This is a 15 minute collage of images putting Artsakh history and culture over almost 3,000 years into a regional and global context. The last one third has images from the 25 years to 2016 covering globalisation, geopolitics, trade relations and other forces of change. For ease of understanding below are 10 passages and themes in the video supported by the images of maps, artefacts, architecture, illustrations, cartoons, graphics and photos. 1. The first mention by the Urartu ruler, Sarduri II (reign 764-735 BC) of the region we now know as Artsakh or Nagorno-Karabagh. 2. The reference to "Urartu" in the "oldest map of the world", an Akkadian language Babylonian map held in the British Museum from c. 500 BC. 3. Establishment of the city of Tigranakert in Artsakh, founded 83-87 BC, by the Artaxiad Royal House. This was during the period of reign, 95 to 55 BC, of Tigranes II, aka Tigranes the Great. 4. Incorporation of Artsakh within the Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia in the early middle ages, 880s to 1045 AD. 5. Witnessing invasions - by Seljuqs, 11th and 12th century; the Mongols Empire, 13th century; Safavid Empire, 17th century; Qajar Dynasty, 18th century; Russian Empire, 19th century; Sovietisation in the 20th century and self-determination in the 25 years to 2016. 6. The 20th and 21st century rivalry affecting Artsakh between the forces of modern empires and nation-states - Ottomans, Young Turks, British, French, Russians, Soviets, Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan. 7. The role of documents and international resolutions including the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, the King-Crange Commission recommendations of 1919, and the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Look out for the passport issued in 1919 for Zabel Yesayan (1878-1943). She attended the Paris Peace Conference, issued by the Democratic Republic of Armenia of 1918-1920. 8. Heritage destruction such as the renaming of regions by Turkey after 1915 and the elimination of all kachkars (cross stones) from the millennium-old valleys and hills of Julfa in Nekhchivan. 9. Contemporary and future cultural and language issues for cultures in the region arising from increasing globalisation and other forces of change. 10. The formation of new nation-state visions and Silk Road routes (largely supported by China) while age-old issues of self-determination and territorial integrity work their way into new realignments. The images are from various sources. The first piece of music is by Arno Babajanyan. The two pieces are Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1949) are Six Pictures for Piano (played by Olga Volchkova (1946-1984)). The end piece is the singer Sirusho in the song released in 2015 titled Where Were You (Սիրուշո - Կգա մի օր).

Comments