Rila Monastery - BULGARIA

The Rila Monastery is located in 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain.
The monastery is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has an unique architecture. Outside, the monastery looks like a fortress. It has 24-meter stone walls which forms irregular pentagon. That’s why when some tourist enters the monastery’s yard from some of the two iron gates he is surprised by its architecture: arches and colonnades, covered wooden stairs and carved verandas and the 300-400 monastic cells. The Hreliov’s tower and the main church “The Nativity of the Virgin” cohabit at the center of the yard. This tower was created by the local feudal lord Hrelio in 1334-1335. A small church stays next to it and it is only a couple of years younger (1343). A bell-tower was added to the tower in 1844. The main church “The Nativity of the Virgin” was built in these times. Its architect is a master Peter Ivanovich, who worked on it in 1834-1837. The temple has five domes, three altars and two chapels. Maybe the most important thing in the church is the iconostasis which has incredible wood-carving. The wall-paintings were completed in 1846 by many masters from Bulgaria, but only Zahary Zagraph signed his paintings. In the church there are lots of icons created in XIV-XIX.

Pentru mai multe detalii accesati:

http://www.rilamonastery.pmg-blg.com/

Makine Andrei ... trecere in revista ...

Salutam initiativa ziarului "Cotidianul" de a ne tine in priza cu ce se intampla in viata culturala. Pe langa CD-urile, cartile care ni le ofera, echipa "Cotidianul" surprinde in continuare. Este vorba despre textul: "Andrei Makine se intoarce la firul ierbii", aparut astazi, 2 aprilie 2008.

Asadar, recomand cu caldura tuturor celor care mai citesc astazi, in aceasta lume a haosului, a morbidului romanele lui Makine. Plecat din Rusia, premiat in Franta cu Goncourt, il incadram in generatia tanara a exilatilor scriitori rusi. Textul cu pricina ne vorbeste despre cartea "Fiica unui Erou al Uniunii Sovietice", recent tradusa in limba romana de Ileana Cantuniari. Trebuie precizat, inca din capul locului faptul ca aceasta carte este debutului lui Andrei Makine.

A copilarit in Siberia, iar aceasta "zona" de subterana i-a lasat in minte imagini feerice, magice. Pentru a vedea si a simti proza, daca putem spune, feerica, magica nu trebuie sa ratam citirea romanului: "Femeia care asteapta". Gasim acolo un personaj cu seve de "underground" numit Vera. "Barca", "zapada", "soarele care nu mai rasare", dar si "trupurile ciopartite" de razboi ne transpun intr-o lume aparte, usor de intrat, in cazul in care punem mana pe cartile lui Makine, greu de iesit ulterior. Imi aduc aminte, citez din memorie, "un colt paradisiac e inima noastra", spunea, nu demult Makine intr-un interviu, poate singurul aparut la noi. Putin, foarte putin constientizam cat de paradisiaca este inima pe care o avem. "Testamentul Francez" este un alt roman al lui Makine care chiar a adus lacrimi foarte multe, da, lacrimi si lacrimi de copil, de elev. Nu vreau sa scriu mai multe, ci mai fac o simpla trimitere pentru a intelege, poate nu numai eu, ..., poate si altii ca: "Frumusetea va salva lumea". O lectie de predat oricarui OM. A predat-o deja profesorul F.M. Dostoievski.

http://www.cotidianul.ro/andre___makine_se_intoarce_la_firul_ierbii-42358.html

In sfarsit, s-a decis

Asta-noapte, la ora 1,45, "judecatorii fotbalului" au decis! Au acordat trei puncte Stelei! Si fotbalul deja nu se mai joaca pe teren. Aceasta de aseara! Este injust sa acorzi 3 puncte echipei care nu merita, dar suporterii rapidisti au comis-o! Asteptam sa vedem daca acestia se vor linisti. Mai toata lumea sustine ca s-a procedat corect si nu se va mai intampla ca suporterii sa arunce cu "brichete", de exemplu, pe teren!

