Journey to Historic Armenia

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the Nor Serount (New Generation) Cultural Association will present a unique photo illustration; Journey to Historic Armenia on Sunday, May 15. Photography fans will have the opportunity to see original photos taken by Shiraz-Hovhannes Djeredjian, from 1960’s onwards, capturing natural scenes, historical monuments and Armenian landscapes.

Djeredjian is known as “the Photographer of the Armenian People.” His story-telling photography preserves the richness of the Armenian History. Shiraz has a unique talent in showcasing his photographs. His ability to narrate, coupled with the breathtaking scenes and historical sites, take you back to the places ancestors of the Armenian people, lived, prayed and battled.

Shiraz started working with a French archaeological group as a photographer in the 1960’s. After touring throughout Lebanon, he began working on his lifelong desire and travelled to hisancestral home to photograph Armenian fortresses & churches in Western Armenia (Today’s Turkey) and Eastern Armenia. His life-long journey has given him the opportunity to photograph historic Armenian towns and architectural heritage in Cilicia, Aintab, Ourfa, Dikranagerd, Paghesh, the Daron mountains, Sassoun, Kharpert, Van, Akhtamar, Bayazid, Khout, Prnashen, Pssank, Dalvorig, Shadakh, Dzovassar, Pshoud, Mshkegh, Mount Maratoug, Marash, Malatia, Erzroum, Moush, Kars, Ani and the Iranian-Turkish frontier. By his account, he is the first photographer who took aerial photos of Mount Ararat.

Within the next two decades, he continues his excursions and takes photos architectural sites and documents historical events. Shiraz also risked his life by photographing remote areas of the Artsakh region immediately following the war of liberation.

The exhibit will start at 4 p.m., with an English narration provided by Mr. Harut Der-Tavitian. A reception will follow the program. The Ararat–Eskijian Museum is located at 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills CA.