Upon visiting Armenia, you’ll get the opportunity to immerse yourself in its centuries-old traditions and customs. You’ll also get the chance to learn about the country’s colorful history and witness its spectacular natural beauty. The locals here are extremely friendly and hospitable. 

They’ll do their best to make you feel welcomed in their beloved land. You’ll have lots of things to do in Armenia if you spend at least a week in this country. Here are some of the places you must explore while touring this country:

1. Yerevan

This is the capital city of Armenia. Yerevan is a beautiful city, famous for its brilliant architecture and a centuries-old history. If the cuneiform inscription of Urartian King Argishti is to be believed, the city was built in 782 BC. This shows that the Armenian capital is older than Rome. If you’re exploring Yerevan for the first time, don’t forget to visit the city center. 

It is well-known for its architectural masterpieces, restaurants, cafes, and parks. At heart of Yerevan is Republic Square, which was designed by the famed Armenian architect, Alexander Tamanyan in 1924. This square has many important buildings around it, such as the History Museum of Armenia. 

2. Tatev Monastery

It would take four hours for you to reach the Tatev Monastery from Yerevan by car. Nevertheless, it would really be worth the effort. A visit to Tatev is highly recommended for tourists visiting Armenia. It is a majestic structure built during the 9th century. It is surrounded by some splendid mountainous landscapes and is located on the edge of a deep gorge. 

You can get to this monastery by taking the cable car. It has found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest in the world. Upon taking the cable car, you’ll be gliding over the deep gorge for almost 20 minutes. You’ll certainly enjoy the enchanting scenery on the way.

3. Lake Sevan

About 66 kilometers north-east of Yerevan is the charming Lake Sevan. It is because of this lake that the town of Sevan gained immense popularity. The lake is visited by plenty of tourists as well as locals, especially during the summer season. Lake Sevan is also considered one of the world’s highest lakes. It is situated at an altitude of 1,900 meters. 

At certain times, it would appear as if the azure waters of this lake are touching the sky. The beauty of this lake has earned it the nickname ‘the pearl of Armenian nature’. During your visit to this lake, you can enjoy a barbecue, a yacht cruise, or a catamaran trip. You can also choose to simply relax and take in the pleasant scenery.

4. Vagharshapat

Between 1945 and 1995, the official name of this city was Etchmiadzin. It is located at a distance of about 20 kilometers from Yerevan. It would take you about 30 minutes to reach this city by car from the Armenian capital. Your tour of Armenia won’t be complete without a visit to Vagharshapat. 

The country was the first to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built to commemorate this event. Constructed on the site of an ancient temple, the cathedral is the religious center of the people of Armenia.

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You can also choose to visit some of its casino establishments to play some exciting games. There are about eight casinos in the country that have become extremely popular over the years. Some of these establishments are Pharaoh, Senator, Flamingo, and Shangri La. Players get to choose from a range of offerings in gambling and top-quality services in each of these casinos. 

If you’re not in the mood to travel to these casino establishments, you always have the option of online casinos. There are some excellent casino review websites that would help you choose the best casinos to place your bets. Some of them also have a range of exciting online casino games that you can try for free! One such site is Casinos Jungle. To know more about this website, visit www.casinosjungle.com

Now, let’s explore some of the best casinos of Armenia.

Shangri La Yerevan

This is among the most modern gambling establishments in Armenia. For entering this casino, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee. The pass for entering the casino is given only to the individuals who are over 21 years old. The value of the entrance fee is not just for the ticket. 

The pass can be exchanged for chips, which is then used for playing. There are several gambling halls and a CW club for VIP players in this casino. It also has an exquisite restaurant called Michelangelo Launch. Several lotteries and tournaments are hosted regularly in Shangri La Yerevan. 

This gives its guests the chance to win some attractive cash prizes. The casino also has a system of club cards. It gives the cardholders the right to some additional services. This establishment is located on the 10-kilometer Yerevan-Sevan highway. It is one of the most picturesque places in the country. 

Shangri La Yerevan also has a parking lot that can accommodate up to 100 cars. So, if you’re visiting this magnificent casino, there’s no need to worry about parking your vehicle. You can get to the casino by taking a taxi. If you prefer, you can use the services of the casino establishment and go for a gaming tour. 

Upon booking this tour, you’ll get free transportation to the casino. It also covers the expenses for your flight and visa if you’re traveling to Armenia from another country. You can also get a free hotel room, VIP services, a 10% daily return of losses, and much more.