Imi aduc aminte, ca in urma cu exact 3 ani de zile, s-a jucat in Dealul Copoului un meci destul de periculos: Poli Iasi - FC National. In tribune s-a scandat foarte negativ la adresa brigadei de arbitri, care, in ultimile secunde ale meciului nu a acordat un fault clar gazdelor si oaspetii s-au desprins castigand trei puncte destul de valoroase. "Tribunele au luat foc, de-mi tineam strans telefonul, un jaf de telefon, sa nu-l arunc pe stadion."

Ei? Nu te infiori cand vezi ca ceva e injust? Sa stiti ca si spectatorii au trairile lor si uneori sunt in stare sa recurga la metode de refulare. Totusi, in acel meci, s-a aruncat si cu brichete, s-au auzit injurii, scandari ce nu pot fi reproduse. Masuri nu s-au luat, iar Iasul a pierdut puncte, spectatorii iesind oarecum suparati din tribune!

Ieri, 28 martie - 2008, timpul s-a oprit in tara noastra si s-a incercat un mic proces de educare a turmei. Pacat ca banii stapanului de stana nu sunt investiti in alte domenii decat in fotbal.

De ce s-a ajuns aici?

Cine este de vina pentru tot ce se intampla in societatea romaneasca!?!

Sa stiti ca maidanul, uneori, este mult mai civilizat decat Giulestiul! Acest lucru il spun raportat la maidanele unde uneori mai merg si mai joc o miuta! Poate ca este nedrept sa acorzi trei puncte Stelei dupa ce ai dominat meciul si ai si inscris un gol "perfect valabil de frumos". De partea cealalta, Zapata ramane providential, Golanski si-a conturat postul de titular, iar pe Nesu nu l-am crezut vreodata ca va ajunge in postura de a inscrie, desi nu a facut-o!

Lovin ... bucuros !?!

Inexplicabila este atitudinea lui Lovin de a se bucura imediat ce arbitrul a fluierat incheierea meciului! Sa te bucuri cand castigi "pe fals"? Este injust! Totusi atitudinea suporterilor rapidisti ramane una de joasa clasa si aici cu totii trebuie sa ne punem un semn de intrebare: Oare unde suntem? In ce epoca suntem? Vom accepta vreodata injectia cu antidot impotriva prostiei proprii? dar cine e in stare sa inceapa aceasta curatenie generala?

Pancu si degetul!!!

Este trist si nedemn sa arati degetul mijlociu intr-un stadion plin ochi! Dar ce sa mai spunem?
La Iasi, in tribune, bine ca nu pe teren, mult mai multe se aud, mult mai multe se gesticuleaza!!! Sa le luam pe rand!

La meciul dintre Ceahlaul si Poli prin jurul meu sa auzeau cuvintele:

"Dulaule pune mah' biciul pe ei!";

"Dulaule ai sa faci rosu-n gat ma!";

"Hizo ai luat adidasii pe dos mai!!!";

"Iesi afara de pe stadion mai Nebunule! Nebunule!!!";

"S-a rupt elasticul la pantaloni ... Hizo... Huuuuuuuuu" - dupa toate aceste ragete, normal, adresate antrenorului de la Ceahlaul Piatra-Neamt, eu (si nu numai eu), ca spectator(i), care trebuia(u) sa stau (stea) acasa!!! as vrea sa vad un public mai elegant, mai civilizat!

Dar de la anul!!!

Armenia, a unique country in the world

Primaveri, primaveri

S-a ascuns!

Asa putin privim cerul!

Norii vor si ei!

Primul pas

Primavara

Spre vii!

Imi aduc aminte de primaverile cand dadeam foc la gunoaiele adunate de pe camp si fumul acela "primavaratec" era inconfundabil. Straduta care ducea spre Casa Bunicii mele, drum vechi, de tara, nu o pot uita. Deasemenea, neuitata este si gradinita cu flori.

Narcisele, lalelele, bujorii asemanatori unor tepi rosii se pregateau sa creasca, iar apoi sa infloreasca. Puii abia iesiti din ou si piuitul lor raman vesnic in minte. Miei abia nascuti si jocul lor pe iarba proaspata te face sa gandesti altfel, sa privesti viata aceasta altfel. Iesiti in camp dragi prieteni in aceasta perioada si "gustati mirosul" ierbii!

