Armenia appears on various maps dating back to the first known cartographic document, a clay tablet depicting the world as it was known to the Babylonians. The ups and downs of Armenian history can be charted on countless maps created over the last 2,500 years. Rouben Galichian of London, England, has brought together in one volume, Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage, some 100 maps, many extremely rare.

        In an illustrated lecture and book signing on Thursday, December 2, at 8:00 p.m., at the Center and Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass, Galichian will give the book its North American launch and share insights into the book’s creation and what it reveals about Armenian history.

        Some thirty years ago, Rouben Galichian started collecting maps and studying literature on general cartography, and especially about the cartography of the region of Armenia. Several years ago he decided to collate his own studies and the available multitude of maps of Armenia in worldwide sources and create Historic Maps of Armenia. The maps are not only often visually striking works of art in their own right but also of vital historical interest.

        In today’s highly-charged political atmosphere the book gains further importance, since much of its contents pertain directly to the modern-day relationship of Armenia with her neighbors, and, in particular, the ongoing debates about the Armenian homeland.

        Turkish and Azeri academicians have claimed that the Armenians are only relative newcomers to the area known as Historic Armenia. Turkish historians deliver lectures about the ancient culture of Turkey, with no mention of Armenia or Armenians, whose lands they occupied after the tenth and eleventh centuries. Some Azeri “historians” also claim that the Armenians of the Caucasus area inhabit the land that has always been that of the “Caucasian Albanians,” from whom the Azeris claim descent. Using various geographic and cartographic resources, Galichian will present and discuss maps that demonstrate the contrary.

        Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage will be on sale in the NAASR bookstore and available for signing by the author.

        Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and Headquarters is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building and in adjacent areas.