The Moscow and Kars Treaties, which proved fateful for Armenia and resulted in the seizure of strategically important territories from the Armenian people, have been widely discussed in recent decades, with particular emphasis on the injustice and illegality of these documents from the perspective of international law. Under these treaties, Nakhichevan was illegally placed under the protection of Azerbaijan, and Baku is currently taking unilateral steps to change the status of this autonomous republic, in violation of the Moscow and Kars Treaties still in force. The article examines Turkey’s diplomatic efforts to transfer Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan, which were based on the pan-Turkic goals of the Turkish authorities, as well as the consistent policy of the Azerbaijani authorities aimed at the de-Armenization of the autonomous republic. The domestic and foreign policy motives of the Azerbaijani authorities for changing the status of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic are also analyzed. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate the illegality of the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities in unilaterally changing the status of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic from the standpoint of international treaty law, as well as to indicate the possible political and legal consequences of violating the provisions of the Moscow and Kars Treaties regarding the status of Nakhichevan.

KeywordsNakhichevan status of autonomous republic Moscow and Kars Treaties Armenia Azerbaijan Turkey Pan-Turanian project

This article examines the institution of lobbying in the United States, presenting its historical development, regulatory framework, and empirical scope, with the aim of drawing lessons for the Republic of Armenia. In the U.S. context, lobbying has evolved into a significant economic and political sector, creating both democratic opportunities and risks of corruption. By contrast, Armenia lacks a comprehensive legal framework for lobbying, despite pressing anti-corruption imperatives. The article argues that Armenia could benefit from adapting elements of the American model – particularly transparency, registration, public access, and oversight – while tailoring these mechanisms to its local institutional context and democratic needs. The study concludes by offering recommendations to Armenia’s emerging reform agenda․

KeywordsLobbying USA anti-corruption policy lobbying groups Armenian diaspora lobbying organizations in the U.S. Republic of Armenia lobbying oversight.

The formation and development of the educational systems of Armenian communities in the Middle East were shaped not only by pedagogical needs but also by the imperative to preserve and strengthen national, religious, and cultural identity. The educational life of these communities was largely guided by church structures. Preschools functioned under the auspices of various churches, including the Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical denominations. Armenian Evangelical educational institutions in the Middle East, established particularly in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide, were distinguished by their religious and national orientations. In these schools, alongside instruction in the Holy Scripture, considerable attention was devoted to teaching the Armenian language, literature, and history; conducting prayers in the native language; and providing foreign-language education, which enabled students to pursue higher studies. Many Evangelical schools operated under missionary auspices, through which support was provided for improving buildings and material-technical conditions. Special emphasis was also placed on the education of girls, ensuring their equal participation in the learning process.

KeywordsArmenian Evangelical Association church Middle East American missionaries education colleges schools

This study examines the development of the Armenian diaspora in the Czech Republic, based on narrative-biographical interviews with members of the first migration generation. It highlights how identity and memory are shaped and transmitted in a diasporic context. Although small in number, the Armenian community represents a distinct case of post-Soviet migration and cultural continuity. The study explores key historical triggers – such as the Armenian Genocide, the 1988 Spitak earthquake, and the collapse of the USSR – and their impact on migration trajectories and collective memory. Using a narrative approach and framed by theories of transnationalism and diasporic identity, the research shows how migrants negotiate between cultures and generations. It also reveals the symbolic role of language, family, and everyday practices in maintaining a sense of belonging.

KeywordsUS-Georgia relations Russo-Georgian War NATO South Caucasus regional security strategic partnership Armenia’s national interests

This article examines the development and re-evaluation of US-Georgia relations in the context of the 2008–2009 five-day Russo-Georgian War, revealing the real boundaries of Washington’s policy and its influence on the geopolitical environment of the South Caucasus. The article analyzes the internal political developments during the first years of Mikheil Saakashvili’s second presidential term, Georgia’s aspirations for NATO membership, and the nature of US diplomatic, political, and financial support before and after the war. The article demonstrates that despite clear US statements on supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration, this support did not translate into military guarantees, which became evident during the five-day Russo-Georgian War. Special attention is paid to the re-evaluation of Georgia’s prospects for NATO membership, the political consequences of the Bucharest Summit, and Washington’s response during the August 2008 military operations. After the war, relations took on a more institutionalized form with the signing of the Strategic Cooperation Charter in 2009, but the reduced US interest in the region under the Obama administration posed new challenges. The article also offers important conclusions from the perspective of the national security of the Republic of Armenia and regional stability.

