Cleveland Cultural Gardens

3. Armenian Garden (2010)

Dedicated September 19th, 2010, the Armenian Cultural Garden celebrates the distinctive identity of the Armenian people.

Designed by architect Berj A. Shakarian, the site plan is devised in the form of the "vesica piscis", a sacred geometric symbol representing Christ and by extension the conversion of Armenia as the first Christian nation in 301 CE. The "Alphabet" monument symbolizes the centrality of the Armenian language in creating the Armenian state. In order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians, St. Mesrop Mashtots invented the alphabet circa 404 CE. According to the Armenian delegation, "The garden's divinely inspired script is the 'secret code' that defines the unique Armenian identity."

"Alphabet" is composed of staggered granite blocks, representing both the turbulent history of the Armenian people and the ruggedly beautiful landscape of Armenia and the Caucasus region. The reverse side of the monument is inscribed with "Pride of a Nation" listing the anglicized names of 33 men and women, noted for their historical and cultural contributions to the Armenian nation as briefly stated next to each name. These important Armenians' lives span history from antiquity to the 21st century, from the king Tigran the Great to the journalist Hrant Dink.

Additional Items

No essays and documents available for this garden.

Links

Armenian General Benevolent Union

Library of Congress, Near Eastern Collections: Armenia and Georgia

Latest News

Art and Sculpture Inventory

Title	Artist	Date	Description
Armenian Alphabet	Berj Shakarian	2009	The "Alphabet" monument symbolizes the centrality of the Arm...
Vesica Piscis	Berj Shakarian	2010	The site plan is devised in the form of the "vesica piscis",...
Pride of a Nation	Berj Shakarian	2010	Pride of a Nation" lists the anglicized names of 33 men a...
Bozoklian's Tree	not germane	2011	"Ivory Silk" tree lilac (syringa reticulata) planted in memo...