Events
Lecture: “Architectural Parallels of Contemporary Buildings and Tomb Structures”
On April 11, the first seminar of the Architectural Modeling Research Group for 2025 was held at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of RA. Architect Lilit Ter-Minasyan delivered a lecture on the topic “Architectural Parallels of Contemporary Buildings and Tomb Structures.” In her presentation, L. Ter-Minasyan discussed architectural commonalities observed between volumetric (residential, cult), and burial structures.
2025-04-11
Lecture: “Tatev Monastery: The Vow of St. Eustatius the Apostle”
On April 10, in the reading hall of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA, a lecture was held as part of the “Medieval Studies Discussions” seminar series. The lecture, entitled “Tatev Monastery: The Vow of St. Eustatius the Apostle,” was delivered by Dr. Arsen Harutyunyan, Head of the Department of Epigraphy. The event was attended by the Institute’s staff, students, and others interested in the topic. Following the presentation, a discussion took place, and attendees addressed questions to Dr. Arsen Harutyunyan.
2025-04-10
Lecture: “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection: International and Local Policies”
On April 8, another seminar of the Ethnography Department was held in the reading hall of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography (IAE) of the NAS of the Republic of Armenia. The lecture, entitled “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection: International and Local Policies,” was delivered by ethnographer Ruzanna Tsaturyan, a researcher in the same department. The event was attended by Deputy Director of the IAE Tork Dalalyan, Head of the Department of Ethnography Suren Hobosyan, and other researchers. In her lecture, the speaker addressed the 2006 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, with particular emphasis on issues related to the cultural heritage of Artsakh. At the end of the seminar, attendees posed questions to the speaker.
2025-04-08
Lecture on the compilation of the collection entitled “Dance and Song Folklore of Shirak: Games”
On April 3, another seminar of the Department of Folklore Textology was held in the conference hall of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. The speaker was Hasmik Galstyan, a researcher of the department, Ph.D. in Philology. Together with Hasmik Harutyunyan, a senior researcher at the Shirak Center for Armenian Studies of the NAS RA and a musicologist (Ph.D in Art History), and Hasmik Matikyan, a researcher at the same center (Ph.D. in Philology), Galstyan initiated the compilation of the collection entitled “Dance and Song Folklore of Shirak: Games.” The seminar was dedicated to this project. During the event, the speakers discussed various questions and challenges that arose during the compilation process. The resulting book is a collection of folklore texts accompanied by a hand-written songbook.
2025-04-03
The Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA Holds Scientific Council Meeting to Present 2024 Excavation Results
From March 26 to 28, the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (IAE NAS RA) is holding a meeting of its Scientific Council to present the results of archaeological excavations and research conducted in 2024. The first session took place in the small conference hall of the NAS RA. Among those in attendance were Academician-Secretary of the Department of Armenian Studies and Social Sciences of the NAS RA, Corresponding Member of the Academy, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Yuri Suvaryan; researchers from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography; and others interested in the field. The meeting was opened by the Director of the IAE, Dr. Arsen Bobokhyan, who reported that 30 archaeological sites across Armenia were excavated and studied during the 2024 reporting year. These sites span a broad chronological range—from the prehistoric period to the late Middle Ages—and the results have significantly contributed to the discovery, understanding, and popularization of Armenia’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Dr. Bobokhyan also highlighted the wide scope of international collaboration, with partnerships extending from the United States to Japan, reflecting growing global interest in Armenia’s archaeological legacy. The first speaker, participating remotely, was Kristine Martirosyan-Olshansky of the University of California, Los Angeles (USA). She presented the findings from the 2024 excavations at the Masis Blur archaeological site, carried out under the direction of Pavel Avetisyan, Scientific Director of the Institute and Corresponding Member of the NAS RA. Following her, archaeologist Boris Gasparyan presented the results of the 2024 excavations at the Lernagog-1 site in the Armavir region. Eight additional presentations were scheduled for the day. The sessions will continue on March 27 and 28 at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography (Charents Street 15).
2025-03-26
Lecture: "Modern Tools of Folklore Collection: The Folklorist in the Field and on the Internet"
On March 20, a lecture entitled "Modern Tools of Folklore Collection: The Folklorist in the Field and on the Internet" was held as part of the "Folkloristic Discussions" at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. During the lecture, the issue of combining traditional folklore collection methods with modern technologies was discussed. The presentation covered what can be considered modern folklore, how this material can be recorded, and what its research can reveal. Folklorist and Ph.D. in Philology, Nvard Vardanyan, speaking about the traditional approach, noted that it still remains a phenomenon with a greater impact. However, she also emphasized the importance of the new approach to folklore collection—the study of the Internet domain as an innovative and modern platform for the dissemination of various materials. The discussion addressed the complications that may arise on the Internet regarding data verification, source validation, and information integration. The participants also discussed the importance of preserving traditional methods to ensure that the field does not lose its character. In the second part of the seminar, a lively discussion took place on the refinement of terms, their creation, and development within the Armenian context. It was emphasized that the development of science does not necessarily have to follow a mechanical copying of foreign models. Instead, it is essential to utilize the vast knowledge and skills that have been developed in our own reality, while also comparing them to the achievements of international science.
2025-03-20