Other casinos in Armenia

A gaming tour of the casino is also offered by Sun Palace. This is one of the most fabulous gambling establishments in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. In this casino, you can have loads of fun playing games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and video poker. 

Besides these games, there are more than 100 slot machines in this casino. There’s also a VIP room in this casino for privileged players. All the winnings received in this casino are paid by the administration of the casino establishment. You can also chose your currency, such as Rubles and Euro. A security escort may also be provided. Additionally, you can also go for a guided walk through Yerevan and a tour of Lake Sevan. 

Another fantastic casino is the ‘Senator’ casino, which is located on the border of Tairov and Argavanda. This casino establishments offers you a wide range of choices in entertainment. It has gambling halls, a bar, and places for recreation. In recent times, a new restaurant has also commenced its operations in Senator. You can enjoy some delicious treats from the Armenian, Russian, and Iranian cuisine in this restaurant.

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So, the construction-related activities in Armenia were carried out taking this fact into consideration. The local architects adapted well to the harsh landscape, creating some fabulous structures from stone. Buildings in the country are thick-walled and low-slung with regards to design. This is particularly true in case of religious sites, such as monasteries and churches. 

Such structures were built to last for many centuries. The stones used in the construction of these structures were quarried on site. It was done with the intention of blending the structure seamlessly with its surroundings. At times, the construction required the use of stones with different colors. 

In such situations, they were arranged often in checkerboard or striped pattern. Residential buildings were usually constructed using materials that were less durable. Despite this, quite a few of these structures have stood the test of time and survive to this day. 

Pre-Christian era

Many years before the arrival of Christianity, the Armenian architecture had some distinctive features. Remains of the Urartian architecture can be seen at Erebuni Fortress. It was constructed during the reign of the Urartian King Argishti I in 782 BC. Travelers can also visit the Temple of Garni, which was constructed in the 1st century in the Hellenistic style. 

The surviving caravanserais are also worth visiting during a trip to Armenia. They were used as places of lodging by the merchants and travelers. They made their journeys through the country along the Silk Road.

Architecture in Christian Armenia

The earliest churches in this country were built during the period between the 4th and 7th centuries. Construction of these churches began when Armenia converted to Christianity. The construction ended with the invasion of Arabs. 

The early churches in the country were simple basilicas, but a few of them also had side apses. By the 5th century, the typical central cupola cone had become standard. More complex architectural styles of the Armenian Apostolic Church had formed by the 7th century.

Bagratid Dynasty

From the 9th to the 11th century, Armenia was ruled by the Bagratid Dynasty. This period was characterized by the revival of the Armenian church architecture. Some ornately carved cross-stone khachkars were developed in the Armenian style during this period. These stryctures remain symbolic of the country even today. 

During the reign of the Bagratid Dynasty, the first large monasteries were built, including the Haghpat Monastery. Under the Zakarid Dynasty from the 12th to the 14th century, another period of growth was witnessed. Unfortunately, much destruction took place during the invasion of Tamerlane, which greatly hindered the architectural progress.

Russian contribution

In the 19th century, the Armenian architecture experienced new advancements with the arrival of the Russians. Most notable was the construction of many pink and black tuff masterpieces in Gyumri and Yerevan. The mastermind of several church and civil buildings in the country was Baghdasar Arzoumanian. He was one of the 20th century’s most prolific architects. 

Erebuni Museum, the City Hall of Vanadzor, and David of Sassoun metro station are among his most prominent works. Alexander Tamanyan is another legendary figure in the modern Armenian architecture. He drafted the first design of modern Yerevan. This renowned architect was also instrumental in transforming Yerevan into the thriving capital of Armenia.

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The Armenian folklore has been preserved in the form of proverbs, fairy tales, folk songs, epics, riddles, and legends. Many of them are rooted in the culture of pre-Christian Armenia. The folklore of this country were written down after the invention of the Armenian alphabet. Several gifted authors such as Sebeos, Movses Khorenatsi, Agathangelos, and Anania Shirakatsi influenced the modern Armenian culture. 

In its earliest period, the Armenian folklore incorporated the Anatolian, Mesopotamian, Roman, and other major philosophies. Gods and creatures associated with nature were worshipped in pre-Christian Armenia. Most notable among them were Areg, Astlik, and Vanatur. They were the personifications of the Sun, fertility, and hospitality respectively.

