The author presents the studies, articles, programs and other materials published in the Russian publications of the second half of the XIX century, which are related to the ethnography of Artsakh or its separate settlements. Of particular importance are the materials, published in the journals «Кавказский календарь», «Сборник материалов для описания местностей и племен Кавказа», «Мате риалы для изучения экономического быта государственных крестьян Закав казского края», «Всемирный путешественник», «Записки Кавказского отдела императорского русского географического общества», «Известия Кавказ ского отдела Императорского Русского географического общества», which contain valuable information about the population and ethnic composition of various regions and villages of Artsakh, including the city of Shushi, as well as agriculture, cattle breeding, silk weaving, winemaking, trade, various crafts, traditional medicine, sanctuaries, antiquities, churches, monastries, mountains, rivers, flora and fauna, geographic location, climate, national costume, national holidays, family life, public trials and proceedings, structure of houses, quarters, religions, matrimonial and wedding ceremonies, customs, religious beliefs and prejudices, ration, folk games and other phenomena. Published materials on the folklore and dialect of Artsakh are also presented in separate subsections. Published materials on the folklore and dialect of Artsakh are also presented in separate subsections.
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A SYNTHESIS OF THE HISTORY OF SYUNIK’S STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVALAshot Simonyan. Commemorative Book of Syunik’s Struggle for Existence 1917-1921
The events of Syunik’s armed self-defense and political struggle between 1917 and 1921 occupy a pivotal place in the modern history of Armenia. Nevertheless, their historiographical representation has long remained partial, disproportionate, and source-wise limited. This period has often been interpreted within generalized political frameworks, overlooking local specificities, regional actors, as well as the internal continuity of armed resistance and state-building efforts [Harutyunyan 1984, 318, 325-330, Khudaverdyan 1988, 64-71, 115-124, 146-157, Grigoryan 1989, 73-88, Abrahamyan 2003, 209-252, Simonyan 2004, 19–32].
In this context, Ashot Simonyan’s Memoir-Chronicle of Syunik’s Struggle for Survival, 1917–1921 emerges as a significant contribution, both in terms of source studies and historiographical advancement.
The work under review is not a monograph in the classical sense. Rather, it constitutes an extensive documentary-historical compendium that integrates both published and unpublished materials. The genre designation “memorial chronicle” is justified, insofar as the author refrains from theoretical generalizations and prioritizes the sequential and chronologically accurate presentation of factual material. The main body of the volume consists of forty-eight chapters, structured into seven thematic sections, followed by appendices comprising twelve additional chapters that significantly broaden the source base of the study.
The principal merit of the work lies in its extensive and meticulously assembled corpus of sources. The author makes use of materials from the National Archives of Armenia, including investigative files of the repressed, as well as Armenian archival collections in Beirut and Boston. The source base is further reinforced through the incorporation of rare judicial documents, most notably the records of two trials held in Tabriz: the first concerning the fall of Mountainous Armenia, and the second relating to the failure of the self-defense of Artsakh in March–April 1920.
Of particular importance is the systematic incorporation of extensive documentary materials from the Armenian National Archive, specifically from Fund No. 1191 associated with the repressive structures of the VChK–GPU NKVD system, complemented by related records from the State Archive of Armenia. Despite their inherent ideological and political bias, these documents contain valuable biographical data, eyewitness testimonies, and official assessments concerning participants in the Syunik struggle for survival. Their consistent use substantially enhances the empirical foundations of the study and contributes to a more comprehensive reconstruction of the historical context. The cautious use of these sources, for understandable reasons, makes it possible to reveal not only the internal logic of the political struggle in Mountainous Armenia (Lernahayastan), but also the mechanisms of the early Soviet repressive practices.
Noteworthy informational value is carried by the memoirs of local participants and eyewitnesses, unpublished personal recollections, and periodical press materials from regional centers (Yerevan, Baku, Shushi, Goris) as well as from the Armenian diaspora. These sources collectively enable the reconstruction of the individual trajectories of Syunik’s military, political, and civic figures, including members of the clergy and the civilian population. The extensive system of footnotes—incorporating biographical references and parallel testimonies—further imparts a reference-like dimension to the work and substantially enhances its scholarly merit.
From a historiographical perspective, the work constitutes a significant contribution to the reinterpretation of the events in Syunik between 1917 and 1921. It demonstrates that the armed resistance of 1920–1921 was neither spontaneous nor accidental, but rather a logical continuation of earlier processes of self organization and self-defense, triggered by successive Turkish, Azerbaijani, and later Soviet aggression. The struggle of Mountainous Armenia and the political and military activities of Garegin Nzhdeh are presented according to principles of historicity, framed within narratives consistent with state-building logic, thereby avoiding the emotional embellishments often observed in the works of certain Armenian authors [Ruben 1982, Gevorgyan 1991, 25-48, 85-86, 123-125, Abrahamyan 1991, 3–14, Garegin Nzhdeh, Free Syunik, Beirut, 1999].
