partially-forested slopes. The ºðβðàôÂÚàôÜÀ. 59 ÎØ LENGTH: 59 KM ·»ïÇ Ùáï: area is rich with mineral springs. ¶à¢MEGHRI î Ø»ÕñÇÇ É»éݳÝóù.êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½ Meghri Pass. Syunik Region …ֳݳå³ñÑáñ¹Ý ³é³Ýó μ³ó³ïñáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñÇ ¿É …A traveler will at once know, without any explanation, why Meghri is ѳëϳÝáõÙ ¿, û Ø»ÕñÇÝ ÇÝãáõ ¿ §²ïɳÝïǹ³¦. ³çÇó ¨ known as Atlantis. Ó³ËÇó ½³éÇÏáÕ É»éÝ»ñ »Ý, áñáÝù ÝÙ³Ý »Ý í³ÛñÇ óáõÉÇ »ÕçÛáõñÝ»ñÇ, áñ ¹áõñë »Ý åñÍ»É ³Û·ÇÝ»ñÇ ËÇï óíáõïÇ To its right and left stand slanted mountains that look like a wild bull’s ÙÇçÇó: horns jutting out from the bushy thickets.

…Ø»ÕñÇÝ áõß³óáõÙáí ¿ ¹ÇÙ³íáñáõÙ ³ñ¨ÇÝ, áñÁ ¹áõñë ¿ … Meghri greets the sun late in the morning, as it rises from behind ·³ÉÇë ųÛé»ñÇ áõÕÕ³ÓÇ· å³ñëåÇ Ñ»ï¨Çó ¨ í³Õ ¿ Ññ³Å»ßï the vertical ramparts of the cliffs, and bids it farewell early in the ï³ÉÇë ³ñ¨ÇÝ, áñÁ ׳ßÇó Ñ»ïá ³ÝÙÇç³å»ë ëáõ½íáõÙ ¿ ³Û¹ evening, as it sinks behind the ramparts immediately after dinner. å³ñëåÇ Ñ»ï¨Á: MARIETTA SHAHINYAN زðƺîî² Þ²ÐÆÜÚ²Ü

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 83 ÊáëñáíÇ ³ñ·»Éáó, ²ñ³ñ³ïÇ Ù³ñ½ Khosrov Reserve (Ararat Region)

Þ³ÃÇÝÇ Å³Ûé»ñÁ.ì³Ûáó Òáñ Rocks of Shatin (Vayots Dzor Region) ø²ðÀ THE STONE

γÝóÝ»Ý ûñ»ñ, ï³ñÇù, Days fade into years; ¸³ñÁ ÏÇçÝÇ ¹³ñÇ, years into centuries ºí ³Ûë ù³ñáï ÑáÕáõÙ and in this land of stones ºë Ï÷áËí»Ù ù³ñÇ… I will become another stone.

ÆÝÓ Ï½³ñÏÇ Ï³ÛͳÏÝ, And struck by lightning, ÆÝÓ ³ñ¨Á ϳÛñÇ, burned by the sun and Îß³é³ã»Ý ÏáÕÇë violent storms, I will glow ØññÇÏÝ»ñÁ í³ÛñÇ, from heat, crack with cold. Î׳ù×ù»Ù óñïÇó, ÎßÇϳݳ٠ßá·Çó, And my stone turned heart àõ ÇÙ ù³ñ» ËáñùáõÙ will be silent. But when Èáõé ÏÙݳ Ñá·Çë… the green moss and grass ´³Ûó »ñμ ϳݳã-ϳݳã softens the earth like love’s سÙáõéÝ ÇçÝÇ íñ³ë, dream and velvet memories ÆçÝÇ Çμñ¨ ùÝùß³Ýù, stir my heart there will Æμñ¨ ëÇñá »ñ³½, be tears, (for you) heavy àõ »ñμ Ù³ÕÇ ³ÝÓñ¨Ý as stone, pure as lightning. Æñ óËÇÍÁ óíÇß, ºë ÇÙ ù³ñ» ËáñùáõÙ VAHAGN DAVTYAN Îѻϻϳ٠ó³íÇó…

