“1489” Unites Cultures: Director Shoghakat Vardanyan Meets with Armenian Community at West Lake IDF Film Festival
The Armenian documentary "1489" made its debut in China at the West Lake IDF Film Festival in Hangzhou on October 26 and 27. The location for this event is the China Academy of Art, situated at No. 352, Xiangshan Road, Zhuantang Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou. The film's presence on this international stage underscores the significance of its message, which bridges cultural divides and resonates with audiences well beyond Armenia. Director Shoghakat Vardanyan attended the festival's opening and engaged with members of the Armenian community in Hangzhou, fostering a sense of connection and cultural exchange. It is noteworthy that "1489" received the
The Armenian Documentary “1489”: A Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience, Now Reaching Audiences in China
1489 is a deeply moving documentary that follows the personal journey of Shoghakat Vardanyan and her family as they navigate the painful search for her younger brother, Soghomon. A 21-year-old student and musician on the verge of completing his mandatory military service, Soghomon went missing during Azerbaijan’s military attacks on Armenia in September 2020. His remains were tragically identified only by the number “1489.” For two years, Vardanyan’s family endured an emotional struggle to uncover the truth, a journey documented with raw honesty and heart. The film captures their battle to cope with uncertainty and loss while reflecting the broader scars
Silk Road Serenity: Celebrating the Unity of Humanity and Nature
In the heart of a vast desert landscape, a magnificent sculpture carved from red sandstone, depicting an infant in a serene slumber, stands as a testament to the ancient ties between civilization and the natural environment. This remarkable piece, entitled "Son of the Earth," is a profound symbol of the enduring harmony between humanity and nature. Located in Guazhou County, within the boundaries of Gansu Province, this sculpture is strategically positioned along the historic Silk Road, a route that has long facilitated cultural, commercial, and technological exchanges between the East and West. The sculpture, with dimensions of 15 meters in length,
Empowering Tomorrow and Fostering Community Engagement: Inauguration of the Armenian Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program 2024
The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia is currently executing the annual Diaspora Youth Ambassador program, which is funded by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Jinishian Memorial Foundation. The "Diaspora Youth Ambassador" 2024 program, now in its fourth year, has selected 30 participants from 20 countries across the globe, including Australia, USA (Los Angeles), China, Iran, Georgia, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Germany, France, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The selected participants have arrived in Armenia and have completed their first day of intensive
Elegance Through Time: The 1881 Armenian Wedding Dress in The Met Collection
The opulent silk and gold components of this garment housed at the Metropolitan Museum of America (Accession Number: 1991.55), alongside its elegantly flowing silhouette, underscore its designation for ceremonial use within Armenian culture. This dress, generously provided by Mrs. Fimi M. Samour—whose Armenian family emigrated from Adana to the United States in 1921—has been identified as her mother's wedding attire from 1881. Crafted from a sumptuous purple-violet striped textile, the fabric likely utilized mauveine, the first synthetic dye introduced in 1856 and adopted in Europe. The dress features broad, deep purple stripes interspersed with narrower fuchsia bands, all embellished with continuous
