Armenia's Architectural Heritage

  Armenia

Gyumri

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: Research Mission
Preserve the unique cultural identity of an Armenian city by documenting historic buildings and artifacts.

Situation Report
Gyumri, Armenia -- Armenia is the legendary earthly paradise where Noah landed his ark and cultivated the first vineyard. This mountainous country has been a crossroad of cultures for more than 2,000 years. Greeks, Romans, Russians, and Turks have all left their mark on the land and people. Throughout it all, Armenia's tenacious cultural identity marks the unique architecture of its historic buildings. Earthquakes in 1988 damaged or destroyed 80 percent of the buildings in the city of Gyumri, leaving half a million people homeless. Nearly 20 years later, attempts to rebuild this historic city are finally moving forward. You can help an international team, led by architect Jane Britt Greenwood, to document architecture in Gyumri's historic district. Your efforts will help guide plans to reconstruct a city that reflects Armenia's cultural legacy.

Meals and Accommodations
You will stay in the Hotel Berlin, a short walk or van ride to your field study sites. The hotel is run by the German Red Cross, and features shared rooms, running water, and hot showers. You will start each day with a traditional breakfast at the hotel consisting of cheeses, meats, eggs, vegetables, homemade apricot jam, and traditional Armenian flat bread, or lavash. Meals in the field can include all the culinary delights of the Caucasus region, such as khorovats, or barbecued pork, and a wonderful assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Highlights: You will explore the Kumayri Historic District, a region rich in the culture and tradition of a bygone era. This neighborhood of Gyumri features historic houses built with indigenous red and black "tuff," classic churches, and open plazas. You will work with a teammate to sketch and measure building floor plans and elevations, photograph historic buildings and architectural details, and interview homeowners. In your recreational time, you might visit the capital city of Yerevan to shop in the outdoor market and attend cultural activities such as opera or performances by dancing troupes. A trip to Etchmiadzin, the Armenian equivalent of the Vatican, is also planned. This is an amazing opportunity to gain an intimate knowledge of Armenian culture and heritage.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,946

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees... people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Armenia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 - 10

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971