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PAST CAMPAIGNS Kessab, Syria Kessab is a Cilician village in Syria, on the Mediterranean coast, which is the last Armenian village left in Syria. LCO first visited in 1982, after undertaking its first projects in Iran. LCO decided to restore the typical Armenian houses in order encourage the villagers to remain in Kessab and preserve Armenian heritage in its historic land. Between 1986- 2006: LCO Renovation of the traditional Armenian houses in Kessab and the Kaladouran Valley, called the Ashkarian House, the Bedrossian House, the Baboudjian House. Between 1991-1992: LCO undertook the construction of an ethnographical museum in Kessab supported by the Gulbenkian Foundation. Between 1986-1990: LCO completed an agricultural programme in the Kaladouran Valley including the plantation of fruit trees, irrigation, and plantation of vegetables. Between 1985-1988: LCO renovated the Sourp Stepanos church in the Kaladouran Valley which allowed people to go to the mass. Finally, LCO organized and supervised holidays from Armenia and Artsakh to Kessab for Armenian orphans. Gogaran, Armenia LCO worked in Gogaran from 1990 to 1996. Gogaran is a small village of 200 families located 5 miles outside of Spitak, the epicentre of the December 7, 1988 earthquake. Gogaran is approximately 1.5 hours north of Yerevan. For six years LCO was involved in assisting the local villagers to rebuild their homes which were partially destroyed by the earthquake. In 1992, the villagers requested that LCO selects as a project, the reconstruction of Gogaran's ancient church. Located in the village of Saghmosavan, in the Ashtarak region, some 40 minutes to the northwest of Yerevan on the banks of the Kazakh River is the medieval monastic complex of Sahmosavank. Standing on the edge of a ravine and having Mount Aragadz as a backdrop some distance away, this beautiful structure can be seen from a distance as one approaches the village of Saghmosavan. The complex comprises the church of St. Sion, the Gavit, the library, St. Asdvadzadzin church and the surrounding and interior khatchkars. The monastic complex was started by the construction of St. Sion church in the early 13th century (1215) by Prince Vatche Vatchoudian and continued for the remaining structures ending in 1255 by the building of the library by Prince Kourd Vatchoudian. In the northwest of the complex is the old cemetery dating from the 13th-14th centuries with a number of notable khatchkars still standing. The complex is built of dark coloured Tufa stone intermingled in places by lighter, cinnamon coloured Tufa. One of the best examples of Armenian medieval architecture, Saghmosavank has undergone numerous renovations throughout the ages. The 1988 earthquake has damaged the main structure considerably in the form of severe cracks in the walls and the roof. As a result, leaking water which freezes during the winter months has aggravated the damage. Our volunteers worked to repair the damage and renovated the complex over 3 years, in time for the celebration of the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia which took place in 2001. Ambert, Armenia In 1989 and 1990, LCO volunteers had the opportunity to travel back in time by working on the archaeological site of Ambert, located in the Aragatz mountain range. Armenian men and women from various parts of the world lived in the quaint resort of Biuragan, also the site of Armenia's famous observatory. They commuted 15 minutes on a bumpy ride through time to excavate the tonirs and dwellings of ancestors. Sounds, sharagans, and songs from the past were heard through the walls of the 11th century church. Working under the mesmerizing hum of bees, the cool picnics by the river were rejuvenating. Those who spent their summer at Ambert will always remember the ride back to the future and long for the past. Armenia's geographical position, at the crossroads of communication between east and west, made it the theatre of fierce battles between the two worlds, so profoundly different in their culture and traditions, and inevitably always in disagreement. Because it was troubled by this strife, and was periodically laid waste to by the invasions of powerful neighbours, Armenia and her princes built over the centuries numerous means of defence in order to survive against warlike adversaries. These many fortresses, residences of the most important feudatories, and at the same time, bulwarks against external or internal enemies, were undoubtedly the best weapon; today they are an irreplaceable characteristic of the Armenian countryside as well as invaluable to the study of the history and institutions of the Armenian people. From this standpoint the Ambert fortress and church, typical examples of constructions arising in answer to a particular need, are especially interesting. Madrasa, Armenia One of the casualties of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was a village outside Baku, Azerbaijan called Madrasa. The entire population of 600 Armenian families was removed in November of 1988 and dispersed throughout the Soviet Union. The head of this village, in typical Armenian fashion, was determined not to let this event end an existence and way of life that he had known since birth. He located 130 of the original families, who had been housed in temporary accommodations throughout Armenia, and together decided to recreate their village life-- but on Armenian soil! In November of 1990 the Refugee Committee allocated a large parcel of land on which their new village was to be created. This area was initially named New Madrasa but recently was renamed Dbrevan, the Armenian translation of Madrasa, which means school in Arabic, Madrasa is located in the Ashdarag Region of Armenia, approximately 30 miles north of Yerevan. The area was divided into approximately 200 family plots and, over two years, with the help of the LCO, approximately 45 homes were built. The blockade made the work very difficult at times, but Madrasa has taken on some semblance of a real village. Villagers have planted trees and gardens. The plot that was given to the Madrasa villagers was useless land dry, rocky, infertile. However, through the perseverance of these people, greenery and life has been put into this once arid flat land. Datev, Armenia In the region of Goris, about 18 kilometres southwest of the town of Goris, on the right bank plateau of the Vorotan River is the famous medieval monastery of Datev (9th century). In 1995, with the cooperation of the Committee on Historic Preservation of Monuments, LCO adopted the village of Datev, across from the Datev monastery. Throughout the pre-independence period, on-going renovations of the various historical monuments were periodically undertaken in this region. While Etchmiadzin continues its renovation of the main monastery, LCO undertook the renovation of the Sourp Minas village church dating from the 17th century. LCO’s volunteers renovated the roof of the Church and undertook the renovation of the interior and surrounding exterior of the church. LCO’s volunteers also participated in the rededication of the Church. Following the renovation of the Church, LCO renovated the village’s school, including classrooms, bathrooms, and gymnasium. Karintak, Artsakh Karintak is located in the Shoushi region of NKR about half a kilometre south of Shoushi on the left bank of the Karkar River. It is at an elevation of 1160-1230 meters. Shatvan, Armenia The village of Shatvan is in the Vartenis area. It is located on the borders with Azerbaijan and is very close to the road that leads to Kelbajar (now called Nor Shahumyan), NKR. As of December 4, 1988, the village of Shatvan has been repopulated by refugees who have arrived from 33 different parts of Azerbaijan (Shankhor, Khanlar, Baku, etc). The total number of the current population is 834. There is a growing birth rate in this village. There are over 50 children under the age of 6 and about 120 school age youth. In 2004, LCO undertook reconstruction work on the school in this impoverished village.
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