Обзор

The volunteers will be involved in the preservation of the church and its surrounding monuments.

Полное описание

Zorats church (“Soldier Church”) is located in the Vayots Dzor district, in the Eastern part of Yeghegis village on a hill overlooking the river. It was built in 1303 by archbishop Stepanos – a grandson of Prince Tarsaiyich Orbelian. Recent excavations around Zorats Church have uncovered a number of foundations, well preserved walls and window casings from early medieval times, when a monastery was established on the place. Zorats Church is completely unique among Armenian churches; no other similar structures have been conserved in the whole country: it was created in a special way to enable warriors sitting on their horses to receive the sacrament and the blessing of the church before leaving to battle. The blessing of troops and their horses before battle were commonplace, but no other church in Armenia was built exactly for that purpose, and with the idea of bringing both steed and soldier into the outdoor sanctuary. The church and the cemetery were surrounded by walls. A number of rough tomb stones lie on the ground in front of the church, and they are quite revealing; each bears a carefully carved eye hole at one end. The purpose for these holes is unclear, though researchers believe the stones are ancient and that they suggest this is a very old worship site, converted to Christian use at an early age. Other stones are from later periods; including several nicely carved khachkars (“cross stones”). The project will be very intensive and consist of two parts – a practical working part and a study part. The practical working part, which will be at different parts of the site, will last six hours per day. In the evenings and during the weekend, educational and cultural activities will take place. The project will include various preservation, cleaning and maintenance activities at Zorats Church and its direct surroundings. The main focus will lie on the consolidation and preservation of the fortification walls and the ruins of the former buildings in front of the church. Beside that, the roof of the church which is covered by flagstones will be cleaned from vegetation, loosened flagstones fixed and damaged parts repaired. Finally, under the supervision of local expert tomb stones and cross stones will be cleaned, re-erected and fixed. Within the framework of the educational part the volunteers will participate in workshops and presentations, discuss with locals, heritage administration and churchmen the importance of heritage preservation. They will also gain knowledge about Armenian heritage, local history and regional traditions. During the project guided tours and excursions will be organized to nearby located heritage sites of the region as for instance to the “Birds’ Cave” where archaeologists found a 5.500 years old leather show, the oldest known leather shoe in the world.

Кто нужен

Знание языков

English

Дополнительная информация

Participants have to take part for the whole time of the project. Be informed, that during all projects the work will take place also on rainy and cold days and be prepared for that. The working language of the project is English.

Что делать

Дополнительная информация

The working part is 6 hours per day.

Условия

Подробнее об условиях

The accommodation with shared space in a wooden house with toilets in former school is provided. The meals will be prepared together as they are part of the community life, what means that every participant will be responsible for the meal at least once during its stay. So it would be very nice if the participants could bring typical recipes from home in order to introduce each other to the preparation of food from all over the world. All costs linked to the project are covered, including food, accommodation, insurance and transportation during the stay at the project. Nevertheless individual travel insurance is also recommended to be bought by a participant. Travel costs to and from the camp place, visa costs are not covered. Participants should organize their journey to and from the project place by themselves and on their own expenses. Furthermore participants should bring their own pocket money.

Дополнительные условия

Дополнительная информация

This is a European Heritage Volunteers Partner Project organized by the Service of the Protection of Historical Environment and Cultural Museum Reserves of the Republic of Armenia. The project combines practical work for the preservation or restoration of a cultural heritage site with an extensive educational part that gives the theoretical background for the hands-on works and provides deeper heritage linked knowledge. The camp place is situated in a small village in rural area, so the participants should not expect busy places and normal city activities for the leisure time during the working days. Small trips in walking distance are possible in the afternoon. On the weekends it is possible to organize an excursion to nearby cities or to have other leisure activities.