Crystal clear lakes. Majestic forested mountains. Fertile green valleys. Ancient churches and monuments. No, this is not Switzerland or Austria. This is Nagorno-Karabagh, (Black Highland), a magical sliver of land with a 2500 year old Armenian history and culture which should be on every tourist’s menu.
A worldwide telethon on Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, broadcast from Los Angeles, raised funds for the fortress city of Shushi, the capital and cultural center of Nagorno-Karabagh historically, and a living museum of this many centuries-old Armenian land.
Today, Nagorno-Karabagh (known as Artsagh to Armenians), is a tourist friendly, independent republic with elected officials, and a population anxious to share its rich history and culture with all visitors. Tourists can feel safe with the advanced 21st century medical system, and the clean water and food supply. And in October of 2010, Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabagh’s capital city with its stone buildings and cobbled streets, will have a new airport, easing travel between Armenia and the republic.
Once part of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabagh was taken away in 1923 by Stalin to placate Turkey and quell nationalism in the Soviet Union. Again claimed in 1988 by its Armenian majority, it was militarily invaded by Azerbaijan, and after six years of a devastating war, the 150,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabagh, won the conflict against Azerbaijan with its population of three million.
This victory against insurmountable odds restored the people’s national pride, and solidified the people’s determination to build a secure, peaceful and independent future. Nagorno-Karabagh Prime Minister Ara Harutiunian attributes this victory to the people of the region “who were, and are willing to die for their land, freedom and independence.” In addition,” he notes, “those three, four million people in Azerbaijan are not ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of depriving the Nagorno-Karabagh people of their freedom.”
In the history of Nagorno-Karabagh, “no outside force has been able to conquer it, and it will never do so in the future,” he declares with no hesitation, adding that the final settlement of the republic can only be achieved by the will of the people, and must include the implementation of the principle of the people’s self-determination. The organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE Minsk Group) based in Vienna is currently negotiating with Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalize the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh issue.
GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Nagorno Karabagh Republic has been historic Armenian land for centuries. Armenia, being the first Christian nation on earth, is replete with historic and beautiful chapels and churches throughout Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. It is well known that one of Christ’s disciples, Thaddeus who came to Armenia to spread Christ’s message, or a pupil of his, is buried in the Tadevank monastery in Nagono-Karabagh which was built in the fourth century. And the imposing Gantzasar monastery, severely damaged during the war, and completely rebuilt, is the repository of John the Baptist’s skull. “In terms of churches, Nagorno Karabagh has global significance,” states Prime Minister Harutunyan.
Mesrob Mashdotz, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, during the 5th century A.D.’s golden age of Armenian culture, opened the first Armenian language school in the Amaras monastery in Nagorno-Karabagh’s region of Martuni. And the town of Dikranagerd with a population in the tenth century of more than 25,000, boasts a magnificent tree with a twenty foot trunk. It is one of the oldest trees in the world.
Another scenic wonder is the Azogh cave, one of the world’s most ancient, where Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon people, and prehistoric animals lived. It was located on the crossroads of human migration. Currently, Spanish scientists have been making excavations there.
Ecologically, Nagorno-Karabagh has imposing mountains, rivers, and glorious vistas. Deer, ibex, antelope, bear are in abundance in the forests.
Kelbajar, one of the republic’s most magnificent regions, with its towering mountains, and medicinal waters, and sandwiched between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, supplies 85 percent of Armenia’s water supply. Recently, a pan-Armenian symbolic action taken by students from both Armenia and Karabagh was initiated there of walnut tree planting, walnuts being one of the region’s most revered resources. Also, construction of schools and multiple-storied homes and buildings have been planned.
A visitor to Nagorno-Karabagh would find a trip to this historic and picturesque land an unforgettable experience with timeless memories.
Written by Florence Avakian