Abia acuma incepe primavara!

Armenia, a unique country in the world

Armenian Miniature in Tatev

About a century ago, Armenian illuminated manuscripts attracted the attention of scholars and lovers of art. Since that time intensive studies of medieval Armenian art have been conducted. A unique historical panorama of the art of illumination in Armenia, embracing more than thirteen centuries has been given (the first surviving miniatures date from the VI-VII centuries, while the latest ones were created in the XIX century). The heritage of a number of miniature schools and their outstanding representatives has been studied; the significance of medieval Armenian paining in the history of world art has been revealed.Among the best examples of medieval Armenian illumination are those of the following two manuscripts: codex 7482 1 and 6305 2 of the Mashtots Matenadaran, Grigor Tatevatsi and Anonymous painter of Syunik having participated in their creation. The above-mentioned manuscripts have been created in Syunik, one of the largest regions in historical Armenia. Its eastern frontiers stretched to Artsakh; in the west, to Ayrarat and Vaspurakan; in the north, to Utik and Gugark, and in the south, to the Arax River. The significance of Syunik in respect to the spiritual treasures created there during various periods was not always on the same level. As regards the variety and significance of cultural values whose origin depends upon the general political and socio-economic situation of the country, the most interesting is the post-Arabic period (X-XI cc), which coincides with the rise and flourishing of the Syunik kingdom. Liberation from the Arab yoke and the political independence attained by number of Armenian feudal lords brought about long years of peace and favored the economic and cultural revival of the country. The monastery of Tatev became the center of this new life in the country. In the middle of the XIII century The orbelyans and the Proshyans managed tp improve their position in Syunik, secure privileges ans ensure peace in that region for some decades. While wave of migration swept over the various regions of Armenia, it was quite the contrary in Syunik. Refugees from other regions, robbed and plundered, moved to Syunik in the hope of safety.All that, in turn, created favorable conditions for the development of culture. During the XIII-XIV centuries, the creative activities of many skilled architects, sculptors, talented poets and painters, close to the Orbelyans and Proshyans, unfolded in the cultural centers of Syunik. That was the time when the remarkable Ayrivank with rock-cut churches, the Church of Stitakavor and Noravank were erected. Unprecedented development was noted in the art of relief decorations of secular and lay constructions with great diversity and beauty. New schools were opened. Among them the University of Gladzor was, which became the outstanding center of higher education for all Armenia. The universities of Tatev, Aprakounis and Hermon, which at the same time became well-known centers of manuscript writing and miniature painting, followed it. The origin and the initial period of blossoming of the Tatev center of science dated from the X-Xi centuries. Much valuable information on teaching at the University, the subjects taught at the various departments During Grigor Tatevatsis time, have been preserved. "… There were three departments in the monasteryof Tatev: at one of them a former singer taught religious music of such sweet-sounding melodies that pupils came to him from other towns, from all parts of the country. At the second, drawing and reproductions of scenes were taught, and at the third, religious books and scientific books of Antiquity were Studied, translated and interpreted…"Accepting this chronological evidence that a department of fine arts functioned at Tatev University, we may suppose that a considerable number of illuminated manuscripts were created there in the XIV-XV centuries and quite probably, Tatev had its own school of miniature painting. Unfortunately, it is impossible, at present, to give a complete picture of that school, as only very few of those manuscripts have survived. (The Matenadaran has codices 5303, 7482, 4019, 3104, 3955, 4164 and others.) Only three (5303, 4019, 7482) of those mentioned have sufficient material for research. The rest have only title pages and marginal illustrations. It may safety be said that the creative work at Tatev in the XIV-XV centuries was not free from the Gladzor influence, and furthermore, specific features of the art of Grigor Tatevatsy, headmaster of the University, were characteristic of most of the manuscripts illuminated at Tatev. Such qualities as monumentalize, expressive images, thickly satiated use of reds, blues, violets, profusion of ornaments, continued to exist till the XVI- XVII centuries in those miniature painting centers connected with Tatev.

