Category: News

Geghard Monastery, here in the highlands of central Armenia, is one of the country’s most notable cultural centres and, in a space famous for its acoustics, this choir of opera singers adds to the resonance. Intimate, moving, the performance has been arranged specially for our Bunnik Tours group.

“They are singing the psalms, the songs that would be sung in church,” our guide Khach whispers to me as we stand listening on the tomb’s edge.

As well as a masterpiece of medieval architecture, Geghard Monastery is also an important symbol of a country that has carved its history as the world’s first Christian country. The original monastery was established here by Gregory the Illuminator, the man who founded the Armenian Apostolic Church and converted the country to Christianity in 301. He built Geghard on a site where pagans once worshipped the sun, so they would know where to come when enlightened.

In the main church, built over that original monastery almost a millennium ago, I see candlelight flickering on dark brick walls, water trickling through chapels hewn into the cliffside, and crosses cut directly into stone. The air is cool, the mood reverent. History is all around. For centuries, Geghard held what is said to be the spear used to pierce Jesus at his crucifixion, before it was moved closer to the capital Yerevan (although it’s worth noting that three other countries also claim to have the real spear).

With deep history and rich tradition, the Armenian Church is an understandable focus for our five days in the country, part of a 22-day journey with Bunnik Tours that also includes Azerbaijan and Georgia. Geghard is just one stop on a journey that takes us from lakes to mountaintops as we trace the evolution of its Christian monuments.

“To say we have important churches and unimportant churches is not fair, but we have churches that are more visited or less visited,” Khach explains. “Location and setting matter a lot.”

There’s the location and setting of Sevanavank Monastery, for example, founded in the 9th century on a small island in Armenia’s largest body of water, Lake Sevan. It was once used for the exile of sinning monks, who had to live under a regime of no meat, wine or women.

These days, the island is a peninsula after the Soviets drained much of the water for irrigation and hydroelectricity. It would make it easy to escape … but also easy to visit, with just a climb up a long set of stairs to two stone churches perched on the upper side of the coastline, where you’ll find engraved memorial steles inside and glittering views across the water outside.

To reach another dramatic site, Noravank Monastery, we drive through a narrow ravine, rich red rockfaces looming on either side, before walking up a final hilltop, wind ricocheting off the cliffs. Here, I stop to admire the unusual facade of the main Surb Astvatsatsin Church, with the ground-floor door actually leading into a tomb, while stairs framing the entrance lead up to the worship area on the second floor.

And then there’s Khor Virap Monastery, on the plains close to the border of Turkey, surrounded by formidable stone fortifications crowning a solitary knoll. It was here that Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in a pit for 13 years by the pagan king who he eventually converted, leading to that official declaration of Armenia as the world’s first Christian country.

You can feel the solemnity in the church and chapel that were built around this pit, even if the queue for the tight climb down into the prison almost feels like a busy tourist trap. There’s a carving of Saint Gregory “curing the king of madness” and a well-adorned altar. But one of the most iconic photos is actually from the road, with the church in front of the imposing snow-capped Mount Ararat.

If there’s one icon that recurs more often than Saint Gregory in Armenia, it’s Mount Ararat (even though it’s technically been in Turkey since 1921). The mountain is said to be the spot where Noah’s Ark landed after that flood of biblical proportions, but it was also a focus of pre-Christian worship. A profound national symbol, its name has been adopted for patriotism … and marketing.

“Someone can be called Ararat from Ararat, he can sit on his balcony looking at Mount Ararat, drinking Ararat brandy, smoking an Ararat cigar, then have some Ararat beer,” Khach laughs.

My 80-year-old mother said she was done travelling, but this trip changed it all
But cut through all the brand names, and at its heart is a connection between their land and Christianity that Armenians believe goes back as far as the first book of the Old Testament. It’s reflected in the ancient spiritual history of Mount Ararat, in the gorgeous monasteries dotted throughout the country, and in the angelic voices of a choir singing psalms.

While Armenia is not a country that gets a lot of tourists (official figures show only 4000 Australians visited last year), this deep religious heritage is a major drawcard. Especially considering the news that Etchmiadzin Cathedral – the world’s oldest cathedral and “The Vatican of Armenia” – has reopened after being closed for renovations for six years, it feels like a good time to bear witness to an ancient faith.

TRIP NOTES
Explore verdict: Tourism may be relatively new for Armenia, but there’s millennia of history to delight culture-seekers.

Getting there: The most convenient flights from Australia to Yerevan are through Doha or Dubai.

Staying there: Rooms at DoubleTree by Hilton in Yerevan start from $180 a night.

On tour: Bunnik Tours’ 22-day trip to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan starts from $12,795 per person, with airfares included.

Explore more: bunniktours.com.au; armenia.travel

The writer was a guest of Bunnik Tours

For Immediate Release

YEREVAN, Armenia — On September 25, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a celebratory evening at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall to mark the University’s 35th anniversary. Bringing together members of the AUA community, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as AUA Board members, government representatives, distinguished guests, and University supporters, the evening honored AUA’s journey over the past three and a half decades and looked ahead to the opportunities that lie before the University.