The Persian influence

When the Persians took over Armenia during the 1st millennium BC, Zoroastrianism began influencing the Armenian culture heavily. Aramazd, a derivative of the Zoroastrian god, Ahura Mazda, became the supreme god of Armenia. With Vahagn, the god of fire and thunder, and Anahit, the goddess of fertility, a powerful triad was formed. 

Many of such deities became associated with the gods of Greece during the Hellenistic period. So, Aramazd became Zeus, Vahagn transformed into Hercules, and Anahit became Artemis. The folklore of Armenia included several mythical spirits and monsters. Most notable among them were vishaps, the dragon-like water spirits. 

They were believed to have inhabited Mount Ararat and created storms while moving between the sky and the earth. Ancient Armenians believed that the vishaps lived around the water sources like ponds in large groups. Their depictions were carved from a single stone slab into various forms, such as serpent heads or fish.

Folklore in Christian Armenia

After Christianity was formally adopted in Armenia during the 4th century, the ancient mythology was modified. This was to make it palatable with the Christian beliefs. The Biblical characters assumed the functions that were performed by the mythological gods and spirits. For example, John the Baptist inherited the traits that were earlier attributed to Tir and Vahagn. 

The Armenian legends also introduced many monarchs and heroes after the adoption of Christianity. Some of them were simply carried forward from the mythologies of the pre-Christian era. It was during this period that the Armenians got Hayk. He was believed to be the legendary patriarch of the Armenian people and the great-grandson of Noah. Many epics had played a central role in the folklore of Armenia. 

However, none of them is as popular as the ‘Daredevils of Sassoun’. This is an 8th-century oral tale of ‘David of Sassoun’ and his fight against the Arabs. It was first converted to the written form by Garegin Srvandztiants in 1873. In the year 1902, Hovhannes Tumanyan wrote a poem of the same name. 

He was a prominent Armenian author. In the poem, he recounted the story of David of Sassoun in a modern language. Although it covers only one act in the poem, the character’s popularity named the poem as such. Arman Manaryan, a famed director, produced an animated film called Sasna Tsrer in 2010. 

In this film, the first three cycles of Daredevils of Sassoun have been illustrated. Two years later, this popular epic was added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.

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This is the reason why many great empires sought to capture its fertile land. The never-ending conquests and the troubled 20th century forced the Armenians to move away from their own land. Today, about 7 million Armenians are living in different parts of the world. This number is more than the population of modern Armenia. 

You can find the Armenian people in the United States, Russia, Ukraine, France, Georgia, and Lebanon. Owing to their cultural interactions with these countries, the Armenians left had a considerable influence on the global heritage. Here, we present some interesting facts about the Armenian culture, which would surely surprise you.

1. Lady Gaga and Madonna were inspired by Armenian cinematography

The Armenian director, Sergei Parajanov, created a visual biography of Sayat-Nova in 1969. He was an 18th-century poet of Armenian descent. The biography was called ‘The Color of Pomegranates’. It focused on images, music, and sounds and used little dialogue. 

Although this film was unknown to the masses, it became an inspiration for many artists. In the year 1995, Madonna re-staged many scenes from this film in her music video titled Bedtime Story. The video clip titled ‘911’ released by Lady Gaga in September 2020 was also inspired by this film.

2. Armenian brandy is loved worldwide

The distilling tradition of Armenia is among the oldest in the world. It is, therefore, reflected in the quality of drinks made in the country. Nikolav Shustov, a producer of Armenian brandy, won in blind judging in 1900 at the Universal Expo of Paris. He was awarded the right to legally call his product cognac by the jury. Unfortunately, the Armenians lost this privilege after the Second World War. 

It is said that Winston Churchill drank the Armenian brandy with great delight. It was offered to him by Joseph Stalin during the Yalta Conference. Stalin had later arranged for 400 bottles to be shipped to Churchill every year. It is also said that Armenian brandy was a favorite of Frank Sinatra and Agatha Christie.

3. Armenian paintings are featured on many postage stamps

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, also known as Hovhannes Aivazian, was a Russian painter. He was born into an Armenian family that lived in Crimea. Aivazovsky was famous within the Russian Empire and had his works exhibited in Europe and the United States. 

He had created around 6,000 paintings during his artistic career. In recent times, his marine art appears frequently on many postage stamps. They are found worldwide, even in countries like Niger, Moldova, Mozambique, and Ukraine.

