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Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia with its capital in Yerevan.
Armenian culture takes its origin from the culture of the Urartian civilization - the art of Urartu refers to the direction of the Ancient East. Almost immediately after invention of alphabet and writing first literary works were born. They refer to V - VI centuries. Initially, it is about historical works of Mogenes Khorenatsi, for example «History of Armenia» about countries of Front Asia, as well as about his contemporary Koryun, who wrote "Life of Mashtots" and translated many theological books into Armenian. Armenian poetry also reached a high level. Widely known name is a name of Grigor Narekatsi (10th century), who created the poem «Book of Sorrowfull Chants» - one of the monuments in the history of world literature.
The traditional everyday activities of the Armenians were and are weaving and rug weaving, pottery, lace weaving, jewelry making and decoration of household utensils.
National weaving skills are reflected in Armenian folk costumes. The traditional part of the men’s costume is considered to be «cherckesy», who was worn over the shirt and vest. The women’s heads covered various veiled. Traditional elements of women’s and men’s costumes were considered patterns of plants and geometric figures. Men and women also wore leather pointy shoes named “trekhy”. A special group of ornaments included items of ritual significance, such as Jinx decorations, talismans and crosses. Armenian culture represents a wide variety of women’s and men’s folk dances, which reflect the history of the country. The most famous male dances are militant «berd» and «trakhag». Performing «berd», the men build a two-story wall climbing on each other’s shoulders. «Trakhag» is performed using various weapons – sabers, swords, pointed thick sticks. «Uzundara», women's solo dance, slow and gentle, was originally a traditional bride’s dance that symbolized farewell to the parent house.
Today it is difficult to imagine the music of Armenia without the sad and profound sound of the duduk, an ancient national brass instrument. The historical roots of the Duk, which in Armenia is also called the Zirangash, date back to the times of the Armenian tsar Tigran the Great (95-55 BC). The music of the Armenian Duka was recognized as a masterpiece of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. Also Armenia hosts three groups of UNESCO World Heritage sites: Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries, the cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and archaeological Site of Zvartnots and Geghard Monastery.
Among the outstanding artists of the Armenian people, such names as Mesrop Mashtots, Sayat Nova, Aram Khachaturyan, Djivan Gasparyan, Mikael Tariverdiev, Charles Aznavour, Michel Legrand, Martiros Saryan, Ivan Aivazovsky and many others.