Author Archives: Admin

THE FALL OF ARTSAKH – 2023-4

A historical tragedy and an alarm for the Republic of Armenia

Otto Joh. Luchterhandt (Hamburg, Germany)

The article covers the recent events in Artsakh in the context of regional
geopolitical interests and international law. It is shown that Azerbaijan and Turkey have violated international law with their aggressive war against Nagorno-Karabakh and that Azerbaijan’s threats against the Republic of Armenia also violate the prohibition of the use of force established by international law (Article 2, (4), UN Charter).

Although Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy completely contradicted the current
international law, Azerbaijan was able to succeed because not only Russia but also the entire international community stopped acting on the Karabakh issue. The participation of NATO member Turkey was decisive for the outcome of the 44-day war. Azerbaijan would also have lost in that Karabakh war, a war contradicting international law, if Turkey and the Syrian mercenaries did not take part in it.

The end of the Republic of Artsakh and the mass migration of Karabakh
Armenians were a drastic turning point in the history of the Armenian people, and the Armenian Diaspora spread throughout the world. The catastrophe unwittingly evokes memories of the Genocide that took place in the Ottoman state during the First World War, even if its dimensions are incomparable. The shock associated with the fall of Artsakh is perhaps even greater because it happened in front of the eyes of the world community, which, compared to 100 years ago, not only knows international law, genocide, and human rights but also often demands great sensitivity in this regard.

The disastrous consequences of the collapse and loss of Karabakh hit
Armenia at a time when its international political conditions have become significantly complicated, firstly, by Russia’s war against Ukraine, and secondly, by Russia’s still intensifying confrontation with the “collective West.” The war of Hamas against Israel and the resulting tensions in the entire Islamic-Arab region have led to the fact that the conditions for Armenia have become more unfavorable and unpredictable. Under these conditions, the Armenian government can avoid the risk of becoming a victim of new military attacks like in the remaining part of Karabakh only by continuing to maintain traditional close allied relations with Russia and neighborly relations with Iran and by involving the EU in its efforts to resolve its national problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

With the flight of more than 100,000 compatriots within a week, the issues
and the challenges facing the Republic of Armenia are enormous. It is possible to overcome these challenges only in conditions of striving with the forces of all state bodies and institutions, public organizations, broad citizen solidarity, willingness to help, and the generous support of the Diaspora.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CATHOLICOS HAKOB JUGHAYECI AND THE VANANDETSI FAMILY – 2023-3

Zina A. Avetisyan

The beginning of the 17th century became an essential start of educational and cultural awakening for the Armenian nation. Closing the bitter pages of the wars, the Armenian people devoted themselves to the work of spreading enlightenment, which was done through the work of book printing. The development of the Armenian typography along with “Sharaknots”, “Saghmosaran” and “Mashtots”, gave birth to some monumental works such as “History” of Arakel Davridzetsi published by Voskan Erevantsi, “The History of Armenia” by Movses Khorenatsi, the first modern Armenian world atlas “Hamatarac ashkharatsoyts” published by the Vanandetsi.

THE FIRST LEAFLET OF CHRISTAPOR MIKAELIAN – 2023-3

On the closing of the Armenian schools in February, 1885

Gohar G. Avagyan

In 1828-1829, after the annexation of other territories of the Transcaucasian region of Eastern Armenia to Russia, in the course of realization of the colonial and strengthening policy pursued by the tsarist government, a certain place was given to the field of education. The main goal was to increase the role of the Russian language in the region, and then from childhood to instill in the pupils a sense of submission and loyalty to the Russian throne and to prepare persons with certain professional qualifications to contribute to the economic development of the backward region. 

A NEW ATTEMPT AT THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAME DAVIT – 2023-3

Hamlet K. Davtyan

There is a common belief that the Armenian name Davit (Դավիթ) is a slightly phonetic modification of the Jewish name David, which means beloved, lover. However, the popularity of the name both in the West and in the East is not a necessary condition for assuming that the Armenian form is also borrowed. By looking for the roots of the name, it is noticeable that the two versions of the name were common among Armenians: Davit and Tavit. Which of these is the oldest? Is it a problem of pronunciation, what does the Armenian version of the name mean – these are the questions discussed in the article.

EBLAITE AND AKKADIAN INSCRIPTIONS ABOUT HAYK AND HIS TWO ANCESTORS – 2023-3

Sargis G. Petrosyan (Gyumri)

In the third quarter of the III millennium BC. in northern Syria, the flourishing and developed city of Ebla was the capital of the eponymous kingdom. Ebla, as well as the neighboring tribal union of Armi, had to resist attacks from the king of Akkad, the despot of all Mesopotamia, Sargon of Akkad. For the same reason, they intended to conclude an anti-Akkadian alliance. The negotiations in Ebla were conducted by the authorized intermediary of Hayk (ebl. Haia//arm. Hayk) – the king of the union of Armi. To conclude the agreement Hayk sent his deputies, the ancestors of his tribe Malum and Muri, to Ebla.

THE ICONOGRAPHY OF PEACOCK IN THE ARMENIAN MEDIEVAL SCULPTURAL ART – 2023-3

Ashkhen D. Yenokyan

The ornament representing the peacock has been known since the pre-Christian period yet. It was also widely spread in the Christian art, initially being perceived as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. It was also manifested in other symbolic meanings over time, expressed in different iconographic solutions. The mentioned features are also noticeable in the compositions of peacocks found in Armenian sculptural art, which were grouped and interpreted according to iconographic and symbolic features for the first time.