Video: History of Armenia!

Check out this well-made video - complete with a dramatic soundtrack - of the history of Armenia and its people!

Armenians as Original People of Britain?

Now here's something to wrap your head around! On the first page of one of the earliest chronicles of English history, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, it is stated - rather explicitly - that Armenians were the first people of Britain. No, the RedBull you just had isn't playing tricks on your mind!

The island Britain is 800 miles long, and 200 miles broad. And there are in the island five nations; English, Welsh (or British), Scottish, Pictish, and Latin. The first inhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia, and first peopled Britain southward.

Whoa there! Are you telling me that Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Black Sabbath all have Armenian blood? Forget the deeper historical implications, that's great news! Well, maybe not so. Reading the Chronicle further - and you're free to do so yourself with the link on the bottom - we find that there may be a possible error.

We look at the footnotes and find this:

De tractu Armoricano." --Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" i. I. The word Armenia occurring a few lines above in Bede, it was perhaps inadvertently written by the Saxon compiler of the "Chronicle" instead of Armorica.

In other words, it is very possible - nay, probable - that whoever wrote that particular sentence and included "Armenia" intended to write Armorica.

But what the hell is Armorica?

Armorica or Aremorica is the name given in ancient times to the part of Gaul that includes the Brittany peninsula and the territory between the Seine and Loire rivers, extending inland to an indeterminate point and down the Atlantic coast. The toponym is based on the Gaulish phrase are mori "on/at [the] sea", made into the Gaulish place name Aremorica 'Place by the Sea'.

Since my efforts to find reliable maps of Armorica were fruitless, I thus conclude that the history of Armenia & Britain were purposely obscured throughout the ages by opposing forces. Therefore, Armorica never existed and it was indeed Armenians who initially inhabited Britain!

Another mystery solved.

Source: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Armorica on WikiPedia

Armenia to Privatize Historic Structures

This is just great. What's next, the selling of xachkars to the highest bidder?

Courting serious controversy, the Armenian government on Thursday paved the way for the privatization of thousands of old buildings that have been deemed part of the country’s historical and cultural heritage until now.

Yes, this is the correct path to making sure our history is slowly erased, by none other than an irresponsible government and its wealthy cohorts.

Source: ArmeniaLiberty

Matenadaran's Manuscript Mistreatment

The Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - known simply as Matenadaran - contains some of the most important manuscripts in the world. However, some of the most fragile manuscripts may be in danger.

Eleven activists of art and science have sent an open letter to the President Robert Kocharyan with an appeal to ban sending valued illustrated Armenian parchment manuscripts for exhibition in France.

“These are treasures that are untouchable; they should not be transported, exposed to temperature changes, should not be exposed to unjustified risks, and the government of the Republic of Armenia is not competent to make such a decision, because those treasures belong to the Armenian nation, so exporting them from Armenia means risking their existence,” says Levon Chookaszyan, the head of the Yerevan State University UNESCO Chair of the History of Armenian Art.

“It was a miracle the manuscripts have survived 1700 years and have lived up to our days. We don’t have the right to endanger them,” he says.

They have good reason to worry: the same article mentions that works by Arshil Gorky were lost in a plane crash and paintings by Martiros Saryan burned on a ship.

Why not just send them reproductions?

Source: ArmeniaNow

Archeology in Armenia Yields Discoveries!

This is superb! While people are worrying about the elections, the neighbors, the censorship, etc., archaeologists in Armenia are making history-changing discoveries!

As a result of excavations in Aratashen, evidence was discovered of a neolithic settlement dating to 5-4 century BC.

Found materials make it possible to make certain adjustments to the historical data on the trends of development, not only of Armenia but other nearby regions, as well.

According to the budget of RA 2007, the Institute allocated 190 million drams, which is about $521,000.

I would love to dig in Armenia. Who knows what you'd find? It would be tremendously great for the public to be made more aware of such findings and other discoveries within Armenia. What better way to inspire the young and further our culture?

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Turkish People Don't Know History

It seems that Turks have no access to unbiased information about the Armenian Genocide:

“I do not know how many Armenians died in 1915 – half million, three or five. There is nothing written in Turkish manuals of history about it,” according to Co-chair of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council Kaan Soyak.

Turks started to speak about the tragedy of 1915 not long ago. “When Armenian President Robert Kocharian touched upon the subject in the UN our people started to speak of it as well. In my opinion, the trouble is that we do not contact. Armenians should know that Turkey wants to know her own history,” Soyak emphasized.

Do realize that this individual has political and business purposes for his comments, though I don't doubt that what he's saying is true. Turks believe they were killed by Armenians; also, their government imprisons anyone who takes a non-official stance, that is, anyone who believes in the Genocide.

Perhaps we should educate Turkey by donating some books. Actually, given that 15% of Turks are unable to read, maybe an audio CD may be more appropriate.

Source: PanArmenian

3,000 Victories in 5,000 Years!

Armenians are one of the most resilient people to have ever walked Earth. And I don't say that because I'm Armenian, not at all!

The Noravank Foundation, a think-tank based in Yerevan, dealing with political, cultural and economic studies, said it will publish a book called "Victories of Armenians."

He said the book will present in detail all victories Armenians have had in their 5000 year-long history. "Minute studies show that Armenians have celebrated overall 3,000 military victories," he added.

I sincerely hope this book will be available in English for the rest of the world. Let's hope the authors include many pictures and illustrations: we don't need a pictureless, small-type encyclopedia for this!

Source: Armenia Blog