ARMENIAN TRIVIA
Armenia may be small, but its story stretches back thousands of years — one of the world's oldest cities, an alphabet all its own, ancient churches, carved cross-stones, and traditions passed down for generations. Here are a few things you may not know.
ARMENIA & THE LAND
Yerevan is older than Rome.
Armenia's capital traces its history to the fortress of Erebuni, founded by King Argishti I in 782 BC — making Yerevan one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Mount Ararat has two peaks.
The mountain traditionally associated with Noah's Ark has two summits: Greater Ararat, known to Armenians as Masis, and Lesser Ararat, or Sis. Though it lies within present-day Turkey, it remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Armenian identity.
Armenia sits at a historic crossroads.
Located in the South Caucasus, modern Armenia borders Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. For thousands of years its position between Europe and Asia has shaped its history, culture, and traditions.
Ever wonder why Yerevan looks pink?
Much of central Yerevan was built from tuff, a volcanic stone found throughout Armenia in shades from pink and apricot to red, brown, and black. The warm pink stone earned the capital its nickname: the Pink City.
FAITH & TRADITION
The first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
According to Armenian Church tradition, Christianity was proclaimed the state religion in 301 AD, during the reign of King Drtad III and through the work of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
Its Christian roots go back even further.
The Armenian Apostolic Church traces its beginnings to the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who brought Christianity to Armenia in the first century — an apostolic tradition reflected in the Church's name today.
Holy Etchmiadzin has stood for more than 1,700 years.
The Mother Cathedral was established in the early fourth century. Tradition holds that St. Gregory the Illuminator saw a vision of Christ descending to indicate where it should be built — Etchmiadzin means the "descent of the Only Begotten." It remains the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Armenian Christmas is January 6.
While much of the Christian world celebrates on December 25, the Armenian Apostolic Church marks the Nativity and Theophany together on January 6, preserving an ancient tradition.
Five great Tabernacle Feasts — and one water fight.
The five major feasts are the Nativity and Theophany, Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, and Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Transfiguration is also known as Vartavar, when Armenians traditionally soak one another with water.
LANGUAGE & ALPHABET
Armenian has an alphabet all its own.
Created by Mesrob Mashdots in the early fifth century. The original had 36 letters; two were added later, bringing the modern alphabet to 38 letters.
It's a branch of its own.
Armenian is an Indo-European language, but belongs to none of the Greek, Slavic, Germanic, or Romance branches. It forms a distinct branch entirely.
The alphabet launched a golden age.
Soon after its creation, scholars began translating major religious and literary works into Armenian. The fifth century became known as the Golden Age of Armenian literature.
One translation became especially famous.
The fifth-century Armenian Bible was renowned for the beauty of its language, and has traditionally been called the "Queen of Translations."
ART, BOOKS & CULTURE
No two khachkars are exactly alike.
A khachkar, or Armenian cross-stone, is a carved monument centered on a cross and surrounded by geometric, botanical, and symbolic designs. More than 50,000 exist across Armenia, each with its own design — recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Armenians have printed books for 500+ years.
The first known Armenian printed book, Urbatagirk, was printed by Hagop Meghabard in Venice in 1512 — only decades after printing began spreading across Europe.
The first printed Armenian Bible came from Amsterdam.
Printer Voskan Yerevantsi published the first complete printed Armenian Bible in Amsterdam beginning in 1666.
The first Armenian periodical was published in India.
Azdarar began publication in 1794 in Madras — a reminder of how far Armenian communities had already spread around the world.
Armenia once produced a legendary red dye.
For centuries Armenians made a brilliant crimson pigment called vortan garmir from the Armenian cochineal insect native to the Ararat Plain. Used in textiles, carpets, and illuminated manuscripts, some examples have kept their color for centuries.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Kingdoms far beyond today's borders.
Armenian kingdoms rose and fell over many centuries. One of the most powerful came under Dikran the Great in the first century BC, when the kingdom stretched from the Caspian Sea toward the Mediterranean.
The last medieval kingdom was in Cilicia.
The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, on the northeastern Mediterranean coast, flourished through the Middle Ages as a center of Armenian political and cultural life. It fell in 1375.
Independence regained in the 20th century.
After centuries under larger regional empires, the First Republic of Armenia was established in 1918. Armenia later joined the Soviet Union and declared independence again in 1991.
THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO DISCOVER
Armenian history is thousands of years old — but Armenian culture is anything but a thing of the past. You can hear it in the music, see it in the dance, taste it in the food, and feel it in traditions that still bring communities together around the world.
At ArmeniaFest, we invite you to experience a little of it for yourself.
