According to the bible the Ark of Noah is supported on the top of Mount Ararat. The pro-grandson of Noah, Haik, gave its name to the country: Hayastan. His descendants, the Armenians, still called Hays. Despite the terrible massacres of 1915 implemented by the government of Young Turks (the first genocide of the twentieth century), despite the division of territory operated by Stalin in 1920 and despite the war against Azerbaijan from 1988 to 1994, the Armenian people, firmly linked to their religion, culture and language, has maintained its identity. Today Armenia is at a crucial point in its history, leaving behind 2000 years of domination, rising from the state of religious and cultural communities to the state of political society sovereign. In the heart of the Caucasus, Armenia is becoming an important player in the international geopolitical chessboard Territory; religion and society are the three fundamental aspects that I tried to deepen and that led me to travel in locations across the country from the border with Turkey to border with Iran, passing through the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Région de Chambarak. Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179819 © Nanda Gonzague
Une famille vivant dans les montagnes de la région de Chambarak profite d'un déjeuner en plein air. Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179834 © Nanda Gonzague
Dans la région de Berd, Un chauffeur de taxi attend des clients au pied du monastère Nor Varagavank. Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179836 © Nanda Gonzague
Les élèves de l'école de Berd dans leur classe d'éducation militaire font une pose après le cours. Berd, Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179840 © Nanda Gonzague
During the war aginst Azerbaïdjan, a large part of the city of Shusha was destroyed. Today, 60% of the city was still in ruins.
GON0132617 © Nanda Gonzague
Built between 301-303 by Gregor Lousavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator), founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzine is the oldest Christian temple in Armenia and one of the oldest in the world.
GON0132632 © Nanda Gonzague
The Noratus Cemetery near Lake Sevan is one of the biggest in Armenia. Over 900 khatchkars (burial stones) have been preserved there for several centuries.
GON0132628 © Nanda Gonzague
A woman prays in the Etchmiadzine Cathedral.
GON0132626 © Nanda Gonzague
Icon of the Armenian Apostolic Church at the gates of Etchmiadzine.
GON0132625 © Nanda Gonzague
Un jeune homme sur les marches de "Cascade" surplombant Erevan. Erevan, Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179851 © Nanda Gonzague
The city of Erevan is gearing up to celebrate its 2789th birthday, with a concert in Republic Square. Armenia, November 2007.
GON0132604 © Nanda Gonzague
Birthday ceremony to celebrate the city of Erevan's 2789 years. Erevan, Armenia, October 2007.
GON0132605 © Nanda Gonzague
The construction of North Avenue, an 800 metre long road linking the Opera to Republic Square is one of the capital's major public works. Erevan, Armenia, October 2007.
GON0132609 © Nanda Gonzague
Placing the new commemorative plaque on the Armenian government building.
GON0132622 © Nanda Gonzague
Demonstration in support of the ex-President and candidate Levon-Ter-Petrossian during the presidential campaign in 2008.
GON0132623 © Nanda Gonzague
L'ex-président Levon Ter Petrossian, qui représente l'opposition, apparaît lors d'une manifestation contre le gouvernement de Serge Sarkissian le 19 juin 2008. Erevan, Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179843 © Nanda Gonzague
Manifestation contre le gouvernement de Serge Sarkissian le 19 juin 2008. Erevan, Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179846 © Nanda Gonzague
Après plusieurs jours de grève de la faim, un groupe de femmes obtient la libération de deux prisonniers politiques arrêtés lors des manifestations de mars 2008. Erevan, Arménie, juin 2008.
GON0179850 © Nanda Gonzague
An inhabitant of Shusha in front of an apartment block that was bombarded during the war with Azerbaïdjan.
GON0132608 © Nanda Gonzague
A couple from Stepanakert were just married at the Ghazantchetsots Church in Shusha. Weddings in Shusha are very in vogue in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
GON0132606 © Nanda Gonzague
After a wedding in Ghazantchetsots Church in Shusha.
GON0132611 © Nanda Gonzague
Two young men from Shusha catch the pigeons that were freed for a wedding.
GON0132602 © Nanda Gonzague
A young priest at the Ghazantchetsots Church in Shusha.
GON0132610 © Nanda Gonzague
A police officer rebuilds his house in the centre of Shusha.
GON0132615 © Nanda Gonzague
In a restaurant in Shusha.
GON0132618 © Nanda Gonzague
The road from Stepanakert to Goris forms a corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
GON0132631 © Nanda Gonzague
A young Russian soldier watches over the military zone in Shusha.
GON0132630 © Nanda Gonzague
The Nagorno-Karabakh region is always under stress. In Shusha, the military base watches the Azeri border situated several kilometres away.
GON0132607 © Nanda Gonzague
Hrachik Harutunijan, specialised historian in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, takes an inventory of Armenian cemeteries which were destroyed during the Azeri occupation.
GON0132613 © Nanda Gonzague
In Kadjaran, a mining town in the south of Armenia, a father and his son chat on the side of the road.
GON0132619 © Nanda Gonzague
While the borders with Turkey and Azerbaïdjan are blocked, Georgia and Iran's borders are open to Armenia. Situated in the Iranian foothills, the frontier town of Meghri is a compulsory stop along the Teheran axis.
GON0132621 © Nanda Gonzague