ºí ÏÉÇÝ»Ý, ·Çï»Ù, ²ñóáõÝùÝ»ñÝ Ç٠óùáõÝ ø³ñÇ ÝÙ³Ý Í³Ýñ àõ ϳÛͳÏÇ å»ë Ù³ùáõñ… ì²Ð²¶Ü ¸²ìÂÚ²Ü

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 87 MIAPORI ¶áõݳ·»Õ ë³Õ³ñÃä³ñ½ É×Ç Ùáï` ¸ÇÉÇç³ÝÇ ³½·³ÛÇÝ Colorful foliage at Parz (Clear) Lake in Dilijan National Park, with å³ñÏáõÙ: лïÇÝ åɳÝáõÙ Ødz÷áñÇ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý ¿: Miapori Mountains in the background. ¶îĈ‡ î

¶³ñáõÝÁ ¶áÕà ·»ïÇ ÏÇñ×áõÙ. Îáï³ÛùÇ Ù³ñ½ Springtime in the Goght River Canyon. (Kotayk Region)

ÌÇÍ»éݳϳë³ñ. Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³Ï Tsitsernakasar, Karabakh Highland

92 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û ì³ÛùÇ É»éݳßÕó Vayk Mountain Range г۳ëï³ÝÇ »ñÏñáñ¹³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ` Western peak of Aragats, second highest ²ñ³·³ÍÇ ²ñ¨ÙïÛ³Ý ·³·³Ã peak in Armenia. ²Ù³éÁ²ñ³·³ÍáõÙ Mount Aragats in summer. ZANGEZUR

ê³ñ»ñêå³Ý¹³ñÛ³ÝÇ çñ³Ùμ³ñÇ Ùáï. ¼³Ý·»½áõñ Mountains near Spandaryan Reservoir in Zangezur äÄ™Ñàä‡Ù

²ñ³·³ÍÇ Ð³ñ³í³ÛÇÝ ·³·³Ã, çñí»ÅÝ»ñ, Southern peak of Aragats: waterfalls and the ˳éݳñ³ÝÇ ëÏǽμ edge of the crater.

KHUSTUP-KATARI

Êáõëïáõ÷Á É»éݳ·Ý³óÝ»ñÇëÇñ³Í í³ÛñÝ ¿: Mount Khustup is a favorite destination among alpinists. ò‡ÙÍÓ‡Ùˆ-úÄÓÄ î

гñáõëï μáõë³Ï³Ý ¨ ϻݹ³Ý³Ï³Ý ³ß˳ñÑáíª ÞÇϳÑáÕÇ ³ñ·»ÉáóÁ ³ñ¨Ùï³³ëÇ³Ï³Ý Ñáí³½Ç Shikahogh Reserve is rich with flora and fauna. It is one ³ñ»³ÉÝ»ñÇó ¿: of the few natural habitats of the West Asian leopard.

GEGHAMA ¶»Õ³Ù³ É»éݳßÕóÛÇï»ë³ñ³Ý ²Å¹³Ñ³Ï É»é³Ý Geghama Mountain Range as seen from the summit of Mount ·³·³ÃÇó. лéíáõÙ` ˳éݳñ³ÝÝ»ñ Ajhdahak. In the distance, Geghama’s multiple craters. Ñà¢Ä¶Ä

²ñ³ É»é, ´éáõÝóù ųÛé Bruntsk Jhayr (Fist-shaped rock) on Mount Ara. ø³ñ» ÑáíÇí, ²ñ³ É»é Stone Shepherd, Mount Ara.

…ÜáñÇóª É»éÝ»ñ: ²ë»ë ѳïÇãáí ï³ß³Í …Again, mountains. As if they have been carved ÉÇÝ»Ý: out with tools.

