Her Side of History
Lerna Ekmekcioglu brings Armenian womenís voices out of the shadows
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May 31, 2013
Newest Edition of “Armenia And Karabakh” Travel Guide Presented at AGBU
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Matthew Karanian presents “Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Mountain Travel Guide” at the AGBU Central Office in New York. -
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Matthew Karanian signs copies of the latest edition of the traveler’s indispensable companion. -
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Representatives of the host organizations pose with Karanian.
NEW YORK, NY - Armenia and Karabakh have a lot of fascinating sights and memorable experiences to offer to the traveler. Yet, rewards such as getting to the Gandzasar Monastery in Karabakh or tasting the wines at Areni call for the ultimate guide. The third edition of Matthew Karanian’s and Robert Kurkjian’s “Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Mountain Travel Guide,” the traveler’s indispensable companion, was presented at the AGBU Central Office in New York on May 9, 2013.
“This new book is a testament to the culmination of nearly two decades of efforts by Matt and Robert, who have each lived, worked and traveled to Armenia and Karabakh,” said Elizabeth Akian in her introductory remarks on behalf of the Armenian Network-NY Region and fellow cohosts of the event – the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York, the NY Armenian Students Association, and the Zohrab Center.
Taking the stand, Karanian, a lawyer by profession, described how a trip to Armenia in 1995 to teach at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan “turned him upside down.” Even in those challenging days, when the homeland was still reeling from the effects of the Karabakh war and a crippling embargo by Turkey, his “dormant Armenian gene” reactivated, helping him “discover a vibrant country” and “looking for reasons to go back.” In his slide presentation, Karanian showed photos of everything from old churches and Mt. Ararat to life in today’s Armenia, with young revelers and shepherds wielding mobile phones. “For all the country’s sights and natural beauty,” Karanian said, “it is the people who remain the biggest allure to visit the country.”
The book, recognized as the most comprehensive guide for Armenia and Karabakh, is now updated to include new places for travelers to discover, as well as the constantly growing array of accommodations for all budgets and tastes. Improving infrastructure has reduced travel times to previously remote destinations, including the Tatev Monastery, now linked up with a state-of-the-art cable car, which has dramatically eased access to this gem of Armenian medieval architecture.
A Q & A session followed the presentation, after which Karanian signed copies of the book and light refreshments were served.
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