‘‘The Gandzasar Monastery – the ‘Treasure of the Mountains’ – stood before us, high above the canyon of the River Khachen, amongst the gorges, mountains and alpine meadows, like a long and ancient chant.

Construction work on the monastery’s cathedral church began in 1216 after the invasion of the Seljuk Turks had been repulsed and it was completed during the period of the invasion of the Mongol Tartars.

Legend has it that the decapitated head of John the Baptist is buried in the vault of the church, which is why the church is dedicated to Hovhannes Mkrtich – St. John the Baptist.’’

THE MARRIAGE OF A PEN AND A “HASSELBLAD”, OR A MASTER CLASS BY BORIS BARATOV.

“The Chronicles of Karabakh. 1989–2009” by Boris Baratov is a personal account of the whole dramatic history of Artsakh-Karabakh, one of the regions of ancient Armenia. This book was printed in Venice.

The quality of the illustrations is impeccable. Leafing through the book is akin to watching a first-rate film, which in its scope and quality reveals this ancient land to the world.

Karen Mikaelian, “New Times” newspaper, 28^th January, 2010. Armenia.

A JOURNEY IN TIME

Boris Baratov’s book “The Chronicles of Karabakh. 1989–2009” forms a unique mosaic, which recounts the fates of various strands of our people, scattered as they have been throughout the world by the whims of Fate. Many of the photographs are accompanied by fascinating snapshot accounts, which like brightly-coloured touches in paint, add to the overall picture of our ancient history.

This is a hugely interesting read. Once you start your “journey” through the pages of “The Chronicles…” it is impossible to put them down. This book not only describes the monuments of history and culture, but also brings the reader into touch with real people, many of whom are well known in Karabakh. Their stories are followed over the course of twenty years.

Leonid Matrirosian, “Azat Artsakh” newspaper. 30^th January, 2010. NKR.

THERE ARE ALWAYS EAGLES WHEELING IN THE SKY ABOVE KARABAKH

To call the illustrations of the book “The Chronicles of Karabakh” mere photographs, would be to fail to convey adequately the sense of joyful delight, which anyone feels when coming face to face with a true work of art.

This book reveals to its reader both a country and a people, of whom in 1861 the famous French historian and orientalist Victor Langlois said in his article “The place of Armenia in world history”: “If there is a Christian people, who deserve the sympathy of Europe, it is the Armenians. This great, remarkable, ancient, noble and celebrated nation, although divided between two states… numbers four million people, but despite their terrible ordeals and losses, their remnants still today represent a reasonably strong force, which will one day become the nucleus of a vast nation”.

Every page of “The Chronicles of Karabakh” bears witness to the nobility of this freedom-loving people. This is an accurate and truthful account. This is proof that Artsakh-Karabakh, with its eagles and mountain heights always was and always will remain part of Armenia.

Hovhannes Eranian, “Erkir” newspaper, January 2010. Armenia