The idea reaches the First Secretary of the Central Committee Anton Kochinyan, and Rafael Israelyan gets an assignment of a memorial complex
There was a regular party at the house of literary critic Hrant Tamrazyan. After drinking several cups the host together with his guests, Hrachya Kochar and historian Vladimir Darbinyan, started performing patriotic songs. And then just at the table they started conversations about May victories and the Battle of Sardarapat.
Hrachya Kochar proposes to build a memorial complex. The idea reaches the First Secretary of the Central Committee Anton Kochinyan, and Rafael Israelyan gets an assignment of a memorial complex.The construction starts in 1965, the solemn opening takes place on May 25, 1968.
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The National Museum of Armenian Ethnography and History of Liberal Struggle has completed the episodes of construction of the memorial complex and museum, there is also a permanent exhibition telling about Rafael Israelyan.
We are presenting some of more notable exhibits.
1.Some initial sketches
The Museum of Sardarapat is a complex with 6500 sq/m area and is comprised of several halls.The separate exhibition dedicated to the Battle of Sardarapat is of special significance in the museum, and the excursion starts just from here.
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The construction of the museum started in the year of the opening of the memorial complex, 1968, lasted 10 years. The building was handed to exploitation in February 1978, when Rafael Israyelyan had already died.
2. Armenian Food
The exhibition opened in the 1980s presents the process of making lavash (Armenian bread), the traditions of Armenian hospitality and national dishes.
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3. Hunting Accessories
A separate exhibition in the museum is dedicated to arms and hunting accessories. Samples of weapons of the 19-20th centuries are presented collected from the regions of Tavush, Syunik and Aragatsotn.
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4. Belts of different districts
In the 18-20th centuries the belt occupied an important place in the wardrobe of men and women. They did not differ much from each other; some types of belts could be used both by women and men. The silver samples amaze up today by their beauty and mastery of making.
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5. Exceptional samples of decoration art
Besides agricultural and household items, weapons and other objects used in our everyday life, as well as toiletry are presented in the museum. The necklaces made of colorful stones are eye-pleasing even in the 21st century.
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6. Bible, 1666, Amsterdam
Guides present one of the masterpieces of the early Armenian printing, the Bible published in Amsterdam, with special respect
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7. Agricultural Items
Agriculture was quite advanced in Armenia in the 2nd millennium BC. The objects excavated from different regions present the everyday life of villagers and the developed agriculture.
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8. Vardan Jaghinyan’s telescope
Commander of the first battalion of the 5th brigade Vardan Jaghinyan, who participated in the Battle of Sardarapat, often used this telescope. How could the commander know that his telescope would become a museum exhibit after one century?
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9. Navasard Veziryan’s gun “Mosin”
Many of the weapons kept in the museum are in fine state up to now. The gun “Mosin” is the symbol of the 19th-century liberation movement. They were used in the Battle of Sardarapat, too.
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10. Hovhannes Baloyan’s gun called “Mauzer”
The German gun “Mouzer” belonged to participant of the heroic battles Hovhannes Baloyan.
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