Podmootiun

13/03/2024

Today we celebrate the birthday of Yeghishe Charents, one of the greatest poets in Armenian literature. Listen to episode 33 of Podmootiun to learn more about Charents , his complicated life and an amazing legacy.
Spotify; https://open.spotify.com/episode/4N0TBfhMsAPovWC9f3YxfZ?si=QL5Yl_dZQnyYH6dyQXzYiQ
Image credit: Armenia

29/02/2024

King Pap... Not to be confused with King Bob the Minion
He is one of the most interesting characters of Armenian history. His legacy is still a subject of study and more understanding.
Listen to the episode here: https://shorturl.at/krvP5
You may find Podmootiun on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

31/01/2024

King Pap. He made an appearance in our episode on Arshak II, but now we’re telling his story. His reign was only about 5 years, but there’s plenty of Persians, Romans, and Mamikonians. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 37 - King Pap. He made an appearance in our episode on Arshak II, but now we’re telling his story. His reign was only about 5 years, but there’s plenty of Persians, Romans, and Mamikonians. G

31/12/2023

We want to thank all our 2023 listeners. Here's to a great year of Armenian history podcasting in 2024!

Happy New Year! Shnorhavor Nor Dari!

28/12/2023

Episode 36 - Nor Julfa. Also called Nor Jugha and New Julfa, this city in Iran has an interesting story and history. We talk about the original city of Julfa in Nakhichevan, why Shah Abbas moved over a hundred thousand Armenians to be near his imperial capital, and how some Armenian families of New Julfa became known even in the Far East. Are you from New Julfa? Tell us more about it!

Episode 36 - Nor Julfa. Also called Nor Jugha and New Julfa, this city in Iran has an interesting story and history. We talk about the original city of Julfa in Nakhichevan, why Shah Abbas moved over

29/11/2023

Episode 35 - Sayat Nova. Gusan, troubadour, itinerant bard. We talk about the life, loves and music of one of our greatest poets. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 35 - Sayat Nova. Gusan, troubadour, itinerant bard. We talk about the life, loves and music of one of our greatest poets. Get updates and more on www.facebook.com/podmootiun/, and don’t forget

17/08/2023

Here's Hetoum and Zabel on a silver Armenian tram (with a lion on the reverse). Not a great picture but probably better than her driver's license photo would have been.

17/08/2023

As the daughter of Levon the Great, and grandmother to a grand total of 5 kings, this Cilician queen is the only Armenian queen to make it onto a coin. But despite leaving quite a legacy, her life wasn’t exactly easy. We cover it all on this episode, including who Gundstable was. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 34 - Queen Zabel. As the daughter of Levon the Great, and grandmother to a grand total of 5 kings, this Cilician queen is the only Armenian queen to make it onto a coin. But despite leaving qu

10/07/2023

Episode 33 - Yeghishe Charents. Who was Yeghishe Charents? We were both surprised to learn the answer. Living during the pivotal and chaotic world of the early 20th Century, Charents captured the spirit of the Armenian people in his poetry. He also suffered a lot. We cover it all in this episode. What’s your favorite Charents poem?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 33 - Yeghishe Charents. Who was Yeghishe Charents? We were both surprised to learn the answer. Living during the pivotal and chaotic world of the early 20th Century, Charents captured the spir

30/03/2023

Here's an image of a coronation tram struck in commemoration of the coronation of King Levon I in 1198.

30/03/2023

Episode 32 - Coronation of Levon the Great. In this episode we talk about the coronation of the first king of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia in January of 1198 AD. Find out about the events that lead to this crowning, why he’s called “the king of great works”, and why Barbarossa plays a role in Armenian history. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 32 - Coronation of Levon the Great. In this episode we talk about the coronation of the first king of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia in January of 1198 AD. Find out about the events that lead

22/02/2023

Some images of the Erebuni fortress in Yerevan.
You may see the museum on the hill as well which features many object from the Urartian times. Urartian tablet of King Argishti describing the foundation of the fortress.
Learn more by listing to our latest episode on Erebuni:
Find Podmootiun on Souncloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
🎧https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-31-erebuni?si=d96ce4c567fb4ad2bb8ccaa5bc4463b4&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing&fbclid=IwAR2rnvKQ_g8cr8jjwwAnvSUvJJ4U_2z8zStypBkK_5mgoexDSM0Lun6icFk

17/02/2023

New episode alert!

