A VISIT TO AN HISTORIC AND PICTURESQUE LAND, NAGORNO KARABAKH
by Florence Avakian
ic-and-picturesque-land-nagorno-karabakh
November 27th, 2009
Crystal clear lakes. Majestic forested mountains. Fertile green
valleys. Ancient churches and monuments. No, this is not Switzerland
or Austria. This is Nagorno-Karabagh, (Black Highland), a magical
sliver of land with a 2500 year old Armenian history and culture
which should be on every tourist’s menu.
A worldwide telethon on Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, broadcast
from Los Angeles, raised funds for the fortress city of Shushi,
the capital and cultural center of Nagorno-Karabagh historically,
and a living museum of this many centuries-old Armenian land.
Today, Nagorno-Karabagh (known as Artsagh to Armenians), is a
tourist friendly, independent republic with elected officials, and
a population anxious to share its rich history and culture with all
visitors. Tourists can feel safe with the advanced 21st century medical
system, and the clean water and food supply. And in October of 2010,
Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabagh’s capital city with its stone buildings
and cobbled streets, will have a new airport, easing travel between
Armenia and the republic.
Once part of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabagh was taken away in 1923 by
Stalin to placate Turkey and quell nationalism in the Soviet Union.
Again claimed in 1988 by its Armenian majority, it was militarily
invaded by Azerbaijan, and after six years of a devastating war,
the 150,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabagh, won the conflict against
Azerbaijan with its population of three million.
This victory against insurmountable odds restored the people’s
national pride, and solidified the people’s determination to build
a secure, peaceful and independent future. Nagorno-Karabagh Prime
Minister Ara Harutiunian attributes this victory to the people of
the region "who were, and are willing to die for their land, freedom
and independence." In addition," he notes, "those three, four million
people in Azerbaijan are not ready to sacrifice their lives for the
sake of depriving the Nagorno-Karabagh people of their freedom."
In the history of Nagorno-Karabagh, "no outside force has been able
to conquer it, and it will never do so in the future," he declares
with no hesitation, adding that the final settlement of the republic
can only be achieved by the will of the people, and must include the
implementation of the principle of the people’s self-determination.
The organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE Minsk
Group) based in Vienna is currently negotiating with Armenia and
Azerbaijan to finalize the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh
issue.
GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Nagorno Karabagh Republic has been historic Armenian land for
centuries. Armenia, being the first Christian nation on earth, is
replete with historic and beautiful chapels and churches throughout
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. It is well known that one of Christ’s
disciples, Thaddeus who came to Armenia to spread Christ’s message, or
a pupil of his, is buried in the Tadevank monastery in Nagono-Karabagh
which was built in the fourth century. And the imposing Gantzasar
monastery, severely damaged during the war, and completely rebuilt,
is the repository of John the Baptist’s skull. "In terms of churches,
Nagorno Karabagh has global significance," states Prime Minister
Harutunyan.
Mesrob Mashdotz, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, during the
5th century A.D.’s golden age of Armenian culture, opened the first
Armenian language school in the Amaras monastery in Nagorno-Karabagh’s
region of Martuni. And the town of Dikranagerd with a population in
the tenth century of more than 25,000, boasts a magnificent tree with
a twenty foot trunk. It is one of the oldest trees in the world.
Another scenic wonder is the Azogh cave, one of the world’s most
ancient, where Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon people, and prehistoric
animals lived. It was located on the crossroads of human migration.
Currently, Spanish scientists have been making excavations there.
Ecologically, Nagorno-Karabagh has imposing mountains, rivers,
and glorious vistas. Deer, ibex, antelope, bear are in abundance in
the forests.
Kelbajar, one of the republic’s most magnificent regions, with its
towering mountains, and medicinal waters, and sandwiched between
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, supplies 85 percent of Armenia’s water
supply. Recently, a pan-Armenian symbolic action taken by students
from both Armenia and Karabagh was initiated there of walnut tree
planting, walnuts being one of the region’s most revered resources.
Also, construction of schools and multiple-storied homes and buildings
have been planned.
A visitor to Nagorno-Karabagh would find a trip to this historic and
picturesque land an unforgettable experience with timeless memories.