ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY NEWSLETTER A MONUMENTAL YEAR FOR THE ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY AND ARMENIAN CULTURE... A MESSAGE FROM ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY BOARD PRESIDENT HRATCH KOZIBEYOKIAN Dear friends, The Armenian Rugs Society is proud to announce its new eco-friendly, digital newsletter (part of our effort towards paperless operations) and the opening of our new website at armenianrugssociety.org which went live in late April/early May of this year, as did so many things in the world of Armenian arts, culture, and social life. Changes in the Homeland were followed by great new activities and events here in the US with our three week long participation with our amazing colleagues from Armenia, the Folk Arts Hub Foundation , in the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival and its associated activities in Washington DC, a rugs exhibit and lecture during Armenian's first Independence centennial celebration in Detroit, and so much more... CONTINUE... CARPETS, CAMARADERIE, AND CULTURE... THE ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY AT THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL IN WASHINGTON DC...! See, hear, feel, and experience what everyone has been touting as the event of the year and possibly the decade--the Smithsonian Folklife Festival , featuring the Armenia: Creating Home series of performances, with on-site artisans, crafts people, troubadours, singers, dancers, carpet weavers, sculptors, chefs, and so many more...! Our own Armenian Rugs Society members Hratch Kozibeyokian and Levon Der Bedrossian, as well as our dear colleagues from Folk Arts Hub Foundation in Armenia, participated in this amazing display, representing our culture in all its forms... Please be sure to visit the Smithsonian and Festival Videos pages on our Website , as well as the direct links to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival also accessible via our icons links below, to experience some of the most amazing and inspiring people and performances ever...! Read about the resurgence of the ancient Armenian rug weaving tradition, from Hratch Kozibeyokian and other master rug weavers from Armenia, in a new article here, at smithsonian.com ... AZERIS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN CLAIMING ARMENIAN CARPETS AS THEIR OWN... ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY ISSUES PRESS RELEASE ... SEE IT HERE... ARMENIAN RUGS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The Armenian Rugs Society is proud to announce it is now accepting applications for internship opportunities targeting high school, college, and university students, as well as others individuals interested in public service within a vibrant and growing non-profit organization. Those interested in connecting with a passionate global community learning about Armenian culture, the textile arts, exhibition and symposium organizing, curating, and event planning, as well as a slew of other activities and projects, are urged to apply. All interns will receive commensurate community service and volunteer experience and accreditation. Some positions may become paid part-time or full-time opportunities in due course. Please inquire and/or apply via our website CONTACT page or via our e-mail
[email protected] with #internship in the comment section or subject line. FOLK ARTS HUB WEAVES ITS WAY INTO HEARTS AND MINDS AT SMITHSONIAN FESTIVAL All our wonderful colleagues from the Folk Arts Hub Foundation in Armenia, made an amazing impression on countless thousands of people attending the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC this summer with master carpet weavers, singers, ancient Armenian shadow play performers, and artisans of the highest order. Our friends at the Folk Arts Hub Foundation also continue to work with the Armenian Rugs Society in realizing one of our most important projects in the Homeland--the "Adopt-a-Loom" Initiative throughout rural Armenia and many of its cities. READ MORE... Rug Cutting Ceremony Smithsonianfolklife from hayko on Vimeo . EXHIBIT AND LECTURE AT ARMENIA'S FIRST REPUBLIC CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN DETROIT On June 9, the Metro Detroit Armenian Community came together to celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia in what was a massive celebration drawing almost 2,000 in attendance, who enjoyed the evening with great Armenian food and music. The event was held at the historic Greenmead Park in Livonia, which was set up with three massive tents for music, food, and Armenian vendors. People spent time visiting the different tents and enjoying authentic Armenian food. Venders set-up booths selling Armenian products such as Alex and Ani jewelry, Aren 925 bracelets, Armenian paintings, weavings, an Armenian sweet table (organized by Detroit’s ARS chapters) and more. Also on display were traditional Armenian rugs and several live discussion sessions led by renowned rug expert Hratch Kozibeyokian from Los Angeles. The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Michigan was was present during the day, hosting politicians taking part in the festivities. --from The Armenian Weekly ARMENIAN SILK RUG RENAISSANCE Silk is the noblest of all natural fibers--it is delicate durable and shines like gold. No other woven textile equals it’s beauty. The Silk Road caravans found their way to Armenia, as well, and Armenian merchants brought the secret of sericulture home. In Western Armenia (Ottoman Empire), as well as in present day Artsakh, the mulberry tree is abundant and, hence, local production of silk from cocoons thrived as well. During the Soviet Era, along with many folk traditions, the art of sericulture died, too. Fortunately today Folk Arts are experiencing a revival in Armenia. The young generation is embracing the folk traditions and crafts with enthusiasm infusing into them their contemporary creativity. MORE...