Erebuni. This Bronze Age fortress not only overlooks Yerevan, it’s the reason the modern Armenian capital is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Founded in 782 BC by the Urartian king Argishti, this is the story of Yerevan long before they built the Cascade. Have you been to the museum at Erebuni? Share your experience with us, and don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review (which helps more people find Podmootiun).

Episode 31 - Erebuni. This Bronze Age fortress not only overlooks Yerevan, it’s the reason the modern Armenian capital is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Founded in 782 BC by th

12/01/2023

Happy 2023, we’re back! And we’re talking about the Battle of Sardarabad. This important battle site is also an important stop on most tours of Armenia. We talk about the events that led up to this battle, the heroes involved, what happened in the aftermath, and why it’s important to remember battles like this today. Have you been to Sardarabad?

Note: This episode was recorded in August of 2022, before the recent attacks on Armenia and blockade of the Lachin corridor.

Episode 30 - Battle of Sardarabad. This important battle site is also an important stop on most tours of Armenia. We talk about the events that led up to this battle, the heroes involved, what happene

27/06/2022

Our hosts tell us their experiences of being Armenians who live in America, and what it means to them. Plus, we talk about food, culture, pronouncing Armenian last names, what it’s like to grow up Armenian in a small community, and why the Armenians didn’t invent baseball.

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-29-being-armenian-american?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

26/05/2022

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-28-arshak-ii?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Episode 28 - Arshak II. A beautiful queen, an angry Persian shah, and the Castle of Oblivion—the story of this Armenian king is so tragic, it has its own opera. With a vibrant cast of characters and many twists and turns, it starts out as a story about an Armenian king who has to keep the Romans and Persians happy and ends up as a haunting precursor for the Battle of Avarayr. But it’s not all sad. What’s your favorite part of Arshak’s story? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review.

02/05/2022

Well it's a little late, but it's here! Episode 27 - City of Ani.

The City of 1,001 Churches, Ani was a medieval Armenian capital on the Silk Road. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, famous for its impressive ruins, and a popular girl’s name. The site of Ani is now in Turkey, but did you know it’s only 400 meters from the Armenian border? If you know an Ani, you should listen to this episode.

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-27-city-of-ani?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Episode 27 - City of Ani. The City of 1,001 Churches, Ani was a medieval Armenian capital on the Silk Road. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, famous for its impressive ruins, and a popu

04/04/2022

Episode 26 - Kingdom of Cilicia

The Silk Road, the Crusades, the Mongols, and the last Armenian king…the story of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia has it all. There’s King Levon, who was friends with Richard the Lionheart of England. There’s Queen Zabel, the only Armenian queen on a coin. And there’s King Hetoum II who abdicated (twice!) to become a Franciscan monk. And we haven’t even gotten to the reason why the Catholicos moved there. It’s all in this packed episode. Got a favorite part of Cilician history?

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-26-kingdom-of-cilicia?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The Silk Road, the Crusades, the Mongols, and the last Armenian king…the story of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia has it all. There’s King Levon, who was friends with Richard the Lionheart of England.

22/02/2022

Armenian Emperors of Byzantium
Episode 25
Find Podmootiun on Souncloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
🔈 https://bit.ly/3s8Jt0R

21/02/2022

Did you know that an Armenian sat on the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire? In fact, more than a dozen Byzantine Emperors claimed Armenian origin. We take you through some of the highlights. Who’s your favorite Armenian Emperor of Byzantium? (Hopefully you’ll have one after listening to this episode)!

