Ani PaitjanIn the Armenian folk tale Hazaran Blbul, or The Bird of a Thousand Songs, a magical bird falls silent when it is taken away from the person who rescued it. It only begins to sing again when harmony is restored.
This story is now at the heart of a new book exploring the deep connections between Armenian culture, nature, and knowledge passed down through generations.
Supported by the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme in Armenia, The Bird of a Thousand Songs brings together 40 essays exploring how nature has shaped Armenian traditions, from medicinal plants and ancient rituals to carpets, music, and crafts.
As Yerevan hosts COP17, the UN Biodiversity Conference, this project asks a bigger question: can the knowledge preserved in Armenia’s cultural heritage help protect nature today?
Sirarpi Khojabaghyan, President of Karota, the Armenian cultural and educational NGO behind the project, joins CivilNeto to discuss the tales that shaped the interactions between Armenians and nature.
