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A New Armenian Holiday: Khachadoor Apovian Mountains Day
Celebrating with Apovian's book Verk Hayasadanee and Armenian cognac
in the San Gabriel Mountains
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN
Most people know Khachadoor Apovian primarily as the pioneer in using
vernacular Armenian as a written language (for our eastern dialect).
But he also climbed Mount Ararat, first on October 9, 1829 (September
27 on the Julian calendar), then two more times, which fewer people
are conscious of. He was also first to summit Mt. Arakadz in July of
1843.
In recognition of this feat, henceforth, the Sunday closest to October
9 will be recognized as Khachadoor Apovian Mountains Day. All
Armenians will be encouraged to be in the mountains to celebrate
Apovian's accomplishment and honor the mountains of our homeland.
Robert Assarian (driving force of the Armenian Hikers Association -
AHA!) consulted leaders of the three LA-area groups of Armenian
hikers, and Khachadoor Apovian Mountains Day was born. This idea first
arose in an August discussion between Robert (then on his way to
climbing Ararat as part of a six-man team) and the leadership of the
Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation. The latter is applying
to the Republic of Armenia's sports authorities to formalize the
holiday there.
You might be thinking `With so many people, Armenians and others,
summiting Ararat, what's the big deal?' At the time, Ararat was among
the highest peaks reached by humans, exceeded only in the Andes. Its
tempests can also be quite dangerous. The Himalaya and Tien Shan
(central Asia) ranges were barely even known. Everest was discovered
only in 1847, and not officially recognized as the highest peak on the
planet until 1856. Thus, seen in the proper context, the 1829 climbing
team achieved quite a feat. The team consisted of Apovian, Hovhannes
Aivazian and Moorad Boghossian from the nearby village of Agoree
acting as guides, three Russian soldiers, and Fridrikh Parrot - a
University of Dorpat (now Tartu, Estonia) professor.
Even this year, hikes were organized on Sunday October 6, though on
very short notice. Hamlet Kamsar reports from England that a group of
Armenians climbed a summit in Yorkshire. AHA and ASLA-Armenian Hiking
Society in the LA basin hiked to Twin Peaks (San Gabriel Mountains)
and celebrated with a copy of Apovian's book Verk Hayasadanee and
Armenian cognac on the peak! In Armenia, a group summitted Ararat -
talk about a fitting tribute!
Mark your calendars. Next year, 2014, Sunday October 12, you must head
up to the mountains, wherever you may be! And, the best part is, just
about EVERYONE can find a peak that's accessible, whether that's from
a geographical or physical ability perspective
http://asbarez.com/114983/a-new-armenian-holiday-khachadoor-apovian-mountains-day/
Celebrating with Apovian's book Verk Hayasadanee and Armenian cognac
in the San Gabriel Mountains
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN
Most people know Khachadoor Apovian primarily as the pioneer in using
vernacular Armenian as a written language (for our eastern dialect).
But he also climbed Mount Ararat, first on October 9, 1829 (September
27 on the Julian calendar), then two more times, which fewer people
are conscious of. He was also first to summit Mt. Arakadz in July of
1843.
In recognition of this feat, henceforth, the Sunday closest to October
9 will be recognized as Khachadoor Apovian Mountains Day. All
Armenians will be encouraged to be in the mountains to celebrate
Apovian's accomplishment and honor the mountains of our homeland.
Robert Assarian (driving force of the Armenian Hikers Association -
AHA!) consulted leaders of the three LA-area groups of Armenian
hikers, and Khachadoor Apovian Mountains Day was born. This idea first
arose in an August discussion between Robert (then on his way to
climbing Ararat as part of a six-man team) and the leadership of the
Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation. The latter is applying
to the Republic of Armenia's sports authorities to formalize the
holiday there.
You might be thinking `With so many people, Armenians and others,
summiting Ararat, what's the big deal?' At the time, Ararat was among
the highest peaks reached by humans, exceeded only in the Andes. Its
tempests can also be quite dangerous. The Himalaya and Tien Shan
(central Asia) ranges were barely even known. Everest was discovered
only in 1847, and not officially recognized as the highest peak on the
planet until 1856. Thus, seen in the proper context, the 1829 climbing
team achieved quite a feat. The team consisted of Apovian, Hovhannes
Aivazian and Moorad Boghossian from the nearby village of Agoree
acting as guides, three Russian soldiers, and Fridrikh Parrot - a
University of Dorpat (now Tartu, Estonia) professor.
Even this year, hikes were organized on Sunday October 6, though on
very short notice. Hamlet Kamsar reports from England that a group of
Armenians climbed a summit in Yorkshire. AHA and ASLA-Armenian Hiking
Society in the LA basin hiked to Twin Peaks (San Gabriel Mountains)
and celebrated with a copy of Apovian's book Verk Hayasadanee and
Armenian cognac on the peak! In Armenia, a group summitted Ararat -
talk about a fitting tribute!
Mark your calendars. Next year, 2014, Sunday October 12, you must head
up to the mountains, wherever you may be! And, the best part is, just
about EVERYONE can find a peak that's accessible, whether that's from
a geographical or physical ability perspective
http://asbarez.com/114983/a-new-armenian-holiday-khachadoor-apovian-mountains-day/