KeywordsUS-Georgia relations Russo-Georgian War NATO South Caucasus regional security strategic partnership Armenia’s national interests

The first period of Archbishop Gevorg Chorekchyan's tenure (1921–1927) coincided with the most difficult years for the diocese of Georgian Armenians. The head of the diocese spared no effort or energy in maintaining the effective functioning of the diocese. He approached the resolution of any issues with great zeal and willingness. Chorekchyan intended to convene a church council of representatives from the diocese of Georgian Armenians, where matters of church decoration, as well as many issues concerning clergy, were to be discussed, aiming to more closely connect the faithful people with their native church. In 1927, Archbishop Gevorg Chorekchyan returned to the Mother See of Etchmiadzin and was elected a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

KeywordsArchbishop Gevorg Chorekchyan diocese of Armenians in Georgia Georgia Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Supreme Spiritual Council church monastery

Arpiar Arpiaryan’s journalistic and publicistic activity is closely aligned with the ideological orientation of “Mshak”. It is therefore not coincidental that he joined the newspaper at the invitation of Grigor Artsruni and upon the recommendation of Mkrtich Portugalyan. Following Svachyan and Nalbandyan, Arpiaryan emerged as a crucial mediating figure between the Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian intelligentsia. Arpiaryan was the first to provide a comprehensive and systematic account of the activities of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Armenian National Assembly.

KeywordsArpiar Arpiaryan; “Haykak”; “Mshak”; Armenian Question; Armenian reforms; national self-help; educational societies

Even before Vahan Teryan, and more precisely, before 1914 when his lecture “The Coming Day of Armenian Literature” — a valuable manifesto — was delivered and subsequently published many times, Armenian literary criticism had already achieved serious success in the persons of Khachatur Abovyan, Mikael Nalbandyan, Hovhannes Tumanyan, Nikol Aghbalyan, and other great figures of ours. V. Teryan received a brilliant education in Moscow. After graduating from the Lazaryan Seminary, he studied at Moscow University, and later — for a short time — at Petersburg University.

KeywordsVahan Teryan literary critic H. Tumanyan Av. Isahakyan innovator European progress perfection of language

Raffi is one of the greatest Armenian writers, whose works reflected the spiritual quests of our people, its political goals and historical vicissitudes, love of freedom and patriotism. At present, the supporters of globalism criticize its concepts of ideological struggle, liberation from foreign yoke, education of national identity, the national image itself under the pretext that its views on the world and the universe do not correspond to the modern principles of freedom and democracy. The article shows that all the accusations against Raffi amount to the destruction of the Armenian national identity, the assertion of cosmopolitanism, subordination of spiritual life to the dictates of Western ideology, which ultimately amounts to the “dismantling” of the Armenian people. The author also draws attention to the peculiarities of the prose writer's artistic skill, which were later embodied also in the works of classics of Russian and Western literature of the XIX–XX centuries.

KeywordsRaffi globalism patriotism democracy national identity national dignity classical literature

The contribution of St. Gregory of Narek (ca. 950–1003) to the corpus of world spirituality during the Middle Ages has been the subject of underestimation, particularly by Western authors and sources. In the contemporary era, Gregory of Narekʼs oeuvre, along with its dissemination and re-evaluation in the West, is regarded through the lens of literary schools, interpretations, and modern translations. Of particular significance is his canonization by the Catholic Church. Gregory of Narek is recognized as an exceptional chronicler of poetic art from the School of Narek and as a developer of its literary traditions. This article will focus on the theoretical and creative connections between the School of Narek and the School of Cilicia, which enabled chroniclers of the Cilician school to restore and rediscover Gregory of Narek’s literary legacy. The commentaries on the Book of Lamentation, in particular, have contributed to a more profound understanding of St. Gregory of Narek’s ecclesiastical and spiritual-poetic works, thereby facilitating comprehension for Western scholars and translators. The dissemination of St. Gregory of Narek’s oeuvre in the West has been significantly facilitated by the efforts of French, Russian, English, Italian, and other translators. On April 12, 2015, Pope Francis I formally designated Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Universal Church. This formal acknowledgement by the Catholic Church signifies a pivotal development, propelling heightened interest and closer examination of Gregory of Narek’s contributions within the Western academic and cultural landscape. It also heralds a renewed scholarly focus on the universal, human, and enduring significance of St. Gregory of Narek.

