THIS IS CAUCASIAN

Բարձրադիր գյուղերում ձնհալից հետո անասուններին «սար» են տանում՝ գյուղի մոտակայքում գտնվող արոտավայր։ Լոռու մարզի Շնող գյուղի «սար»-ը Մեծ Ուրթատեղն է, գյուղից հեռու է մոտ 15 կմ։ Առաջ ամռան ամիսներին գյուղացիներն ամբողջ ընտանիքով էին բարձրանում Մեծ Ուրթատեղ, այժմ հիմնականում ընտանիքի ավագ անդամներն են այդ գործն անում, մնացածը գյուղի աշխատանքներով են զբաղված, պարբերաբար գնում են Մեծ Ուրթատեղ՝ ուտելիք տանելու և խոտհունձի համար։ Շնողցի երեխաներից շատերի ամառային արձակուրդներն անցկացնում են այնտեղ։ 

Backstage during a multi-ethnic music performance. Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan, 2000.

In 1998, I found myself in Aparan, a large town an hour’s drive from Armenia’s capital, Yerevan. A local dance troupe was performing that evening, in the open air, with most of the suburb in attendance. The old, the young, everyone was present, sitting hunched on stools or cross-legged on the floor, transfixed. In the background, small mountains and jagged cliffs framed the scene.

As soon as I took my first shot, an old man approached me. Tears streamed down his face. He told me that his son had died. That he had been electrocuted, that he was his pride and joy, and that I looked just like him. He broke into sobs and moved towards me with outstretched arms. His name was Ishran.

I asked if he would dance for me, and he began dancing. The troupe paused and perched on an outcrop of rocks in the background. It was beautiful, not because the man is beautiful, but because he represents something deep inside the collective consciousness of the Armenian community: a celebratory resilience in the face of overwhelming loss.

Here is the information about the next 3 fashion weeks!

1. Canada First Nations Fashion Week (34 votes) - June 20 - 26, 2016

2. Circassian Fashion Week (33 votes) - July 11-17, 2016

3. Ethiopia Fashion Week (30 votes) - August 1 - 7, 2016

Did not close! Due to a tie for third place, voting has been extended to Sunday, 6 AM EST

CONTINUE VOTING! 

1. Circassian - 28 votes 

2. Canada First Nations - 27 votes 

Voting has started for the third fashion week (forgive the typo on the poll)!

Help us pick the next three fashion weeks! As you can see, the top three most suggested cultures have received pre-votes. 

Deadline: Sunday 12 AM EST

Armenia Fashion Week: Some interesting recipes and products:

1. PERFUMED COMPOSITION “AROMA OF PARADISE - Tested during centuries in the sphere of Armenian folk medicine this recipe of incomparable aroma contains the essential oils of 40 species of medicinal plants. It will introduce harmony and cheerfulness in your life. Breathing this unique aroma will help you restoring emotional and mental equilibrium, it will bring you good mood and, according to the definition of medieval physicians, “You will feel the aroma of Paradise”.

2. Beauty oil “Vordan karmir” (Cochineal) - In ancient times this magic oil was used by the noble Armenian women to preserve their beauty and youth. It is prepared according to ancient Armenian medical recipes, and contains cochineal from Ararat Valley and essential oil of herbs grown in Armenia. “VORDAN KARMIR” has remarkable medicinal and restorative properties. It eliminates the signs of ageing, refreshes and maintains the resilience of the skin and softens it. The Beauty Oil is provided for the face skin care, particularly around eyes. Apply it to the cleaned skin.

3. ROYAL ELIXIR - The Royal balsamic elixir is prepared in accordance with medieval Armenian traditional and encrypted medical recipes and special distillation technology. In the Middle Ages this elixir was used by kings and was proved to give them youthfulness and zest. As a result of long studies and researches, the elixir’s recipe was discovered and decoded by Deacon Armen Sahakyan, PH.D., phyto-therapist and senior researcher at the Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, the Matenadaran of Yerevan, Armenia. In the past it was prepared and kept in monasteries, with special rites accompanied by prayers. Currently the elixir is prepared at the Matenadaran and preserved in oak barrels. According to ancient traditions barrels are then transported to the “Hermit Caves” in the region of Vayots Dzor where monks realize Church rites, accompanying them with healing prayers and sacred chants. The ceremony of collecting and harvesting of the rare mountainous herbs takes place according to the way described in manuscripts, on specific lunar days, which fortifies the elixir’s strength, aroma and flavor. Contents: The elixir is prepared from the Armenian hawthorn fruits, extracts of 54 aromatic herbs, roots and flowers, including Mastica mutica, Herba Ziziphorae, Rhizoma Calami, Radix Nardostachyos, Flores Cephalariae, Semen Myristicae, Fructus Cubebae, Stigmata Croci, Rhizoma Iridis, Folia Melissae, Herba Majoranae, Flores Xeranthemi, Folia Myrti, Hermit Herb, Cochineal from Ararat Valley. It contains also natural mountain honey. The preparation of the elixir lasts three years. Benefits: Since ancient times, the Elixir is well known for its healing and strengthening action. The Elixir stimulates the immune system, improves blood circulation, as well as respiratory, digestive and nervous systems’ functions. It also contributes to overcoming fatigue, feelings of anxiety and depression. According to medieval physicians, it “heals the heart and makes the spirit happy”. It is also recommended for elderly people as preventive maintenance from risk of strokes and heart attacks. In case of senile sclerosis it improves memory. Drink 5-10 ml before eating.