Best Armenian

Sergei Parajanov’s 1969 film, originally titled Sayat-Nova, presents a visual biography of Armenian poet and troubadour Sayat-Nova. The avant-garde work utilizes poetic imagery to depict the life of the 18th-century figure. It is recognized as a significant cinematic achievement by filmmakers and cr...

The Waltz from Masquerade Suite is an orchestral composition by Aram Khachaturian, originally written in 1941 as part of his incidental music for Mikhail Lermontov's play "Masquerade." The waltz is known for its dramatic melody and rich orchestration, reflecting the play's themes of jealousy and tra...

The Waltz from the Masquerade Suite is an orchestral composition by Aram Khachaturian, derived from his 1941 incidental music for Mikhail Lermontov's play "Masquerade." Written in a triple meter, the piece is characterized by its dramatic melodies and rich Romantic harmonies. It is a prominent movem...

Aram Khachaturian’s Masquerade Waltz is a celebrated 20th-century orchestral piece. Originally composed for ballet, it's notable for its elegant melody and distinctive Armenian influences. The waltz remains a staple of concert halls and is frequently performed by professional orchestras and music st...

The Tigran Hamasyan Trio is a jazz ensemble led by Armenian pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan, typically using the piano, bass, and drums format. Its music combines jazz improvisation and complex rhythmic structures with melodic and rhythmic material influenced by Armenian folk traditions, as wel...

Lavash is a thin, unleavened flatbread originating from the South Caucasus and a staple in Armenian cuisine. The dough, consisting simply of flour, water, and salt, is stretched thin and baked flat against the walls of a tonir, a traditional underground clay oven. This rapid baking process produces...

System of a Down is an American rock band established in 1993. The group’s distinct sound blends alternative metal with elements of nu-metal and incorporates Armenian musical influences. Known for their dynamic performances and thought-provoking lyrics addressing social and political issues, the ban...

Vospov kofte is an Armenian dish featuring a flavorful patty made primarily from red lentils and bulgur wheat. Traditionally prepared for religious fasts like Lent, it provides a satisfying vegetarian option rich in texture and earthy flavor. This meze-style snack is commonly enjoyed by those observ...

The Holy Lance of Geghard is a significant religious artifact held within the Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia. Tradition holds it was used to pierce Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. It’s considered a sacred relic within Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Armenian Apostolic faith. The lance is b...

Vospapour is an Armenian lentil and bulgur preparation whose name is commonly translated as lentil soup. Red lentils and bulgur are cooked together into a thick soup or porridge, often flavored with fried onions, herbs, and seasonings, although recipes vary by household and region. Because its basic...

Matnakash is a traditional Armenian leavened bread recognized by its oval shape and soft, airy interior. The name translates to "finger-drawn," referencing the parallel grooves pressed into the dough's surface before baking. It is typically made from wheat flour, water, and yeast, and baked in an ov...

The Ani Cathedral stands as a significant example of 11th-century Armenian architecture. Located within modern Turkey, this medieval cathedral showcases pioneering ribbed vaulting techniques—a notable advancement in construction at the time. Its current ruined state offers valuable insight into medi...

Sergey Khachatryan is an Armenian classical violinist who established an international career after winning the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels in 2005. Born in Yerevan in 1985, he previously won the Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in 2000, marking him as a prominent young virtu...

The Gospel of Queen Mlke is an Armenian illuminated Gospel book completed in the ninth century and associated with Queen Mlke of Vaspurakan. Preserved at the Armenian monastery of San Lazzaro degli Armeni in Venice, it contains canon tables, evangelist imagery, and other painted decoration. The manu...

Basturma is a highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef originating from the regions of the former Ottoman Empire. The beef is dry-cured with salt, washed, and then coated in a thick paste known as çemen. This paste consists of fenugreek, garlic, and various spices, which give the meat its signature pun...

Vospov Kufte is a traditional Armenian dish consisting of spiced patties made from mashed red lentils and bulgur wheat. The lentils and bulgur are cooked together until soft, blended into a dough, and then seasoned with regional spices before being shaped into balls or flat fritters. Because the rec...

The Kingdom of Ani was a medieval Armenian state ruled by the Bagratid dynasty, reaching its cultural and political peak between the late 10th and early 11th centuries. King Ashot III relocated the royal seat to the city of Ani in 961, transforming it into a flourishing commercial metropolis situate...

Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) was an Armenian-Soviet composer who created works blending Armenian folk music with classical traditions. He studied composition at the Gnessin Musical Institute and the Moscow Conservatory under Nikolai Myaskovsky. His most famous compositions include the ballets "Gaya...

The Zeytun Gospels is an Armenian illuminated Gospel book created in 1256 by the scribe and artist T'oros Roslin. Commissioned for Catholicos Constantine I, it is named for Zeytun, the town where the manuscript was preserved for part of its later history. Roslin's canon tables and narrative miniatur...

Arman Sarkisyan is an Armenian fine jewelry designer and master goldsmith. His brand is recognized for its sculptural, handcrafted pieces that frequently utilize blackened gold, silver, and old-world hand-engraving techniques. Sarkisyan's designs often incorporate mythological motifs, historical arc...

Armenian cuisine blends Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences, frequently featuring grilled meats, grains like bulgur, fresh herbs, fruits, and dairy products in dishes such as harissa and dolma.

Vospov apur is a traditional Armenian lentil soup recognized for its comforting texture and balance of savory and sweet flavors. The dish typically consists of brown lentils and bulgur wheat simmered with vegetables, and it sometimes incorporates dried apricots. A defining characteristic of this sou...

Narek Hakhnazaryan is an Armenian cellist who gained international prominence after winning the Gold Medal and First Prize at the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Trained at the Moscow Conservatory and the New England Conservatory, he has established a major career as a touring...

Sabre Dance is a rapid orchestral number from Aram Khachaturian's 1942 ballet Gayane, depicting a whirling Armenian sword dance.

Mshosh is a traditional Armenian dish originating from the culinary traditions of the Van region. It is a Lenten stew notable for combining cooked lentils with dried fruits like apricots, chopped walnuts, and sautéed onions. The combination of legumes and nuts provides a source of protein during fas...

Aram Khachaturian's 1975 Sonata-Monologue is an unaccompanied violin work and the middle member of his late trilogy of solo string sonatas.

Karine Georgian is a Soviet-born cellist of Armenian heritage whose work spans solo performance, chamber music, recording, and advanced musical instruction. She received a major prize at the 1970 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and subsequently developed an international performing c...

Aram Khachaturian's Symphony No. 2 in E minor, commonly called The Bell, is a large-scale orchestral work composed during the Second World War and first performed in 1943. Its recurring bell sonorities, martial rhythms, somber slow movement, and dramatic contrasts give the symphony a pronounced wart...

Stepan Malkhasyants was an Armenian philologist, linguist, translator, and lexicographer whose scholarship focused on the Armenian language and its historical literature. He is particularly associated with a four-volume explanatory dictionary of Armenian, published in 1944 and recognized with the St...