The photo collection of khachkars, Armenian stone crosses, has been prepared by Dr Anna Givargizyan, an Armenian living in Moscow. The exhibition lasted from the February 2nd to March 3rd 2016, and was held in the hall of the Society of Friends of the Dubrovnik Antiquities. Except Dr Givarigizyen, in the solemn opening of the exhibition participated Armenian archbishop Kegham Katcherian, the Dubrovnik bishop Mate Uzinić, Croatian historian Dr Vinicije Lupis and Mrs Naira Asatryan, who is a pianist living in Dubrovnik and is the founder of the Croatian-Armenian Friendship Society in the city. |
Khachkars - Armenian stone crosses exhibited in the city of Dubrovnik Khachkars represent the symbols of happiness, light and life. They belong to some of the principal religious signs of Armenian Church. The photo collection of khachkars has been prepared by dr. Anna Givargizyan, an Armenian living in Moscow. The exhibition lasted from the February 2nd to March 3rd 2016, and was held in the hall of the Society of Friends of the Dubrovnik Antiquities, in Široka ulica 2 (Wide Street) near the main street of Stradun in Dubrovnik. Except Dr Anna Givarigizyen, in the solemn opening of the exhibition participated Armenian archbishop Kegham Katcherian, the Dubrovnik bishop Mate Uzinić, Croatian historian Dr Vinicije Lupis and Mrs Naira Asatryan, who is pianist of Armanian origin, living in Dubrovnik and the founder of the Croatian-Armenian Friendship Society in the city. Mrs Givargizyan is the founder and editor in chief of an Armenian journal called The ZHAM magazine (in Armenian, Zham = Time), published bilingualy in Russian and Armenian in Moscow, dedicated to all aspects of Armenian culture. She earned her PhD in cultorology from the Moscow University. In 2015, in Moscow, Dr Anna Givargizyan organized a very successful presentation of an important monograph about the tradition of St Blaise in Dubrovnik, written jointly by Dr Vinicije Lupis from Dubrovnik and Dr Artur Bagdasaarov from Moscow. The ZHAM Magazine, mentioned above, has published already several reports about centuries-old tradition of Sveti Vlaho (St Blaise) in the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. The tradition goes back to the the 10th century, when Sveti Vlaho became the patron saint of the city. St Blaise is an Armenian martyr, who lived in the fourth century, when he was decapitated in the year 317. His cult is widespread throughout the Christian world, including Croatia. His head arrived as a precious reliquia to the city of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) in the year 972 AD, that is, more than a thosand years ago. During the Feast of St Blaise (Sveti Vlaho), his head is worn by the bishops and archbishops, which believers touch and kiss with reverence. The figure of Sveti Vlaho is the principal link between Croatia and Armenia. |
Khachkars The word "khachkar" represents a remarkable branch in the art of stones work which, in ancient and medieval times, was mainly encountered throughout the territory of historical Armenia and in all those places where Armenians set foot and where the smoke rose from their hearths. Khachkar, arising from an early Christian cultural atmosphere of Armenia and as the logical successor of ancient monumental sculpture, developed throughout the centuries, attained perfection and became one of the finest branches of fine art. Being definitely an Armenian national phenomenon, they are remarkable as unparalleled monuments, enriching the esthetic and cultural treasury of civilized mankind. Many thanks to Dr Anna Givargizyan for sending us this text. |
Armenian archbishop Khatcherian, distinguished guest of the Dubrovnik bishop Mate Uzinić, attending
an exibition "Khachkars" of the Armenian photographer Anna Givargizyan in Dubrovnik.
Formated for CROWN by Darko Žubrinić
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