KeywordsSt. Gregory of Narek Book of Lamentation School of Narek School of Cilicia canonization poetic art universal key

The Catholicos of All Armenians, Saint Nerses the Gracious (c. 1100–1173), engaged in prolific activities across ecclesiastical, cultural, political, literary, scientific, and educational fields. Through his diverse works, he contributed significantly to the advancement of Armenian literature, particularly its poetic tradition. The hallmark of his genius is evident in nearly all medieval liturgical manuscripts, which he refined as a theologian, doctrinal scholar, exegete, liturgist, philosopher, and artist. His spiritually oriented writings and hymns elevated Armenian medieval art to a new, higher level, enriching both literature and music. Moreover, Nerses the Gracious contributed to the development of the text of the Divine Liturgy and the Armenian Missal, or “Advice Book,” which originated in the Apostolic period and was completed in the 10th century. Over the centuries, it was mainly enriched by the works of Gregory the Illuminator, Sahak Partev, Hovhannes Mandakuni, and Gregory of Narek, and in the 11th century, further developed through the efforts of Nerses the Gracious. Of particular significance is the Catholicos’ contribution to the liturgy, as many of his prayers, exhortations, and songs were incorporated into it. In this way, Nerses also refreshed and enriched their content. Since ancient times, notions of morality and religious rites and ceremonies have played an important role in maintaining human relationships within certain permissible boundaries. Christianity, in turn, initiated a radical transformation in the field of moral understanding, a development pursued by many fathers of the Armenian and universal Church. Nerses the Gracious occupied a distinct place among them. In the vast literary heritage of this multifaceted figure, these influences are clearly reflected through his moral-educational and ethical perspectives, which constitute the central focus of the present study.

KeywordsNerses Shnorhali works ecclesiastical literature theological struggle didactic approach multitalented achievements pan-Christian principles humanistic outlook

This article examines the artistic interactions between Armenian filmmaker Sergey Parajanov (1924–1990) and Georgian photographer Yuri Mechitov (b. 1950), focusing on their collaborative experiments in photography and collage during the late 1970s–1980s. While Parajanov is internationally recognized for his films, particularly The Color of Pomegranates, this study highlights his creative partnership with Mechitov, whose portraits and documentary photographs reveal new aspects of the director’s artistic persona. Drawing on interviews, memoirs, and photographic archives, the paper analyzes how Parajanov staged his image before Mechitov’s camera, turning everyday gestures into visual allegories. Special attention is given to how Mechitov’s photographs became sources for Parajanov’s collages, where single images were transformed into layered works of visual poetry. The discussion shows how Mechitov’s documentary practice intersected with Parajanov’s surrealist sensibilities, creates a corpus that transcends the boundaries between cinema, photography, and visual art. By examining these collages, the article shows that Parajanov emerges as a versatile artist whose creative range extended beyond cinema to include collage, photography, painting, and other forms of expression. The study presents only one example of these facets, underscoring the multidimensional nature of his artistic identity.

KeywordsSergey Parajanov Yuri Mechitov film Armenian filmmaker photography collage visual art

Hmayak Hakobyan (1871–1939), as a representative of Armenian realist painting at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries, devoted a special place in his oeuvre to the subgenre of the self-portrait. The artist’s six self-portraits (painting and drawing), preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Armenia, serve as a unique key for revealing the stylistic characteristics of his works and the impact of the dramatic events of the period on his inner world. This article aims to study Hakobyan’s self-portraits through chronological and comparative analysis, highlighting his application of the principles of academic realism and his progression from the depiction of external likeness to psychological self-examination. For Hmayak Hakobyan, the self-portrait is a means of deeply analyzing his own image and revealing his worldview through art, even serving as a kind of diary that reflects human psychological states and stages of life. The artist’s self-portraits represent not only his personal journey but also his emotional world and creative explorations. The painter remains consistently faithful to the artistic principles of classical realism, employing a restrained yet harmonious palette of brown, chestnut, black, white, and gray tones. His self-portraits are executed with high technical skill, perfect masterly, and adherence to academic principles, characteristic of realist painting. They clearly convey the artist’s mood, inner world, and way of thinking. Drawing on the traditions of Russian realism (Repin) and European masters (Rembrandt), the painter elevated the self-portrait from a mere image to a philosophical exploration of the human soul. This approach brought a new depth and vitality to Armenian realism. Hakobyan’s art is free from Dürer’s symbolism, yet it is imbued with a pursuit of self-observation and physical precision.

Keywordsself-portrait Hmayak Hakobyan realist principles self-expression drawing painting self-examination