“History, Art, Icon: Vartanantz and the Armenian Nation” exhibit will open at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) on Feb 17 with a lecture by curator Gary Lind-Sinanian "When Life gives Lemons: the Armenian Victory of Vartanantz".
Although Napoleon Bonaparte once noted that "History is written by the winners", the experience of losing can be just as central to a people's self identity. The crushing defeat of Armenians at the battle of Vartanantz by an invading Persian army in 451 CE has become the most important battle in Armenian history, defining a people and a culture for future generations, ALMA says in a press release.
The exhibit will showcase Vartanantz as a symbol of Armenian determination, martyrdom and heroism through paintings, publications and other media.
The lecture will explore the process of transforming historic defeats into symbolic victories at Avarayr, Masada, the Alamo, Bunker Hill and comparable events.
