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Three Generations
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Noraduz Khachkars and Three Generations
Three generations of ladies from Noraduz village in Armenia. The nana (armenian word for the grandmother) drew herself just at the last moment behind the stone. Thus she offered a very dramatic profile, telling much silently behind the cross stone (khachkar)
from wikipedia:
Khachkars ("Խաչքար" in Armenian, literally meaning "cross-stone") are a uniquely Armenian form of art, which evolved into incredibly ornate form which reached its peak in the 12-13th centuries.
Perhaps some of the most intricate known Khachkars were designed by the great architect Momik. He also is credited with the design of the Areni Church and Noravank Monastery.
Khachkars are most commonly used as tombstones, but were sometimes used as memorials. The biggest khachkar cemetery in Armenia is the Noratus Cemetery, while the biggest in the world is in Jugha, in Nakhichevan.
Most khachkars do not depict Christ on the cross, but a few notable exception except. Most khachkars fall under the basic definition of a cross carved onto a stone. A few of the highly detailed and elaborate khachkars are called "lacework" khachkars. Khachkars which are freestanding crosses are called tevavor or "with arms" khachkars. Finally there are some examples of totem-pole style khachkars. The cross is usually the standard Armenian cross with two triple-loops on each arm of the cross, but can be simpler or vary.
Noratus (Arm: Նորադուզ)
Exiting E at a somewhat over-engineered cloverleaf intersection leads one toward Lake Sevan and the ancient village of Noratus* or Noraduz (5465 p). Turning right at the first street past the bridge leads to the S edge of town and S. Grigor Lusavorich church/Daputs Monastery of the 9-10th c., rebuilt by the 11th c architect Khachatur. Continuing straight into the center of village, the second left leads to the ruined S. Astvatsatsin church, a basilica built by Prince Sahak at the end of the 9th c., probably on earlier foundations. Outside the W door are intriguing carved grave monuments. On the E edge of town is a huge medieval-modern cemetery with an impressive array of early khachkars* =70= (40 22.40n x 045 11.05e), the largest such collection of khachkars in Armenia, as well as evocative modern funerary statuary. Continuing up the bare, windswept hillside beyond, there is a smaller cluster of khachkars around a medieval funeral chapel. Two km E of Noratus on the top of a hill is the Heghi Dar cyclopean fortress with a large tomb and two big inhabited caves. On a promontory N of Noratus is a large, well-maintained forest of antenna masts, ostensibly belonging to Armentel. A couple of km S of Noradus, near the former village of Artsvakar (formerly Ghshlakh, now a suburb of Gavar), are the Early Iron Age cyclopean fortresses of Ghslakh (near the lake), Zhami Dar (just W of Artsvakar) and Mrtbi Dzor (S of Zhami Dar). |
khent, Angshu, JanD has marked this note useful
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- khent (13)
- [2007-09-07 11:35]
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Interesting picture Sayat. With Khachkar in the foreground I was actually thinking the picture represents more than three generations. I was also thinking it represents continuity--from past to present and to the future.
Three generations! Cool! :) I know you were trying to include the whole monument, but I thought the people were more important than the monument, so I did a workshop to see what would happen. Hope you like it.
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- Angshu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4944 W: 169 N: 7603]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(24844) - [2007-09-08 21:47]
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Dear Sayat
Interesting post...three generations...a pity that we can't see the eldest person's face...but doesn't matter much. The Khachkar seems to be a very good fulcrum around which the 3 generations present themselves. Looks good in side profile. Superb notes which I enjoyed reading!
Regards
Angshu
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- JanD
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 219]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(6011) - [2007-09-27 12:17]
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Hi! Wonderful concept. Wonderful composition. Excellent effect. Best regards!
![Silver Note Writer [C: 9 W: 1 N: 10]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}