ºñÏÇÝùÁ ϳåáõÛï ¿, ÇÝãå»ë ³Ù»Ýáõñ, ¨ ÙÇ The sky is blue, like anywhere else, and a bit ï»ë³Ï ³Ýëáíáñ, ë³éݳíáõÝ-ó÷³ÝóÇÏ unusual. It’s a cool, transparent mountain sky – É»éÝ»ñÇ »ñÏÇÝù ¿, áã û ï³÷³ëï³ÝÇ, áã û not a prairie sky, or a sea sky, but a mountain sky… ÍáíÇ, ³Ûɪ É»éÝ»ñÇ… LEV KRIVENKO Ⱥì ÎðÆìºÜÎà

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 107 ¶³½³Ý³ÉÇ× ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕóÛáõÙ` Gazana (Beast) Lake, in the Zangezur Mountains is 3200Ù μ³ñÓñáõÃÛ³Ý íñ³ located at 3300 meters above sea level.

ì³ÛùÇ É»éݳßÕó• ÜÙ³Ý μݳå³ïÏ»ñÝ»ñÁ Ëáñ³å»ë VAYK á·»ßÝãáõÙ ¿ÇÝ Ø³ñïÇñáë ê³ñÛ³ÝÇÝ Ñ³ÛÏ³Ï³Ý Vayk Mountains • Martiros Saryan was surely inspired by such μݳå³ïÏ»ñÝ»ñ ³Ý»ÉÇë. scenes when painting Armenian landscapes. ÏÄ®¯

ØáõñÕáõ½ É»é, î³íáõßÇ Ù³ñ½Ç ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ ·³·³ÃÁ` 2993Ù Mount Murghuz, the highest peak of Tavush Region, stands at 2993 meters.

112 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û àÕçÇ ·»ïÇ ÑáíÇï, ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕó Voghji River Valley, Zangezur Mountains. سÛñ³Ùáõï гÛÏ³Ï³Ý å³ñáõÙ Twilight on the Armenian Dance Mountains

²ÉáõÝ É»éÁ ¼³Ý·»½áõñÇ É»éݳßÕóÛáõÙ. Mount Alun, in the Zangezur Mountain Range, μ³ñÓñáõÃÛáõÝÁ` 3701Ù stands at 3701 meters. Cattle on the Bargushat Mountains. (Syunik Region) ܳËÇñÁ ´³ñ·áõß³ïÇ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½

ÎáíϳëÛ³Ý Ñáíí³ßáõÝ | Caucasian Shepherd Dog

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 117 ¢ÄKARABAKH ÄÇÄ¢ Ô³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³ÏÁ ÉÇ ¿ Ññ³μ˳ÛÇÝ Ë³éݳñ³ÝÝ»ñáí, ²ØºÜ²´²ðÒ𠶲¶²ÂÀ. 3552 Ø HIGHEST SUMMIT: 3552 M áñï»Õ Ñݳ·áõÛÝ Å³Ù³Ý³ÏÝ»ñÇó å³Ñå³ÝíáõÙ »Ý The Karabakh Highland is full of volcanic craters that store ̲¶àôØÀ. Ðð²´Ê²ÚÆÜ ORIGIN: VOLCANIC ųÛé³å³ïÏ»ñÝ»ñ: millennia-old rock carvings. KARABAKH Ø»Í Æß˳ݳë³ñÁÔ³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³ÏÇ ³Ù»Ý³μ³ñÓñ Mets Ishkhanasar (Great Prince Mountain) is the highest peak of the ·³·³ÃÝ ¿: ²Ûëï»Õ ¿ ·ïÝíáõ٠ϳñÍñ³ó³Í ɳí³ÛÇó §ù³ñ» ÍáíÁ¦ª Karabakh Highland. The petrified lava of the “stone sea,” Karkar, is 10 km long ¢Ä ÄÇÄ¢ 10ÏÙ »ñϳñáõÃÛ³Ùμ ¨ 3Ï٠ɳÛÝáõÃÛ³Ùμ γñϳéÁ: and 3 km wide. Ðá¯í ³ñ»ù, ë³ñ»°ñ ç³Ý, Ñá¯í ³ñ»ù, Let it be cool again. Let the wind stir, ÆÙ ¹³ñ¹ÇÝ ¹³ñÙ³¯Ý ³ñ»ù£ - mountains that I love, let there be air. ê³ñ»ñÁ Ñáí ã»¯Ý ³ÝáõÙ, ÆÙ ¹³ñ¹ÇÝ ¹³ñÙ³Ý ³ÝáõÙ£ Let the wind come and take away care. Let the breeze blow, let there be cool air. ²Ùå»°ñ, ³Ùå»°ñ, ÙÇ ùÇã ½á¯í ³ñ»ù, ì³ñ³ñ ³ÝÓñ¨¯ ó÷»ù, Íá¯í ³ñ»ù, Take away this pain. Take away this care. ¶»ß Ù³ñ¹áõ ûñ-³ñ¨Á ê¨ ÑáÕÇ ï³Ïáí ³ñ»ù: Let it rain and cleanse the oppressive air.

