Armenia: Exploring The Cultural Heritage of Eurasia with Dr. Nina Wieda
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Armenia, the first Christian state of human history, is hidden high in the Caucasus mountains between Iran, Turkey, and two post-Soviet states. Home to several UNESCO-recognized cultural traditions, Armenia carries its millennia-old culture into modernity.
Hidden high in the Caucasus mountains, Armenia is one of the oldest surviving nations in the world. The first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion, Armenia is home to its own Christian tradition and a unique church architecture inspired by the surrounding mountainous landscape. Its mystical musical tradition is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Armenia’s mountain slopes, crossroads, and churchyards are studded with ornate ancient cross-stones (khachkars) - another UNESCO treasure with a fascinating history.
In the 1st century BC, Armenia was the most powerful kingdom east of the Roman Republic and left its mark in world history and ancient chronicles. Noah’s Ark is said to have found its rest near the summit of Armenia’s sacred Ararat mountain. Throughout the centuries, Armenia developed its culture in dialog with the great civilizations of the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Led by an expert on the Caucasus, Nina Wieda, this interactive seminar will introduce its participants to the fascinating cultural heritage of Armenia. Much smaller in size today, Armenia retains its ancient culture in the area nestled between Iran, Turkey, and the post-Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Hidden away among some of the highest mountain peaks in Europe, Armenia remains one of the few surviving ancient cultures.
This conversation is part of a four-part series on Eurasian Culture with Nina Wieda. Each session is designed as a stand-alone seminar as well as part of a four-week series.
Armenia: Exploring The Cultural Heritage of Eurasia with Nina Wieda
Azerbaijan: At the Crossroads of the Continents with Nina Wieda
The Baltics: An Introduction to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with Nina Wieda
Nina Wieda is a native of the Caucasus living in Chicago, USA. She holds a Ph.D. in Slavic from Northwestern University and an MA in Nationalism Studies from Central European University. She worked as a newspaper journalist in the Caucasus and wrote her Master's thesis about the Northern Caucasus region. She teaches at Northwestern University near Chicago.
This conversation is suitable for all ages
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Great information about a very old and beautiful country. Dr. Wieda did an excellent job with lovely, scenic photos, information about the history and geography and examples of the language, poetry, song, and film. I took this seminar to learn about a country I had barely heard of before and am so glad I did.
I think Dr. Nina Wieda presented a most organized and informative program on Armenia. As an Armenian, I learned so many facts that I was unaware of. I hope you will present this again, as I plan to tell my friends what they must not miss in the future.
Having thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Wieda's Georgia seminar, I have to admit to being slightly disappointed by this one. I'm not quite sure why, but for me it didn't quite covey the same breadth or information and inspiration as the Georgia seminar. Nevertheless, it was interesting, some lovely visuals and made me interested in travelling to Armenia some day.