This is the first major exhibition to explore the remarkable artistic and cultural achievements of the Armenian people in a global context over fourteen centuries—from the fourth century, when the Armenians converted to Christianity in their homeland at the base of Mount Ararat, to the seventeenth century, when Armenian control of global trade routes first brought books printed in Armenian into the region. 

Through some 140 objects—including opulent gilded reliquaries, richly illuminated manuscripts, rare textiles, cross stones (khachkars), precious liturgical furnishings, church models, and printed books—the exhibition demonstrates how Armenians developed a unique Christian identity that linked their widespread communities over the years. 

Representing the cultural heritage of Armenia, most of the works come from major Armenian collections: the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; the Matenadaran (Ancient Manuscripts); the National History Museum in the Republic of Armenia; the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Lebanon; the Brotherhood of St. James in Jerusalem; the Mekhitarist Congregation of San Lazzaro degli Armeni in Venice; the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon; the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) in New York; the Armenian Museum of America in Boston; and the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in Michigan.

Almost all of these works are on view in the United States for the first time; some have not travelled abroad for centuries.

Credits to metmuseum.org official museum web page.

With the initiative of the Honorary Council of the Republic of Armenia and Official Representative of Business Armenia to Chicago, Paruir Sarkisian, along with the support of the Armenian community and the local municipality, the park named after Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan has been officially opened in the capital city of the US state of Illinois.

The Honorary Council and Honorary Representative of Business Armenia, Oskar Tatossian, has noted that the two parties are currently working on starting the cooperation in the spheres of tourism and high-tech, the Armenian Development Agency reported.

“Chicago has always been at the center of the attention of the tourists,” stated the International Cooperation Manager of Business Armenia, Alina Yeghiazaryan. “The newly opened park may serve as a yet another reason to visit Armenia and even start new business relations.”

“The Armenian park will also support the development of the Yerevan-Chicago fellowship,” noted Paruir Sarkisian.

Credits to news.am web page.

Bloomberg has presented a top 10 list of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe, which also includes Armenia.

Bloomberg talked to Warren Chang, chief operating officer for bespoke travel outfitter Cox & Kings’ Americas division, who presented the new destinations.

“When you’re talking about these fast-growing destinations in Europe, there’s often a lack of name recognition, compared to more popular countries,” he said.

Chang used the annual tourism growth data of each country while making the top 10.

“Among the destinations Chang expects to surge in 2019 is Armenia; in fact, Cox & Kings is slated to debut a new itinerary pairing the country with Georgia in the next few weeks. Among the outfitters already serving the destination are Abercrombie & Kent, Ker & Downey, and TCS World Travel, who collectively tout historical riches such as Mt. Ararat (where Noah’s Ark is said to have made landfall), the charming capital of Yerevan, and—yes—its most famous cultural descendants, the Kardashians. On trips with Abercrombie & Kent, guests also get in deep with local traditions: visiting brandy distilleries, meeting carpet makers, hearing spiritual chants in ancient monasteries, and learning to make lavash (a type of local flatbread) with an Armenian family,” Bloomberg wrote.

Armenia is listed 10th on the top 10 list.

First is San Marino, followed by Georgia and Israel.

Turkey, Iceland, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also included.

Credits to armenpress.am web page.