Ðá¯í ³ñ»ù, ³Ùå»°ñ ç³Ý, Ñá¯í ³ñ»ù, Let the winds blow away the evil men. ÆÙ ¹³ñ¹ÇÝ ¹³ñÙ³¯Ý ³ñ»ù£ - Let cool, clean springs flow ²Ùå»ñÁ Ñáí ã»¯Ý ³ÝáõÙ, from the mountain again. ÆÙ ¹³ñ¹ÇÝ ¹³ñÙ³Ý ³ÝáõÙ£ KOMITAS VARDAPET ê³ñ»°ñ, Óáñ»°ñ, ¹³ßï»°ñ áõ çÁñ»°ñ, سñٳݹ-Ù³ñٳݹ í³½á¯Õ ³ÕμÛáõñÝ»°ñ, ØÇ í»°ñ ϳó»ù, ÇÙ³ó»°ù, î»ë»¯ù ÇÙ ëÁñïÇ ó³í»ñ£ ÎàØÆî²ê ì²ð¸²äºî

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 123 ¼³Ý·»½áõñÁѳñáõëï ¿ ³ÛÝåÇëÇ Ñ³Ý³ÍáÝ»ñáí, ÇÝãåÇëÇù »Ý ÙáÉÇμ¹»ÝÁ, μñáݽÁ ¨ áëÏÇÝ: Ü»ñϳÛáõÙë ³ÛÝ ZANGEZUR г۳ëï³ÝÇ ³Ù»Ý³Ù»Í ѳÝù³ñ¹Ûáõݳμ»ñ³Ï³Ý Zangezur is rich with minerals such as molybdenum, bronze and Ï»ÝïñáÝÝ ¿ ѳݹÇë³ÝáõÙ: gold. Most of Armenia’s mining activity occurs in this region. äÄ™Ñàä‡Ù

êå³Ý¹³ñÛ³Ý çñ³Ùμ³ñ. êÛáõÝÇùÇ Ù³ñ½. лéíáõÙ Spandaryan Reservoir with Bargushat Mountain Range ´³ñ·áõß³ïÇ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý ¿ in the background. (Syunik Region)

Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÛ³Ý ë³Õ³ñóËÇï ³Ýï³éÝ»ñ Lush forests of Karabakh. ²ñ÷³ ·»ïÁ ì³Ûáó ÒáñáõÙ, áñÇ çñ»ñÇ ÙÇ Ù³ëÁ ëÝáõÙ ¿ ꨳݳ ÉÇ×Á The Arpa River, which originates in Vayots Dzor Region, flows into Lake Sevan.

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 129 ²ñ&³Í³·Á ²ñ³·³ÍÇ íñ³ Sunrise at Aragats.

GEGHAMA ²ßáõÝÁ¶»Õ³Ù³ É»éÝ»ñáõÙ. ÑáíÇíÝ»ñÁ ³ñ¹»Ý Autumn in the Geghama Mountains is quiet, as grazing Çç»É »Ý ë³ñ»ñÇó season is over. Ñà¢Ä¶Ä

´³½³ÉïÇ ëÛáõÝ»ñ ¶³éÝáõ ÏÇñ×áõÙ. Basalt columns in the Garni Gorge. Îáï³ÛùÇ Ù³ñ½ (Kotayk Region) ´³½³Éï» ³ñ&. ²Ùμ»ñ¹ ·»ïÇ ÏÇñ×, ´Ûáõñ³Ï³ÝÇ Ùáï Basalt Sun in the Ambert River Canyon, near Byurakan at Aragats.

