The torn rug was restored as a testimony of the reunion of two Armenian sisters who survived the Genocide

The “Vahanagorg” rug, a century-and-a-half-old artifact from Western Armenia, has a unique history. During the Armenian Genocide, a period when Armenians were forced to flee their homes, the rug was separated into two parts. Its significance lies in the fact that it was divided among a mother’s daughters, with the assurance that the shield rug would protect them from all difficulties and help them surmount obstacles, ensuring that two pieces would be reunited with the reunion of two sisters.
After 52 years, the rug’s reunion occurred when the sisters coincidentally met at the Armenian Church in New York and brought the two pieces of the rug together. This reunion serves as a testament to the importance of family, culture, and tradition in Armenian heritage.
Nowadays, the rug is displayed at the Megerian Museum, where it serves as a poignant reminder of the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide. The display of this cultural artifact is an effort to preserve cultural artifacts for future generations and to tell their stories, imbuing the artifact with context and turning it into a relic that speaks to the importance of cultural heritage.