Armenian Miniature, compiled by Alvida Mirzoyan,Yerevan, 1987, pp. 5–7.

Tatev monastery Floor Plan

1. St. Peter and Paul chuech

2. St. Illuminator church

3. A valuated gallery

4. Bell tower

5. Gavazan swinging pillar

6. Father Superior's chambers

7. The refectiory

8. St. Virgin church

9. Ancient enterance

10. Residentital service premises

11. A spring

12. Creamery

The monuments in the surrounding of Tatev

Tatev St. Minas Church, in the XVII century

St. Gavazan (Column), in 906

St. Virgin Church, in the XI century

The desert on the bank of Vorotan, XVII century

St. Paul and Peter church, in 906

Tatev Famous Monastery, in 895-906

"Devil Bridge" and mineral springs in Tatev

1. "Warm Water: - "Devil Bridge", one of the Armenia's natural marvels is on the Vorotan River. It is a non-handiwork natural roof which hangs over the crazy flow 200 meters long and 150 meters wide. The bridge is made of limestone and stalagmite and has a level surface, warm mineral springs flow out in its separate halls with bubbles. Two abrupt sides of the defile is also made of stalagmite, which hang on the edges of the bridge, with 250-300 meters height rampart from two sides of yellow-redden rocky shore. The cliffs are so close, that they are only 180-20 meters wide. The bridge height from the surface of the river is 1000 meters. The heaped stalagmite columns, the huge stalactites, hang over the river and have a yellow color, but little by little they are starting to green from the foamy water. The stalactites are result of Calcium carbonate and other carbonates dissolved in the mineral water which enters into the river from the cliff. There are other mineral springs in and around "Devil Bridge" area. And the water quantity is daily 500-600 thousands liters. The water temperature is 25 degrees celcius. About the mineral springs in "Devil Bridge" professor A.A. Florensky wrote: " Devil Bridge" springs are natural marvel, which impress with their appropriation and beauty. Over centuries a deposit gathers from the mineral water and two strong banks of an abyss canyon are joined with each other and a noisy Vorotan River is pouring through them. In early times local population couldn't explain the geologic processes considering them the Devil's handiwork, and the bridge as "Devil Bridge". Over centuries people have used the water for treatment of many sicknesses, especially rheumatic. A health resort was built near the mineral water in 1972, which is now a military rest home.There are the following mineral springs in village surround.

2. Quos (scabies) spring on the bank of Vorotan River

3. Mineral water on the bank of Aghandzu River.

4. Mineral water on the bank of Urtuxan River

5. Mineral water on the bank of Zkrvar River"

B. Harutyunyan

An article from the "Armenian nature" journal in 1974, authorized by G. Aghajanyan and G. Karapetyan.

11 mineral springs are registries in Tatev by the geologists. Their watercourse is 11.5 liters per a second. So 993 thousands liters mineral water might be taken per a day.A. Karapetyan studied the effective influence of the water on different sicknesses, and guaranteed for the treatment of number of heart disease. Besides mineral water, Tatev attracts attention to its moderate and mild climate. Air is fresh and rich of ultraviolet rays, sunshine rays, the sunshine reaches 2.150 hours per a year. The fall reaches to 600-660 millimeters, and the winds are insignificant. Tatev is rich of green-flower fields, S, Tatev owing to its are mineral water, mild climate is worth for a special attention, in order to organize healthy-complex hospitals. Those healthy-complexes might be useful for Zangezur population, especially Kapan and Qajaran workers, whose work-conditions are appropriate. Counting the quantity of Tatev mineral water, we suggest to organize healthy-complex as follows: to have 200 health-resort beds, and till 2000 it would increase to 500 ones. So the minimal number of population might be satisfied.For the right decision of the profile of health-resort it is necessary to do clinical investigations.

Translated by Lusine Harutyunyanproof-read by Charlie Ihrke (Peace Corp volunteer)

Armenia, a unique country in the world