Illustrated Talk by Armenia Hikers Planned for Lowell

LOWELL, Mass.—Interested in hiking the mountains, valleys, and villages of Armenia?

If you can’t be there in person, try an illustrated talk to get you in the mood.

Joseph Dagdigian and Dikran Dagavarian from Merrimack Valley were part of a small group of hikers who spent eight days combing the area around Siunik in southern Armenia. There they encountered beautiful natural vistas, schools, and historical and archaeological sites.

The two will discuss their adventures during a presentation Sat., May 21, at 6 p.m. at the ARS Community Center, 142 Liberty St. in Lowell.

The event is being sponsored by the Lowell “Aharonian” Gomideh in conjunction with a celebration of Armenian Independence Day.

For Dagdigian, Armenia is like a second home as he visits annually and maintains a residence there. His stories and photographs have entertained many an avid follower in the past.

The two men were joined by four other hikers who also traversed to Oughtasar, a site of ancient stone drawings reached over snowfields.

Four days were spent in Sisian visiting historical sites, including a copper-aged archaeological dig that just uncovered a human skeleton.

The group then hiked through the medieval village of Khntsoresk built into caves in the Khntsoresk valley.

From there, they patrolled to Tatev Anapat (Tatev Hermitage) in the valley below the more famous Tatev Monastery. The hermitage is accessible only by foot and horseback.

“During this hike, we were put in intimate contact with the region’s history and met many interesting, impressive, and dedicated people,” said Dagdigian, a community activist. “It was the experience of a lifetime and we’re only too happy to share it with others.”

A question and answer period will follow.

Dinner will precede the program. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and may be purchased at the door.

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Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.

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