4. Chess is an inseparable part of Armenia’s education and culture

The immensely talented Andre Agassi is arguably the most influential Armenian in sports. He was born to Armenian-American parents. You’ll be surprised to know that tennis is not the sport Armenians are truly good at. In fact, the sport they are extremely good at is chess. Since 2011, chess has been a compulsory subject in the schools of Armenia. 

It is taught from the second till the fourth grades. On the international chess scene, many Armenians have successfully competed. Among them are Vladimir Akopian and Levon Aronian. Garry Kasparov, the legendary chess grandmaster, is also of an Armenian origin.

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There are Hellenistic temples in the country that have their own unique designs. They compete with monasteries that reflect the ones constructed in Georgia. You’ll also come across beautiful handwoven carpets in this part of the world. They resemble those found in Turkey and Iran, but are distinctly Armenian. The people of Armenia were known to Persians as Armina and as Armenioi to the Greeks. 

However, the Armenians call themselves Hayq and their country Hayastan. The name comes from the name ‘Hayk’. He was a legendary hero believed to be the descendant of Noah. The Armenian customs have been shaped through tears and blood, which is why the Armenians don’t take them lightly. Owing to the invasion of larger and more powerful kingdoms, the Armenian highlands have always been troubled. 

The traces of Persian, Byzantine, Arab, Mongol, and Turkish cultures reminds one of its oppressive past. Even after so many assaults, the Armenians have managed to preserve their heritage and strengthen their values and resolve.

Armenian music

Diverse religious and secular genres are covered in Armenian music. They’ve been present since the ancient times. Interestingly, the Armenian music was historically the domain of storytellers and professional folk actors. With the arrival of Christianity, the traditional music of Armenia began to shift from the secular to the sacred. Visitors would hear Armenian music in all corners of the country today. 

The churches, restaurants, and concert halls come alive with ancient chants even today. Accompanying them are duduk, kamancha, and saz. They are the national instruments of Armenia. Even if the Armenians are proud of their heritage, they have also adapted to modern expressions of music.

Armenian architecture

This country has been nicknamed ‘country of stones’ and it pretty much sums up the Armenian architecture. Most of the land in the country comprises rugged mountain landscapes, sharp peaks, and rocky slopes. The local architects adapted to the environment, as Armenia is surrounded by a harsh landscape prone to earthquakes. 

Elaborate stone constructions can be seen throughout the country today. Churches and monasteries were especially built to last for many centuries and blend with their environment seamlessly. Although the nation is best known for its Christian buildings, Hellenistic temples are also a part of the landscape. 

New advancements in the Armenian architecture were introduced when Russians arrived in the 19th century. The most notable aspect was the construction of black and pink tuff.

Armenian theater

The first known theater was built in Armenia under Tigran the Great in 69 BC. Although multiple conquests didn’t allow the local theater to flourish, the love for theater never diminished. This paved the way for satire, mimes, and sophisticated epics that later defined the Armenian theater. An intense growth in theater was witnessed during the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Culture and drama groups traveled to distant places. Armenian theaters were opened in Kiev, Moscow, and other major cities. The theaters established in Yerevan by prominent playwrights were extremely popular for their productions. They included local, European, and American plays. More than 20 state and private theaters still exists in the capital city of Yerevan.

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Some of them were successful in escaping to the United States, while some stayed in Turkey. A few others took refuge in the Soviet Union. Now, let’s take a look at some of the powerful books that talk about the horrors of the Armenian Genocide:

1. My Grandmother by Fethiye Celin

When this book came out in the year 2004, it caused some stir in Turkey. The reason was that the Turks were confronted with the dead and living Armenians. It had an extraordinary story that broke the taboo almost overnight in the country. Many people in Turkey had Armenian grandparents who had survived as children from the barbaric deportations of 1915. 

Later, the had been absorbed into the Turkish society. The author tells the tale of how her grandmother suddenly revealed the truth when she was in her mid-sixties. She wasn’t the Turkish lady, Seher, who her granddaughter believed to be. She revealed that she was an Armenian by the name Heranus.

2. Four Years in the Mountains of Kurdistan by Aram Haigaz

The story in this book is both Armenian and Kurdish. It’s a more recently published family memoir, which is now in the English language. The protagonists of the story were born at almost the same time. All of them were children when the genocide took place, but each one of them had different experiences. 

Some managed to make it to the United States, while one goes to Armenia under the Soviet Union. Another one is absorbed completely into a Turkish family. One of them has an extraordinary tale to tell. He lives as a Kurd for several years and is eventually absorbed into the Kurdish household.

