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Culture
The information of ancient Armenian culture enjoyed the
input of the dwellers of the Armenian plateau and those
ancient societies and countries with which the Armenians
had long maintained contact.
From ancient times, Armenians have cherished their
artistic traditions, which reflect a unique culture and
landscape. Aspects of everyday life are expressed in the
most artistic fashion, in needlework, embellishments,
carvings and design. At the earliest stages of
its development ancient Armenian culture was singled out
by its perceptiveness towards the cultural
accomplishments of other peoples. This feature became
most salient during the Hellenistic period. Being a
culture of a higher order, Hellenism nevertheless didn't
level out local Armenian culture, while leaving a deep
impact on it. In material culture it is most apparent in
architecture. The best known monument of the Hellenistic
period in Armenia is the heathen temple Garny. The
heathen religion was an important component of ancient
Armenian culture, it underwent changes prior to the
Christianity.
Architecture is one of the most interesting art
forms in Armenia, as, for example, churches bear
artistic illustrations in frescoes and relief.
Sculpting is everywhere - in nearly every city,
town, and village in Armenia.
Sharakans are traditional Armenian liturgical
songs, which are experiencing a revival today.
Distinctive musical instruments are used to play
Armenian folk songs. Sayat Nova, Komitas, and Aram
Khachaturian are among Armenia's best-known musicians
and composers. Contemporary music comes in the forms of
jazz and pop. Frequent concerts make for delightful
evenings at the Philharmonic, Chamber Music Hall, Opera
and Ballet House in Yerevan.
Ancient sources have preserved information about the
theater arts of Armenia. It is known that Tigran
the second in his capital Tigranakert built a theater
where Greek actors used to perform. His successor king
Artavazd the second offered his royal palace in Artashat
for theatrical performances. King Ardavazd the second is
considered to be the first Armenian playwright, which
entitled him to be cast in stone in a bas-relief of the
pediment of the building of the Armenian Academic Drama
Company in Yerevan.
Literature has always played a vital role
in Armenia's cultural and national identity. Before the
Armenian alphabet was developed in the 5th century,
Armenian tales were passed down by oral tradition and
written in foreign languages. Armenian manuscripts,
beautifully illuminated with miniatures, combine
Armenia's literary and illustrative traditions.
Artists
from that period, such as the portrait painter Hakob
Hovnatanian and the seascape artist Ivan Aivazovsky,
continue to enjoy international reputation. In the 20th
century, Martiros Saryan captured nature's essence in a
new light, and Arshile Gorky greatly influenced a
generation of young American artists in New York, while
Carzou and Jansem found fame and fortune painting in
France. A visit to Saryan Park will bring you in touch
with today's Armenian artists. The Caucasus region and
Armenia in particular have been cited by scholars
as the place where rug and carpet weaving originated.
Armenians continue this tradition, and one can find many
shops specializing in fine new and old rugs and carpets.
Carpet making is not only a fine art, but Kilim
weaving, for example, is applied to clothing items,
bags, and home furnishings. Wood carvings
replicate the ancient stone crosses (khachkars) found
throughout the country, and no two are exactly alike.
Armenian crafts couple elegant utility and delightful
whimsy in textiles, ceramics, metal and woodworking.
Armenia is often referred to as an open air museum.
Tourists find over 4,000 historical monuments throughout
Armenia, covering various periods of the country's
history from prehistoric to Hellenistic times, and from
the early to medieval Christian era. The Armenians
created their masterpieces during rare periods of peace
and relative prosperity over the centuries |
