Exploring Armenian-Iranian Heritage: A Cultural and Linguistic Field Study
1 week, from Mar 29, 2026 to Apr 04, 2026

Discover the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between Armenia and Iran in this immersive field study (March 29 – April 4, 2026). Participants will explore ancient temples, royal mausoleums, and museums that trace centuries of Iranian influence across the region. By combining daily site visits with active Persian language practice, this course offers a unique opportunity to strengthen linguistic skills while engaging directly with the shared heritage of the South Caucasus.

Armenia and Iran share centuries of profound historical interaction, visible in architecture, religion, and language. This field trip offers a unique opportunity to explore these deep connections—from the pre-Zoroastrian period to modern times—while actively practicing the Persian language.

This course moves the classroom to the field. Participants will visit significant sites daily, tracing Iranian influence in Armenia. The program combines historical exploration with immersive language practice, allowing students to expand their vocabulary (specifically regarding history, culture, and religion) and communicate confidently in real-world contexts.

Methodology

To maximize educational value, the course utilizes a three-step daily structure:

Pre-Visit (Bus Session): Instructors provide historical context and review key technical vocabulary.

On-Site Engagement: Interactive guided tours where students apply vocabulary, ask questions, and engage in discussions in Persian.

Reflection: Daily Q&A sessions to reinforce comprehension and language retention.

Itinerary & Highlights

March 27-28: Arrival and Introductory Meeting

Day 1: March 29 – Religious Syncretism & Diversity

Sites: Yezidi Temple (Aknalich), Echmiadzin Cathedral, and the Turkmen Emir’s Tomb.

Focus: Exploring the coexistence of Yezidism, Christianity, and Islam in Armenia. We will examine the Iranian linguistic roots of the Yezidi community and the layers of history at Echmiadzin (built atop a fire temple) and the Kara Koyunlu mausoleum.

Day 2: March 30 – Pre-Christian Roots

Sites: Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery.

Focus: Investigating the synthesis of Hellenistic and Iranian Zoroastrian influences. We will discuss the worship of Mihr (Mithra) at Garni and the sacred landscape of Geghard, which reflects pre-Christian Iranian worldview concepts.

Day 3: March 31 – The Arsacid Legacy & Epic Culture

Sites: Khor Virap Monastery.

Evening Event: Opera “Rostam and Sohrab” by Loris Tjeknavorian.

Focus: Visiting the site of Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment to understand the shift from Parthian-Iranian ties to Christianity. In the evening, we experience the Persian epic Shahnameh through the lens of celebrated Armenian-Iranian composer Loris Tjeknavorian.

Day 4: April 1 – Royal Ancestry

Sites: Arsacid Kings Mausoleum in Aghdzk.

Focus: Exploring the burial ground of the Armenian Arsacids (a branch of the Parthian royal house). The site highlights how Iranian concepts of kingship and ancestry were embedded in Armenian political life.

Day 5: April 2 – Language & Identity

Sites: Oshakan Church.

Focus: A visit to the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots, inventor of the Armenian alphabet. We will discuss how the creation of the script preserved cultural sovereignty during a time of competing imperial pressures.

Day 6: April 3 – Imperial History & Cultural Survival

Sites: Yerevan Fortress (remnants), Yerevan History Museum.

Special Event: Screening of Cup of Salvation

Focus: Tracing the Safavid and Qajar administration of Yerevan. The course concludes with a documentary screening on the preservation of Iranian wine heritage and cultural memory in exile.

April 4: Departure.