3. Burning Orchards by Gurgen Mahari

A beautifully written novel, Burning Orchards is a story told from the inside. It’s quite a satirical piece about the Armenian revolutionary parties. These parties played a key role in provoking the Turks, which culminated in the Armenian Genocide. A talented writer, Gurgen Mahari grew up in the Ottoman Empire and later went to Soviet Armenia. 

He even spent many years as a political prisoner. When he came back to Yerevan, he wrote this autobiographical novel about Van of 1915. It was during this year that this city became the epicenter of the Armenian-Turkish violence.

4. Song of America by George M. Mardikian

Published in the 1950s, this book tells a powerful story of someone who has been through a lot. First it was the genocide, the second was immigration, and then starting a new life in the United States. Armenians are one of those communities whose national identity is associated with tragedy and martyrdom. 

The Armenians are not alone. The Jews, the Irish, and the Palestinians have also gone through such tragedies. Armenia, Ireland, and Israel are the countries that have some tragic events at the center of their historical experience.

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This was one of the reasons why Raphael Lemkin, a legal jurist, created the term ‘genocide’. The history of the Armenian Genocide is quite intriguing and there are many films based on this horrific event. Here are some of them:

1. The Cut (2014)

The Cut is considered as one of the best fiction films based on the Armenian Genocide. It is a moving story that follows Nazaret Manoogian from the city of Mardin. He wants to track down his daughters and escape a certain death. The movie has been filmed in the Western Armenian language, which was an incredible feat. This is because the director, Fatih Akin, and most of the crew didn’t speak this language. 

The role of Nazaret is played by Tahar Rahim, an Algerian-French actor. The story is told in a graphic way, which makes it very disturbing and moving at the same time. Fatih has done an excellent job of lighting contemporary story parallels without heavy-handedness. Although the ending is a bit corny, it introduces the audience to the psychological realities faced by the genocide survivors.

2. Ararat (2002)

Atom Egoyan is among the finest directors of the Armenian descent in recent times. His film, Ararat, has become a classic. They way this film grapples with mourning and history is truly commendable. It tells the tale of a fictional director who wants to make a film on the Armenian Genocide. The film would also be about the survivor Arshile Gorky, and the Van Resistance. 

What follows is a curious reflection on history’s nature and its relationship with the present. Ararat shows how this event has inspired contemporary artists to explore different themes and styles to tell the story. This is despite the perpetrators constantly denying the truth. The film features Charles Aznavour, Arsinee Khanjian, Christopher Plummer, Eric Bogosian, and many others.

3. The Armenian Genocide (2006)

Filmed in a classic PBS style, this film is among the finest straightforward documentaries about the events of 1915. It has been directed by Andrew Goldberg, who had uncovered important footage of Raphael Lemkin. The film does a great job in telling the history and providing many important contexts for the genocide. 

It also includes interviews done with several leading figures, such as Vartan Gregorian, Samantha Power, and Peter Balakian. The film also has narrations by several Hollywood celebrities, including Ed Harris, Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, and Laura Linney.

4. Grandmother’s Tattoos (2011)

Suzanne Khardalian took the initiative of explaining the curious tattoos of her grandmother through this documentary. Her grandmother had these tattoos on her hands and face and she never talked about them throughout her life. They were a source of shame for many women who were survivors of the genocide. Those tattoos were symbols of sexual abuse and enslavement. 

Suzanne’s documentary uses these scars to explore the topic involving women in the process. This is one of the many projects that focused on female survivors. Most of these women were forced to endure the most horrific crimes. They happened after their husbands, fathers, sons, and other male relatives were forcibly evicted from their homes and killed.

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This was given when she was in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, for a public talk. She stated that no individual on the receiving end can deny or discredit what another’s grandparents had gone through. Here are some of the testimonies that were given by the survivors of the genocide:

1. Father Krikor “Kreiger” Guerguerian

In a brief clip, Father Krikor Guerguerian recalls what was told to him by the perpetrator. The Turk had confessed that he killed Father Guerguerian’s father and three brothers. He also confessed that he confiscated their house and garden and asked Guerguerian for forgiveness. Father Guerguerian was a Catholic Armenian priest who had survived that horrific event as a child. 

He took it upon himself in his later years to investigate the perpetrators. He became the first individual to research the topic methodologically. His interview includes some historical documents and his journey to find them. He had visited his birthplace, Gurun, years later.

