A Land of Stones

What do you think of when you hear Armenia? Before you continue reading, please write down your very first association, or is there none at all? Is it history, culture, people, a land of stones, or more specific like Ararat, love, khachkar, Christianity, UNESCO World Heritage sites?
But in the end, the familiar feeling is always there - Armenia - a land where you don't feel like a guest, but at home, or sometimes even better."

"The inhabitants of this beautiful country never let you forget what they have endured for millennia. Armenians, one of the oldest peoples in the world, possess their homeland as a small Christian country nestled among the breathtaking mountains in the southern part of Transcaucasia, bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. What makes them so resilient throughout history, amidst being a bone of contention between great powers and a battleground for various nomadic tribes? Once again, is it history, language, culture, mountains, the land, or perhaps their specialties? You will surely find the answer during your journey through this dreamland.
Even Armenians themselves often say that barely three million live in the homeland, and the other ten million Armenians - outside, spreading the word about this country to the whole world. That's how vast the Armenian diaspora is, hiding thousands of stories."

"Today, the capital, Yerevan, is the largest city with over a million inhabitants, known as the city of love made of pink tuff stone. The diversity of volcanic stone often appears in both Soviet and modern architecture, ranging from light pink to deep black, captivating with its contrast. With this understanding that you are dealing with a cultural people here and gaining information that cannot be found so condensed anywhere else, you experience modern everyday life filled with music, like jazz, spiced with traditional group dance, Kochari, touched by the openness and warmth of Armenian society, which can be both conservative and traditional. However, one thing is certain - once you visit Armenia, it gains a small illuminated place in your heart forever. And you will have your own word for Armenia."

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia:
1996 – Haghpat Monastery
2000 – Sanahin Monastery
2000 – Cathedral and Churches of Echmiadzin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
2000 – Geghard Monastery in the Upper Azat Valley

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
2005/2008 – The Duduk Music (Wooden Oboe)
2010 – The Armenian Art of Khachkars, Symbolism and Craftsmanship of Khachkars
2012 – Performance of the Epic "Sasna Tsrer" or "David of Sasoon"
2014 – The Preparation and Meaning of Lavash Bread
2017 – The Traditional Group Dance Kochari

Sites in Armenia Nominated for World Heritage Status:
In the UNESCO Tentative List, sites are listed which, according to the respective government, are potentially suitable for designation as World Heritage Sites.
1995 – Archaeological Site of the City of Dvin
1995 – Basilica and Archaeological Site of Jereruyk
1995 – Monasteries of Tatev and Tatevi Anapat and the Opposite Vorotan Valley
1996 – Noravank Monastery

Documentary Heritage of Armenia:
1997 – Manuscript Collection of Mashtots Matenadaran, Yerevan, containing ancient Armenian manuscripts and outstanding examples of Armenian miniatures
2011 – The initial research results of the Byurakan Observatory from 1965–1980
2013 – Collection of sheet music and film scores by composer Aram Khachaturian