Held under the theme Paving the Way for Future Leaders, the celebration highlighted the University’s continued commitment to expanding educational opportunities, advancing research and innovation, and contributing to Armenia’s development. The anniversary also served as an opportunity to reaffirm AUA’s investment in the generations of students, researchers, and professionals, who will help shape Armenia’s future. 

Over the past 35 years, AUA has grown into a vibrant academic community. Today, more than 2,800 students and a community of approximately 8,000 alumni are contributing to Armenia and communities around the world as entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, physicians, public servants, educators, researchers, and innovators. Their accomplishments and contributions stand among the University’s most enduring legacies.

AUA was founded through a unique partnership between the Government of the newly formed Republic of Armenia, the University of California (UC), and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). This partnership established the foundation for an institution that would connect Armenia to international academic networks while contributing to the country’s educational, economic, and social development.

The evening began with a film produced by the AUA Media Lab, highlighting the University’s growth over the past 35 years, its impact today, and its plans for the future. The film set the stage for the official celebratory program, which featured remarks from the AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian; Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia and AUAF Board member Dr. Zhanna Andreasyan; former UC Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at UC Berkeley, Dr. Katherine S. Newman; AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian; and AUA co-founder and President Emeritus Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian.

In his remarks, President Boghosian spoke about AUA’s role in connecting Armenia with the world through education and research and outlined the University’s priorities for the years ahead. “Part of AUA’s mission has always been to connect Armenia with the wider world through education and research. Today, that connection is arguably working in both directions. We bring global knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities to Armenia, while our students, graduates, and researchers carry Armenian ideas into the world. AUA’s diverse student body, faculty, and staff create that two-way bridge,” he remarked.

Dr. Boghosian highlighted AUA’s plans to expand academic programs in fields of growing importance to Armenia, including artificial intelligence, engineering, applied mathematics, economics, public health, environmental sustainability, and public policy. He also highlighted plans to strengthen AUA’s research capacity, expand international partnerships, and create greater opportunities for faculty and students to pursue research and innovation. The University also plans to expand its physical campus and further develop a diverse academic community connecting Armenia with the world. “I am convinced that AUA’s best days lie ahead of us. The University is a shining example of how to build bridges connecting some of the finest minds of this country with top institutional and academic leaders globally,” he remarked.

In her remarks, Minister Andreasyan highlighted the important role of the Republic of Armenia in the establishment and development of AUA. “Founded in the year of Armenia’s independence, AUA’s history is closely intertwined with our country’s journey toward building and strengthening an independent state. Over the past 35 years, the University has become one of Armenia’s important and recognized higher education institutions, making a significant contribution to the development of our country through its educational, research, and public mission,” she remarked. “The University’s journey demonstrates that sustained effort, academic freedom, high standards of educational quality, and a culture of international collaboration can create an educational environment where knowledge and innovation become a genuine force for the country’s development,” she added.

Delivering video remarks on behalf of the University of California, Dr. Newman reaffirmed UC’s commitment to AUA, highlighting the recent agreement extending the partnership for another 10 years. “Your work is built in an institution of lasting importance to Armenia and to the world,” she remarked.

Reflecting on AGBU’s longstanding partnership with AUA, AGBU President Yacoubian spoke about the University’s enduring role in Armenia’s educational and intellectual landscape. “For AGBU, it is a great source of pride to have been one of the founding partners behind AUA’s vision,” he said. “Today, AUA is one of Armenia’s most important educational institutions: a bridge of knowledge, innovation, and international collaboration that connects Armenia with leading educational and research institutions around the world.”

The celebration also marked the successful conclusion of the Pass the Mic to the Future, an initiative dedicated to the University’s 35th anniversary. The campaign raised $35,000 in around two months to name the AUA Media Lab podcast room the AUA Alumni Podcast Room. The campaign represents the first collective alumni naming opportunity at AUA and underscores the continued connection between the University and its growing alumni community.

Speaking on behalf of the alumni community, Edita Ghazaryan (MPSIA ’15), executive director of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE), reflected on the role AUA has played in shaping the experiences and paths of its graduates and on the responsibility of the alumni community to contribute to the University’s continued development.

In his remarks, Dr. Der Kiureghian congratulated the AUA community on this milestone and reflected on the University’s remarkable journey, from its founding vision to the institution it has become today. Looking to the future, he expressed confidence in AUA’s continued growth and potential. “Reflecting on how far we have come, I am confident that there is no limit to what AUA can accomplish,” he said.

Following Dr. Der Kiureghian’s remarks, President Boghosian presented him with the University’s Presidential Commendation award, AUA’s highest honor, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions and demonstrated distinguished service in advancing education, research, outreach, and innovation with a profound impact on Armenia. Established by Dr. Der Kiureghian himself in 2017, the award made the recognition particularly meaningful, honoring his longstanding contributions to AUA and Armenia.

The program continued with a concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, providing a fitting artistic finale to an evening dedicated to celebrating AUA’s history, community, and future.

The evening concluded with a reception, during which members of the AUA community, partners, supporters, and guests celebrated the University’s journey in a warm and relaxed setting.

AUA acknowledges the generous support of the event’s legacy partner Evocabank, and sponsors Minas Wines and Pepsi.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.