سñïÇñáëÇ ÉÇ×. ì³ÛùÇ É»éݳßÕó Lake Martiros, Vayk Mountain Range.

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 135 ²ñ³ É»é³Ý ·³·³ÃÁ (2576Ù) ·³ñݳÝÁ. Peak of Mount Ara (2576m) in springtime, with Ñ»éíáõÙ ²ñ³·³ÍÝ ¿ Aragats in the distance.

ÄMOUNT ARA Ä ñàË ²ñ³ÛÇ (²ñ³) É»é³Ý ï»ë³ñ³Ý ²å³ñ³ÝÇ ¹³ßï³í³ÛñÇó. È»éÁ ²ØºÜ²´²ðÒ𠶲¶²ÂÀ. 2576 Ø HIGHEST SUMMIT: 2576 M ѳٳñíáõÙ ¿ ëñμ³í³Ûñ, áñï»Õ ëμ. ì³ñí³ñ³ÛÇ »Ï»Õ»óÇ áõËïÇ Mount Ara viewed from the Aparan Valley. The mountain is a pilgrimage site, ̲¶àôØÀ. Ðð²´Ê²ÚÆÜ ORIGIN: VOLCANIC »Ý ·³ÉÇë г۳ëï³ÝÇ μáÉáñ Ù³ñ½»ñÇóª: where Armenians from across the country come to worship at St. Barbara Church. ARA ²ñ³ É»é• âÝ³Û³Í ³ÛÝ ßñç³å³ïí³Í ¿ ·ÛáõÕ³Ï³Ý μݳϳí³Ûñ- »ñáí, ²ñ³ÛÇ É»éÁ ¹»é¨ë ³å³ëï³ÝáõÙ ¿ ³ÛÝåÇëÇ í³ÛñÇ Ï»Ý¹³ÝÇ-Ara • Although it is surrounded by many villages, Mount Ara is home to a wide ÄÄ Ý»ñ, ÇÝãåÇëÇù »Ý ³ñç»ñÁ, ·³ÛÉ»ñÁ, ³Õí»ëÝ»ñÁ ¨ ³ÛÍÛ³ÙÝ»ñÁ: variety of animal species such as bears, wolves, foxes and roe deer. ²ð² ¶ºÔºòÆÎ ºì Þ²ØÆð²Ø ARA THE HANDSOME AND SEMIRAMIS ²ëáñ»ëï³ÝÇ Ã³·áõÑÇ Þ³ÙÇñ³ÙÁ ½áñù ¿ ѳí³ùáõÙ ¨ ßï³åáõ٠г۳ëï³Ý Ýí³×»Éáõ ѳÛáó ó·³íáñ ³ÝÝÙ³Ý The Armenian king, Ara the Handsome, was of unmatched beauty, and ·»Õ»óÏáõÃÛ³Ý ï»ñ ²ñ³ÛÇÝ, ³ÛÝ μ³ÝÇó Ñ»ïá, »ñμ ²ñ³Ý so Semiramis, the queen of Assyria, had an insatiable desire to meet Ù»ñÅáõÙ ¿ Þ³ÙÇñ³ÙÇ ³Ýѳ· ó³ÝÏáõÃÛáõÝÁ Çñ»Ý ï»ë³Ïó»Éáõ: him. When Ara refused her advances, Semiramis gathered her troops ²ñ³ÛÇ ¹³ßïáõÙ Ù³ñïÇ Å³Ù³Ý³Ï Ñ³Ûáó ³ñù³Ý ½³ñÏíáõÙ ¿ and rushed to Armenia to conquer him. During the battle on the Field ³ëáñÇÝ»ñÇó: of Ara, the Armenian king was killed by the Assyrians.