The documents and biographical dossiers included in the appendices substantially expand the source base, which in previous studies of the period had been relatively limited. Although the book exhibits some uneven coverage of events in specific districts (Meghri, Sisian), it emphasizes the overall breadth of the material and highlights avenues for further scholarly research. The work also reveals certain technical inconsistencies in the formation of its scholarly apparatus—particularly regarding references, bibliographic entries, and formatting uniformity—which in some cases do not fully align with current academic standards. Nevertheless, these shortcomings do not diminish the overall value of the study. On the contrary, they underscore the potential for further refinement of the manuscript and its more effective engagement in academic discourse, especially given the exceptional scope of the factual database and the distinctive nature of the primary sources employed. Through its comprehensive presentation of factual material and its reconstruction of regional events, the work can serve as a foundational basis for subsequent scholarly research, thematic expansions, and more in-depth analyses incorporating newly accessible archival materials.
Particular significance is attached to the interpretation of Soviet repressions as a continuation of the struggle by other means. The mass persecutions targeting the military-political elite of Syunik, members of the Armenian Parliament, local self-government bodies, and the clergy are presented not as random or chaotic occurrences, but as deliberate political actions aimed at undermining and dismantling the institutional foundations of Armenian statehood established in Syunik.
Overall, Ashot Simonyan’s Memoirs of the 1917–1921 Struggle in Syunik represents a significant contribution to Armenian historiography. By combining archival documents, memoirs, press materials, and judicial sources, the work fills longstanding gaps in the study of Syunik’s history while simultaneously serving as an important step toward the restoration and preservation of historical memory—a task that remains highly relevant for our society today.
ISSUES RELATING TO THE CALIPHATE IN THE WORKS OF IBN TAYMIYYAH
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the institution of the “caliph” – the “successor” of the prophet – was formed, the purpose of which was to ensure that the Muslim community correctly carried out the word of Allah and did not deviate from the right path. The collapse of the caliphate as a result of the Mongol invasion in 1258 shook the Islamic world and forced the ummah to face new challenges. Among these challenges was the consolidation and political organization of Islamic society in order to withstand external attacks, which raised the question of whether the restoration of the caliphate was mandatory and whether the mulk was permissible, since the restoration of the caliphate was practically impossible under the existing historical and political circumstances, and the only force more or less capable of restoring the unity of the ummah and confronting its enemies was the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. In this regard, the thoughts and views expressed by a prominent representative of the Hanbali school Ibn Taymiyyah on the institution of the caliphate are extremely interesting, and they are still relevant today, due to the activation of the Islamic factor in Muslim social developments and the widespread dissemination of ideas about the creation of a caliphate guided by sharia law by Islamic extremist groups. In order to understand Ibn Taymiyyah’s views on the discussed issues and to shed light on existing opinions on them, we have examined the Islamic jurist’s approaches to the terms “caliph” and “caliphate.”
In this article, we have examined the works of Ibn Taymiyyah, while simultaneously reflecting on the sometimes contradictory interpretations made by some researchers.
LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES AND PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATION IN “BLACK SWAN” TRIAL: a case study
The current article studies judicial discourse, specifically lawyers’ closing arguments regarding “Black Swan” (2024) murder trial which concerns a woman, Ashley Benefield, an ex-ballerina, who killed her husband, Douglas Benefield claiming the action to be self-defense. The discourse study at hand includes the prosecutor’s closing argument of Suzanne O’Donnell who represents the State and condemns the action of killing as murder which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense is represented by defense lawyer Neil Taylor, who tries to defend his client’s action as self-defense. This legal discourse is studied through qualitative analysis, implemented using the method of rhetorical-stylistic discourse analysis, and supplemented with the author’s quantitative observations of repetitions, direct speech, and rhetorical questions, which are manually counted and compared across each speech under study.
ON THE GENRE AND TERMINOLOGY OF REVELATORY TEXTS
The article argues that, while preserving the traditional terms associated with specific texts is important for purposes of identification, genre studies benefit from applying more precise classifications—such as the “apocalypse,” as defined in modern scholarship. These carefully drawn distinctions help differentiate between texts that may share thematic elements but differ in structure, content, or mode of revelation. Clarifying the genre and type of a text contributes to a better understanding of its place within the broader literary tradition, facilitates comparative analysis with similar works in other traditions, and supports a more systematic approach to the study of medieval Armenian revelatory texts.
