HAWK KHATCHERIAN’S ‘YERKIR’ RECAPTURES LOST LAND
YEREVAN-(Combined Sources)-Hrair “Hawk” Khatcherian’s photographs of
Western Armenia-captured in an album called “Yerkir,” was presented
on May 11 at the Sergei Parajanov Museum in Yerevan.
“Armenian architects have been denied the opportunity to study
the historical and cultural monuments of Western Armenia,” said
architect Dr. Mourad Hasratian during the ceremony-explaining that
Hawk’s photos not only serve to fill that gap-but also document the
fact that Armenia’s once lived and thrived in Western Armenia.
“Symbolically named Yerkir -this album of photographs serves as
legitimate proof of that-and is a tool for future generations to
raise the issue of territorial rights.”
Yerkir features 460 photographs of the Western Armenian cities of
Ani-Erzeroum-Gars-Moush-Sis-Van-and Zeitun-taken between 1992 and 2004.
“This album is a document; it’s our weapon. There is vast territory
that we had not seen until now,” said Parajanov Museum director Zaven
Sarkissian-stressing the album must be used as textbook in every
Armenian home. “Growing up with this album-our next generation will
be able to speak with force-in a tone different than ours.”
“Yerkir” also documents the condition of monumen’s in Western Armenia
by juxtaposing current photos with those taken at the turn of the
20th century.
Khatcherian says that little has preserved; monuments in Western
Armenia-specifically churches-have either been destroyed or converted
into stables or mosques.
The album also contains unique photos of the “Naregatsi stones.” The
Armenian poet Krikor Naregatsi (951-1003) wrote his mystical poem
“Book of Lamentations” on the stones.
Hrair Khatcherian has dedicated the album “Yerkir ” to his “venerable
teacher” Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian-who passed away on December 2-2003.
Khatcherian’s first album-published in 1997-Artsakh: A photographic
Journey-captures the vitality of the people of Mountainous Karabagh
Republic-and their courage in the struggle to be free.
Born in Lebanon-Khatcherian currently lives in Canada with his wife
Lena and their two children Lori and Palig.
For more information-contact Khatcherian at [email protected];