ºñμ ·ñ·éí³Í ѳÛáó ½áñùÁ å³ïñ³ëïíáõÙ ¿ ÝáñÇó Ù³ñïÝã»É When the enraged Armenian troops were preparing for combat to ²ñ³ÛÇ Ù³Ñí³Ý íñ»ÅÝ ³éÝ»Éáõ ѳٳñ, Þ³ÙÇñ³ÙÁ ¹ÇÙáõÙ ¿ avenge Ara’s death, Semiramis approached them, telling them that Ýñ³Ýó, ³ë»Éáí, áñ Ññ³Ù³Û»É ¿ Çñ ³ëïí³ÍÝ»ñÇÝ í»ñù»ñÁ she had ordered her gods to lick Ara’s wounds and revive him. Éǽ»Éáí ϻݹ³Ý³óÝ»É ²ñ³ÛÇÝ: “The Aralez gods have granted our wish: by licking his bleeding §²ñ³É»½Ý»ñÁ ²ñ³ÛÇÝ Éǽ»Éáí í»ñ³Ï»Ý¹³Ý³óñÇÝ ¨ Ù»ñ wounds, they have brought him back to life…” ÷³÷³·Ý áõ ó³ÝÏáõÃÛáõÝÁ ϳï³ñ»óÇÝ…¦ And so, by spreading the news of Ara’s resurrection across Armenia, ²ÛëåÇëáí, ²ñ³ÛÇ Ñ³ñáõÃÛ³Ý ÉáõñÁ ï³ñ³Í»Éáí гÛáó Semiramis was able to calm the people’s resentment. ³ß˳ñÑáõÙ ¨ μáÉáñÇÝ Ñ³Ùá½»Éáíª Þ³ÙÇñ³ÙÁ ˳ճջóÝáõÙ ¿ ÅáÕáíñ¹Ç Ñáõ½ÙáõÝùÁ: TRANSCRIBED BY SARGIS HARUTYUNYAN Àëï ê²ð¶Æê вðàôÂÚàôÜÚ²ÜÆ

ARMENIAN MOUNTAINS | ARMENIAN IMPRESSIONS 143 Ø»ÕñÇÇ É»éݳßÕÃ³Ý ÑáõÉÇëÇÝ Meghri Mountains in July.

144 ûÄ®àÚî ĉ ‡Ù¶™à | ûÄ®úÄúÄ™ ñà˙ĨòÄ û àõËï³ë³ñ, Ô³ñ³μ³ÕÇ μ³ñÓñ³í³Ý¹³Ï, ÑáõÉÇë Ukhtasar, Karabakh Highland, in July. ARAGATS ²Ñ³ û áñï»ÕÇó¿ ²í»ïÇù Æë³Ñ³ÏÛ³ÝÁ ¹Çï»ÉÇë »Õ»É When poet Avetik Isahakyan compared Aragats to a shining dia- ²ñ³·³ÍÁ, »ñμ ѳٻٳï»É ¿ ³ÛÝ ÷³ÛÉáõÝ ³¹³Ù³Ý¹Ç Ñ»ï: mond, this was probably his vantage point. Ä ÄÑÄö