2. Vahram Papazyan

He was among the first two athletes who represented the Ottoman empire in the Olympics. Papazyan and his teammate Mgrdich Migiryan were both Armenians. They had participated in the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. He discussed his relationship with the United States Olympian, Jim Thorpe, and his experience at the games. 

He talks about the political environment that prevailed in the Olympics from the perspective of an Armenian. He was later involved in the formation of the Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts during 1918 in Istanbul. In 1962, his memoirs with the title ‘Ser, Ser, Ser’ was published.

3. The Greek experience

Interviews with Greeks from Turkey was conducted by J. Michael Hagopian, a filmmaker and co-founder of Armenian Film Foundation. He had traveled to Greece for conducting these interviews. Most of the Greeks interviewed were a part of the great population exchange that took place in 1922-23. This exchange had taken place between Greece and Turkey. 

About 1.5 million Greeks in Turkey were exchanged for 500 thousand Turks from Greece. Most of the interviewees narrated what they had witnessed during the Armenian genocide. They also shared their experiences during the Great Fire in Smyrna, which took place in 1922. 

4. Elsie Taft on the Great Fire of Smyrna

While recalling the Great Fire of Smyrna, Elsie Taft narrated how she was saved by the American sailors. The fire broke out after the last battle of the war between Greece and Turkey. The battle had ended in the defeat of the Greek army by the Turkish forces. Before the war, the Greek army controlled parts of Western Anatolia. The city was engulfed in flames after the Turkish victory. 

The Greek and Armenian residents of Smyrna were subjected to brutal treatment by the Turkish army. Some of the survivors had escaped death during the Armenian genocide. They were able to find refuge in the city of Smyrna, which is now called ‘Izmir’. Despite finding safe haven in the city, they were kicked out again by the Turkish soldiers.

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The massacres and deportations ended by the early 1920s, but it caused the death of over a million Armenians. Many of them were forcibly removed from Turkey. Many historians call this a premeditated and systematic campaign, which was intended to exterminate the entire Armenian population.

The first massacre of Armenians

Between the years 1894 and 1896, a state-sanctioned pogrom took place in turkey. The Turkish soldiers, military officials, and even common men sacked the villages and cities inhabited by the Armenians. This was the response to the large-scale protests from the Armenians at several places. The pogrom led to the murder of thousands of Armenians.

Young Turks

A new government came to power in Turkey during 1908. Sultan Abdul Hamid was overthrown by a group of reformers. They called themselves the ‘Young Turks’ and established a more constitutional and modern government. Initially, the Armenian population in the country was hopeful that this would give them equal rights in the country. 

However, they soon came to know that the nationalistic Young Turks wanted ‘Turkification’ of the empire. According to their way of thinking, the Christian non-Turks were a grave threat to their state. During 1914, the Turks sided with Germany and entered the First World War. 

Meanwhile, the religious authorities of the Ottoman empire declared a holy war against all Christians. The allies of Turks were excluded. Military leaders started arguing that the Armenians were traitors. According to their argument, if the Allies were victorious, the Armenians would be on the side of their enemies. 

Armenians soon began to form volunteer battalions for helping the Russian army in their fight against the Turks. Such events led the Turkish government to carry out their plans of removing the Armenians from the war zones.

The genocide

The Armenian genocide began on the 24th of April, 1915. On that day, the Turkish government arrested and executed hundreds of Armenian intellectuals. Later, the ordinary Armenians were evicted from their homes and sent on death marches. They were made to walk through the Mesopotamian desert without food or water. 

Often, these marchers were stripped and forced to walk under the scorching sun until the fell dead. Those who stopped were shot. The Young Turks formed a special unit, which organized killing squads. These squads were known as ‘butcher battalions’. They carried out the barbaric act of killing the Armenians.

Such killing squads comprised ex-convicts and murderers. They drowned the Armenian people in rivers, crucified them, burned them alive, and threw them off cliffs. Within a short span of time, the Turkish countryside was littered with corpses of the Armenians. 

According to some records, this state-sponsored campaign also involved kidnappings of children. They were converted to Islam and given to the Turkish families. In some areas, women were raped and forced to join the Turkish ‘harems’. 

Properties of the deported Armenians were seized and their homes were occupied by the Turkish Muslim families. The sources say that there were nearly two million Armenians in Turkey at the time of the genocide. By 1922, there were only about 388,000 of them left in the Ottoman empire.

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