Armenia is a small country nestled in the Armenian Highlands at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. The first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion, it is home to rich and resilient cultural traditions, beautiful landscapes, and complex histories. Still, Armenia remains a mystery to many around the world.
My Armenia harnesses the power of storytelling to strengthen cultural heritage sustainability through community-based tourism development. This collaborative project between the people of Armenia, the Smithsonian, and USAID has started in 2016 with work concentrated in five focus regions. This website presents for you the program’s achievements.
Intensive research provided by the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography in Yerevan guides the selection and curation of all My Armenia experiences. You can discover Armenian cultural heritage from numerous perspectives, such as craft, history, ethnography, nature, cultural sites, celebrations and, of course, gastronomy and wine.
By choosing our experiences you contribute directly to the development of local communities and the preservation of cultural heritage.
You can also find helpful resources to learn more about Armenia’s cultural heritage from Smithsonian experts and plan your trip. For craft lovers, we have made a special Buy Local section where you may examine authentic handmade products from Armenian craftsmen.
The My Armenia Program is funded by USAID and implemented by the Smithsonian Institution.
To learn more about My Armenia at the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, visit folklife.si.edu/myarmenia