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àñ¹Çë, ù»½ ÇÝã Ïï³Ï»Ù, ÇÝã Ïï³Ï»Ù, ÇÙ μ³ÉÇÏ, àñ ÇÝÓ ÑÇß»ë íßïÇ Ù»ç, û ËÇÝ¹Ç Ù»ç ùá ·³ÉÇù. ¶³ÝÓ»ñ ãáõÝ»Ù, μ³Ûó ·³ÝÓÝ ÇÝã, ·³ÝÓÁ ÉáõÛëÝ ¿ñ ³ãù»ñÇë, ¸áõ »ë ÙÇ³Ï ÇÙ ·³ÝÓÁ, ¹áõ »ë ·³ÝÓÁ ·³ÝÓ»ñÇë: ø»½ ³ÛÝåÇëÇ ·³ÝÓ Ïáõ½»Ù »ë Ïï³Ï»É ѳÛñ³μ³ñ, àñ ãÇ Ï³ñáÕ Ïï³Ï»É áõñÇß »ñÏñáõÙ áã ÙÇ Ñ³Ûñ,- ºë ù»½ ³ÛÝ »Ù Ïï³ÏáõÙ, áñÇÝ ³Ûë Ù»Í Ù»ñ ¹³ñáõÙ öáùñÇÏ Ù³ñ¹ÇÏ »Ý μ³Ýï»É ßÕÃ³Û»É ³Ùå»ñáõÙ. ø»½ Ù»ñ ë³ñÝ »Ù Ïï³ÏáõÙ, áñ ¹áõñë μ»ñ»ë ë¨ ³ÙåÇó, àñ ïáõÝ μ»ñ»ë ß³É³Ï³Í ³ñ¹³ñáõÃÛ³Ùμ Ù»ñ ³ÝμÇÍ, àõ Ïμ»ñ»ë, ÇÙ μ³ÉÇÏ, ûÏáõ½ ùá Ë»Õ× Ã³ÃÇÏáí Ø»ñ ë³ñÝ ³Ûë ÏáÕÙ ßáõé Ïï³ë ³ñ¹³ñáõÃ۳ݹ áõÅÝ ¿ Íáí, àõ »ñμ μ»ñ»ë, ÇÙ μ³ÉÇÏ, ëÇñïë ¿É ßÇñÇÙÇó Ïѳݻë, Îμ³ñÓñ³Ý³ë áõ ëÇñïë ³½³ïÝ Ç í»ñ Ïï³Ý»ë àõ Ïóջë ÇÙ ëÇñïÁ ÓÛáõÝ»ñÇ ï³Ï سëÇëÇ, àñ ßÇñÙáõÙ ¿É ¹³ñ³íáñ Ñáõñ ϳñáïÇó ãÙñëÇ:

ø»½ سëÇëÝ »Ù Ïï³ÏáõÙ, áñ ¹áõ å³Ñ»ë ѳíÇïÛ³Ý, àñå»ë É»½áõÝ Ù»ñ ѳÛáó, áñå»ë ëÛáõÝÁ ùá Ñáñ ï³Ý: ÐàìвÜܺê ÞÆð²¼ LEGACY

My son, dear son, what shall I leave for you to remember me by, when you grieve? I have no wealth, my dearest, you are my treasure, and the light of my eye. How can I measure from this century the right gift that is your due, something uniquely Armenian to leave to you?

There is something, already yours, that I will… something other men have imprisoned still. But I will you our mountain, and justice denied, our mountain that belongs to freedom’s side. It’s yours, take it. Someday, rebury my heart. Know its burning will cool in the Ararat snow.