THE SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE OF THE HISTORIAN(A Critical View of Karen Hayrapetyan’s Two-Volume Work)
Through his detailed analyses, he demonstrates how the fragile cohesion between Eastern and Western Armenians deteriorated under political and social pressures, leading to fragmentation that undermined the foundations of statehood. The study of the First Western Armenian Congress reveals the political and psychological dimensions of this tension, highlighting competing visions of sovereignty and nation-building. His reflections on governmental policy – relating to refugee settlement, resource allocation, and civic responsibility – are invaluable for understanding how the young republic sought to balance compassion with institutional capacity.
By consolidating dispersed writings into a unified corpus, the two-volume edition closes major historiographical gaps and provides a structured foundation for subsequent inquiry. It simultaneously demonstrates how state-building in Armenia was both a struggle for political legitimacy and a moral endeavour to preserve dignity under existential threat. Hayrapetyan’s methodology, characterised by intellectual integrity and empathy, exemplifies a form of historical scholarship where patriotism is inseparable from critical analysis.
The posthumous publication of Hayrapetyan’s two-volume work also stands as a monument to scholarly integrity and his selfless dedication to Armenian studies. It offers the reader a profound synthesis of historical reasoning, moral clarity, and civic awareness – qualities rarely so harmoniously balanced. In preserving Hayrapetyan’s analytical voice, the publication ensures that the conversation between history and the nation’s moral imagination continues across generations.
ORGANIZATION OF EDUCATION PROCESS IN A TRANSFORMING SOCIETY
Key findings reveal that education is essential for social mobility, innovation, and fostering global consciousness. It identifies the need for reform in educational policies, particularly in Armenia, to ensure relevance and quality in a global context. The research underscores the importance of a holistic educational framework that integrates cultural values, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares individuals for the demands of a dynamic labor market.
Ultimately, the study concludes that the educational system must evolve into a flexible, innovative entity capable of enhancing both individual and societal well-being. By adapting to contemporary challenges and embracing new methodologies, education can effectively empower future generations to navigate and address complex global issues.
THE ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GABRIEL SUNDUKYAN’S VAUDEVILLES(On the occasion of the 150th anniversary)
Sundukyan’s artistic value is high, as he masterfully uses colorful and characteristic elements. Sundukyan skillfully creates real and destructive worlds that make life more recognizable, although not always pleasant. In vaudevilles, music and songs are not only a means of entertainment, but also an important element of creativity, emphasizing the atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of the interaction of different cultures and values. Comic speech, which Sundukyan often uses, is of particular importance: it not only aims to cause laughter, but also serves as a sharp tool that reveals human shortcomings, making them visible to everyone. The characters, who often speak in touching and at the same time funny ways, reveal the complex relationships between the individual and society. In the world created by Sundukyan, everything not only turns into a symbol, but also gives the reader a wide opportunity to understand the essence of human behavior, which is related to a person’s psychological choices and destiny. Sundukyan’s mission is to shed light on the problems that society or the individual often tries to hide.
THE DEPICTION OF CARPET WEAVING IN TOMBSTONE ART
These images are interpreted as expressions of the deceased’s professional identity and collective memory, reflecting both the perception of women’s social roles and the broader system of cultural values. The study employs an integrated methodological approach, combining iconographic and comparative art-historical analysis, epigraphic readings, and field data correlation. It also addresses issues of origin and attribution concerning certain tombstones in Urut, as well as the role of Armenian women in New Julfa in preserving and transmitting carpet-weaving traditions under Islamic rule.
In conclusion, the article argues that tombstones depicting female weavers serve not only as expressions of individual and communal memory but also as significant visual testimonies to the historical continuity and cultural resilience of Armenian carpet art and identity.
THE TRIUMPH OF AESTHETICISM IN THE MODERN WORLD
The lifeworld of contemporary humans is increasingly distancing itself from direct material experience, moving instead into the realm of semiotic and symbolic structures. Whereas in previous centuries humans interacted with objects as immediate components of material reality, today their experience is mediated through images, symbols, digital codes, and media flows. Reality gradually ceases to exist as a lived world, transforming into a space of form, image, and representation. However, this shift is not solely the result of conscious human choice; it is also a consequence of the development of technological civilization. Technologies, by transforming the production of objects and modes of interaction, also reshape human sensibilities and structures of perception. As a result, humans find themselves in an environment that is intrinsically coded according to aesthetic principles. The surrounding world is no longer perceived as an external reality but as a self-reproducing symbolic narrative, where “being” is gradually replaced by “appearing”. In other words, humans live not through the presence of the world but through its representation, where reality and representation often intermingle, and the value of objects and relations is measured less by their intrinsic existence than by their imaginative and performative significance. The aim of this article is to analyze how technological and aesthetic transformations reconstruct contemporary human perception of the world and shape new social and cultural practices, in which reality becomes mediated, symbolic, and aesthetically structured.