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-25-armenian-emperors-of-byzantium?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Episode 25 - Armenian Emperors of Byzantium. Did you know that an Armenian sat on the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire? In fact, more than a dozen Byzantine Emperors claimed Armenian origin. We take

01/01/2022

Happy New Year! Start 2022 with our latest Episode, all about the Armenian Language.

What’s the different between Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian and Karapar (Classical Armenian)? What’s the closest language related to Armenian? Where did it all begin? Find out in this episode. Don't forget to like and subscribe, and leave us a review!

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-24-armenian-language?si=e4d45c2f9e904a8f939bbe26b908b33e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Episode 24 - Armenian Language and its Origins. Paree yegak/Bari Galust/Welcome to an episode about the Armenian language. What’s the different between Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian and Karapar (

27/10/2021

Officially known as the Mesrob Mashdots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, this complex in Yerevan is the largest repository of Armenian manuscripts. In this episode we talk about all our favorite parts, and the statues that stand out front. Can you name them? Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review!

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-23-the-matenadaran?si=70d4198071444362ad2678ff9dccf6f1

Episode 23 - The Matenadaran. Officially known as the Mesrob Mashdots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, this complex in Yerevan is the largest repository of Armenian manuscripts. In this episode we ta

25/08/2021

Here are some Radio Yerevan jokes (including the one I was trying to tell in our latest episode). Share your favorite below.

Radio Yerevan was asked: "Could an atomic bomb destroy our beloved town, Yerevan, with its splendid buildings and beautiful gardens ?"

Radio Yerevan answered: "In principle, yes. But Moscow is by far a more beautiful city."

Radio Yerevan was asked: "Does one get 10 years of prison for saying that Brezhnev is an idiot?"

Radio Yerevan answered: "In principle yes, because that's a state secret."

Radio Yerevan was asked: "Why did they establish a Ministry of Navy in landlocked Armenia. Do you have a sea?"

Radio Yerevan answered: "To spite Azerbaijan. They established a Ministry of Culture."

25/08/2021

Episode 22 - Soviet Armenia. For 70 years, Armenia was a part of the USSR. In this episode, we talk through some of the history, some of the culture, and some of the effects of those years. What are some of your favorite memories of Soviet Armenia?

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-22-soviet-armenia

Episode 22 - Soviet Armenia. For 70 years, Armenia was a part of the USSR. In this episode, we talk through some of the history, some of the culture, and some of the effects of those years. What are s

25/07/2021

Episode 21 - First Republic of Armenia. Also known as “The 1,000 Day Republic”, it served as the first time Armenian had an independent country since the Middle Ages, and was the foundation for the current (third) republic of Armenia. Can you guess what the second republic was? Don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review.

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-21-first-republic-of-armenia

Episode 21 - First Republic of Armenia. Also known as “The 1,000 Day Republic”, it served as the first time Armenian had an independent country since the Middle Ages, and was the foundation for the cu

25/06/2021

Learn more about Armenian national epic, David of Sasoun, Saountsi David in our latest episode of Podmootiun.
Find Podmootiun on Souncloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-20-david-of-sassoun?fbclid=IwAR1l_emkWHtHDynz7dK4bhsgN3rJcBlDTxRWjVBipsWY_PurCZXNuTeVKPg

22/06/2021

Episode 20 - David of Sassoun. An epic episode for the Armenian national epic. The character of David is just one cycle in the larger, longer epic medieval tale known as the Daredevils of Sassoun. In this episode, we share our favorite parts of the epic. What’s your favorite part? Leave a comment.

https://soundcloud.com/user-14228930/episode-20-david-of-sassoun

The Armenian History Podcast. Father Tadeos Barseghyan and Peter Hajinian are two friends who found that every time they got together, they’d end up talking about Armenian history. There must be other

02/06/2021

Here's John Malkovich, reciting Prayer 94 by St. Gregory of Narek. Do you have a favorite prayer from the Book of Lamentations? Leave it in the comments below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOyJ7meOKQA

A prayer written by Grigor Narekatsi, an Armenian mystical poet, monk, and theologian, is recited by Academy Award nominee John Malkovich and accompanied by ...