I leave you the right to our mountain, its deed, the support and pillars of our home, like our sweet language, yours to keep. HOVHANNESS SHIRAZ ¶ñùÇ íñ³ ³ß˳ï»É »Ý Bibliography/¶ñ³Ï³ÝáõÃÛ³Ý ó³ÝÏ Ìñ³·ñÇ Õ»Ï³í³ñ` ð³ýýÇ ÜǽÇμÉÛ³Ý Ð³Û³ëï³Ý, ´³Õ¹³ë³ñÛ³Ý, ². §Ð³Û³ëï³Ý¦ Ìñ³·ñÇ Ñ³Ù³Ï³ñ·áÕ ¨ ËÙμ³·Çñ` êáýÛ³ ´ÉμáõÉÛ³Ý Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, ºñ¨³Ý 1969 ³ñ·Ù³ÝÇã ¨ ѳۻñ»Ý μ³ÅÝÇ ËÙμ³·Çñ` ܳÇñ³ äáÕáëÛ³Ý Armenia, Baghdasaryan, A. Hayastan Publishing, Yerevan 1969 ´³Ý³ëï»ÕÍáõÃÛáõÝÝ»ñÇ Ã³ñ·Ù³ÝÇã` ¸Ç³Ý³ î»ñ-ÐáíѳÝÝÇëÛ³Ý ²Ý·É»ñ»Ý μ³ÅÝÇ ËÙμ³·Çñ` ܳÇñÇ ²μñ³Ñ³ÙÛ³Ý ä³ïÙí³ÍùÝ»ñ, ´³ÏáõÝó, ². §ÈáõÛë¦ ¸Ç½³ÛÝ ¨ ¿ç³¹ñáõÙ` ²ñëÇÝ¿ ʳãÇÏ»³Ý Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, 1975 Short Stories, Bakunts, A. Luys Publishing, 1975 Èáõë³ÝϳñÝ»ñª ìɳ¹ÇÙÇñ ê³ñáÛ³Ý ²ñëÇÝ¿ ʳãÇÏ»³Ý, ¿ç` 28, 34, 56, 75, 96, 114, 131 Ð³Û ÑÇÝ íÇå³ß˳ñÑÁ, гñáõÃÛáõÝÛ³Ý, ê., Ðñ³ã ÐáíѳÝÝÇëÛ³Ý, ¿ç` 35, 46, 52, 71, 81, 93, 100, 137, ݳ˳μ³Ý ºñ¨³Ý-²ðºìÆÎ, 1987 γñ»Ý ØÇñ½áÛ³Ý, ¿ç` 5 Armenian Ancient Mythology, Harutyunyan, S. Yerevan-Arevik, 1987 ÊáñÑñ¹³ïáõÝ»ñ` Úáà ·³ñáõÝÝ»ñÇ »ñÏñáõÙ, ²í³·Û³Ý, è. ìɳ¹ÇÙÇñ ê³ñáÛ³Ý §êáí»ï³Ï³Ý ·ñáÕ¦ Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, 1978 ä»ïñáë ¸³íÃÛ³Ý, ºñ¨³ÝÇ å»ï³Ï³Ý ѳٳÉë³ñ³Ý In the Land of the Seven Springs, Avagyan, R. Sovetakan Grogh îå³·ñí³Í ¿ §ÈÇÙáõߦ ïå³·ñ³ï³ÝÁ Publishing, 1978

²ß˳ï³Ïó»É ¿ª ֳݳå³ñÑáñ¹áõÃÛáõÝ êáí»ï³Ï³Ý г۳ëï³ÝáõÙ, ¶³Û³Ý» Ô³ñ³·Ûá½Û³ÝÁ Þ³ÑÇÝÛ³Ý, Ø. гÛå»ïÑñ³ï-ºñ¨³Ý 1952 Traveling in Soviet Armenia. Shahinyan, Book Contributors M. Haypethrat-Yerevan, 1952

Production Manager Raffi Niziblian Ð³Û »ñ·³ÝÇ, Ø.æ³í³Ëù.- §ÈáõÛë¦ Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, Production Coordinator and Editor Sophia Blbulyan ºñ¨³Ý 1985 Translator and Editor (Armenian) Naira Poghosyan Armenian Songbook, M. Javakhk, Luys Publishing, Poetry Translation Diana Der-Hovanessian Yerevan1985 Editor (English) Nyree Abrahamian Design and Layout Arsineh Khachikian ºñÏ»ñÇ ÅáÕáí³Íáõ, ê³ÑÛ³Ý, Ð. §êáí»ï³Ï³Ý ·ñáÕ¦ Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, ºñ¨³Ý 1984 Photography Arsineh Khachikian – pp. 28, 34, 56, 75, 96, 114, 131 Collected Works, Sahyan, H. Sovetakan Grogh Publishing House, Yerevan 1984 Hrach Hovhannisyan - pp. 35, 46, 52, 71, 81, 93, 100, 137, preface Karen Mirzoyan - pp. 5 γåáõÛï ¶Çñù, ¸³íÃÛ³Ý ì. §êáí»ï³Ï³Ý ·ñáÕ¦ All others by Vladimir Saroyan Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏãáõÃÛáõÝ, ºñ¨³Ý 1978 The Blue Book, Davtyan V. Sovetakan Grogh Publishing House, Cover photo by Vladimir Saroyan Yerevan 1978

Consultants References Vladimir Saroyan www.armeniapedia.org Petros Davtyan, Yerevan State University Printing Limush Publishing

Contributor Gayane Gharagyozyan