Press Release
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
ILLUSTRATED LECTURE ON HISTORIC MAPS OF ARMENIA AT NAASR
Armenia appears on various maps dating back to the first known
cartographic document, a clay tablet depicting the world as it was
known to the Babylonians. The ups and downs of Armenian history can be
charted on countless maps created over the last 2,500 years. Rouben
Galichian of London, England, has brought together in one volume,
Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage, some 100 maps,
many extremely rare.
In an illustrated lecture and book signing on Thursday, December 2, at
8:00 p.m., at the Center and Headquarters of the National Association
for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont,
Mass, Galichian will give the book its North American launch and share
insights into the book’s creation and what it reveals about Armenian
history.
Decades of Collecting Rare Maps
Some thirty years ago, Rouben Galichian started collecting maps and
studying literature on general cartography, and especially about the
cartography of the region of Armenia. Several years ago he decided to
collate his own studies and the available multitude of maps of Armenia
in worldwide sources and create Historic Maps of Armenia. The maps are
not only often visually striking works of art in their own right but
also of vital historical interest.
Turkish and Azeri academicians have claimed that the Armenians are
only relative newcomers to the area known as Historic Armenia. Turkish
historians deliver lectures about the ancient culture of Turkey, with
no mention of Armenia or Armenians, whose lands they occupied after
the tenth and eleventh centuries. Some Azeri “historians” also claim
that the Armenians of the Caucasus area inhabit the land that has
always been that of the “Caucasian Albanians,” from whom the Azeris
claim descent. Using various geographic and cartographic resources,
Galichian will present and discuss maps that demonstrate the contrary.
Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage will be on sale in
the NAASR bookstore and available for signing by the author.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. 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.