Mount Ararat and us

 Vaհe H Apeliaն

Ararat, Avedik Isahakyan, Antranig Zarougian

Ararat has been a sight to us since 1920 and remains a sight. The region of Surmalu (Mount Ararat region) was under the administration of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. The district fell under Turkish occupation during the Turkish invasion of Armenia in 1920 and was formally ceded to Turkey by the Treaty of Moscow in March 1921, following Armenia's Sovietization. The cessation was confirmed in the Treaty of Kars, signed in October of that same year. Such has been our history and Ararat has been a sight to  us since 1920

Obviously, it would be the understatement of our history when I also note that there is no other landscape with which we, as Armenians associate ourselves more than Mount Ararat. The mountain is the principal national symbol of Armenia. It is featured prominently in Armenian literature and art and is the icon of what constitutes being an Armenian

On April 28, 2026, PM Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented to the public the new Armenian passport and went over each photo-illustration in the passport commenting on each and especially dwelling more on the photo-illustrated depiction of Khor Virab Monastery without Mount Ararat appearing in the background. Khor Virab monastery complex was photographed and presented in the passport at an angle that sidelined Mount Ararat. It is at the Khor Verab monastery that visitors, especially Armenian visitors, like to be photographed because of the majestic view of Mount Ararat in the background. 

Although the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister revealed during their presentation of the new passport about Khor Virab monastery depiction, but it was not news. Zartonk Media had reported it weeks earlier, on September 14, 2025. The Armenian government has its own understandable reasons to have all the photo-illustrations of the Armenian passport depict Armenian real estate only. 

But, the citizens of Armenia have codified Mount Ararat in their constitution since its inception in 19915, but with a caveat. The Constitution of Armenia established Mount Ararat as a core element of national identity, featuring it on the state Coat of Arms. Article 21 describes the emblem as a shield containing Mount Ararat with Noah's Ark, supported by an eagle and a lion. 

We have to accept that the Armenian Constitutional depiction of Mount Ararat is with Noah’s Ark on it. 

Regrettably Mount Ararat is often weaponized not by Turkey, but by the opposition, not only in Armenia but also in the Diaspora by going as far as accusing PM Nikol Pashinyan of wanting to remove the image of the Ararat from the Armenia’s coat-of-arms, when it should have be well understood that only the citizens of Armenia can bring a change in the constitution and not a sitting government. 

The reason the Mount Ararat depiction was removed from Armenia’s entry and exit stamp could very well be ascribed for not being a constitutionally mandated depiction. It is surprising to hear that learned individuals allege that the Nikol Pashinyan government rather have the people not view Mount Ararat. Of course, that is not so. Those interested in Armenia will continue to look at Mount Ararat and will be continued inspired by it as Antranig Zarougian and Avedik Isahakyan were.

Antranig Zarougian wrote his poem vow to Mount Ararat in 1935, in Aleppo, when he was 22 years old. (see the link)

Avedis Isahakyan wrote his famous poem about Ararat in 1920’s when he lived in Italy, noting that, “To the old dome of Ararat, centuries have come like a second, and passed away. Countless flashing swords have been dulled by the diamond hard mountain, and left. Generations at its brink, have gazed the light on its summit, and moved on. It's your turn now, for a moment look at its furrowed forehead, and move on.” Avediak Isahakyan moved to Soviet Armenia in 1936 and settled there as an esteemed poet. 

Avedik Isahakyan and Antranig Zarougian wrote their timeless poems when Ararat was no more in Armenia.  Was their vision for Mount Ararat be in Armenia? It could be. But it could very well be argued that their vision was for creating at Ararat’s slope an exemplary, a pristine society if you will. Antranig Zarouigian titled the book he wrote in 1958, "Old Dreams, New Paths" (Հին երազներ, նոր ճամբաներ), and "New Armenia, New Armenians" (Նոր Հայաստան, նոր հայեր) in 1983. Their vision may very well have been for a sovereign Armenia that lives in peace with its neighbors and with itself and within itself, and resolves its historical wrongs not by war and aggression, but by negotiation and peaceful state relations. 

Is it naïve to think that way? But I never expected to see in my lifetime, the Armenian Tricolor flag raised at the U.N. on March 2, 1992, nor Armenia hosting a European summit today, on May, 2026.

So, I rather stick with that notion. 

Link: Vow to Mount Ararat - https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2017/07/vow-to-mount-ararat.html