PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: hq@naasr.org
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian

LECTURE ON HISTORIC MAPS OF ARMENIA

AT NAASR CENTER AND PROVIDENCE, RI

London-based author and map collector Rouben Galichian presented an
illustrated lecture highlighting the creation and contents of his
recently published book Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic
Heritage on December 2, 2004, to a large and enthusiastic audience
at the Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research (NAASR) in Belmont, MA.

The lecture was the North American launch of the book and the first
of two New England lectures by Galichian. The second, under the
joint sponsorship of NAASR and the Armenian Historical Association
of Rhode Island, will take place on Thursday, December 9, at 7:30
p.m. at the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church, 13 Franklin Street,
Providence, RI.

Inspired by Beauty of Maps

Galichian discussed his early interest in maps and mapmaking which
eventually led to the creation of a substantial map collection
of his own and to the book Historic Maps of Armenia. He spoke of
his awe viewing rare maps in the British Library, which houses an
enormous collection, and of his appreciation for the aesthetics of the
maps themselves, many of which he regards as works of art. Indeed,
as Galichian presented slides of more than one hundred of the maps
that appear in his book, some of which represent geography in a way
scarcely if at all recognizable, it was easy to see how one could
view them as artistic creations first and foremost.

He explained that in addition to being motivated by a desire to share
the beauty of maps he wanted to impart to young people some of his own
enthusiasm for the field of cartography and to enkindle an interest
in them.

Maps As Political Tools

Another major motivation, Galichian explained, was political. Maps have
a political and historical importance as they reflect power relations
among nations and convey an image of the world that reflects the view
of those who produce them. Hence, some Turkish and Azeri mapmakers
exclude Armenia from their maps altogether or else minimize it. Many
of the maps Galichian showed, made by Europeans, Turks, Persians,
and others through the centuries, demonstrate the existence of Armenia
as a geographic entity for at least 2,600 years.

Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage is for sale in
the NAASR bookstore and will be available for signing by the author
at the Providence lecture on December 9.

Special Saturday Holiday Open House

The NAASR Headquarters, including the Armenian Book Clearing House,
will be open on Saturday, December 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for
a special Holiday Open House. These will be the only weekend hours
for the bookstore during the holiday season.

The NAASR Center and Headquarters is located opposite the First
Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is
available around the building and in adjacent areas.

More information about the lecture in Providence, Historic Maps
of Armenia, or NAASR’s Holiday Open House, is available by calling
617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing hq@naasr.org, or writing
to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.