Main content

Armenia's lost garden

Meet Azat-landlord of the most famous pub in "Artsakh", a country no UN member recognised. How are he and its 100,000 other people coping after their extraordinary mass exodus?

For three decades Armenians ruled Karabakh 鈥 literally 鈥淏lack Garden鈥 鈥 an unrecognised statelet inside neighbouring Azerbaijan. Many saw it as the cradle of their civilisation. But as Azerbaijan retook control last autumn, the entire population fled in just a few days. It was a historic catastrophe for Armenia. But the world barely noticed. How is Armenia coping with its loss? Can 100,000 refugees rebuild their lives? And will the cycle of hatred that caused the conflict ever be broken? Grigor Atanesian reports.

Produced by Tim Whewell
Studio mix: James Beard
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Series Editor: Penny Murphy

(Image: 19-year-old Alen Vardanyan (grave in foreground) was one of about 10,000 Armenians killed in battles over Nagorno-Karabakh in the last 35 years. Credit: Tim Whewell/麻豆视频AV)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Apr 2024 15:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Apr 2024 01:32GMT
  • Tue 23 Apr 2024 08:32GMT
  • Tue 23 Apr 2024 19:06GMT
  • Sat 27 Apr 2024 22:32GMT
  • Sun 28 Apr 2024 15:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes