ARS Tsiran Explores Armenian Manuscripts and Embroidery
From bookbinding to embroidery: ARS Tsiran explores Armenian Crafts
The Armenian Relief Society's Tsiran Chapter in Manhattan hosted a workshop combining medieval manuscript scholarship with traditional needlework. Held May 5 at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, the event featured medievalist Tamar Marie Boyadjian discussing the history of Armenian scripts, bookbinding techniques, and the mystery of Armenian end bands—decorative spine elements so complex their original construction method remains unknown.
Mariam Karapetyan, a Washington-based embroidery artist, led participants through Marash embroidery, a traditional Armenian needlework practice. Organizers emphasized connections between the two crafts, with Boyadjian noting parallels between written and stitched artistic expression. Karapetyan stressed the importance of practicing traditional techniques to preserve Armenian cultural heritage beyond mere memory.
