“Mountain Island”: One of a Kind
Mountains have always inspired and captivated people. Mysterious giants, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable views. The book I am about to tell you about is filled with facts about the mountains of the Armenian Highlands. It brings together mountain legends that have been passed down through the centuries, routes to the most famous peaks, and numerous stunning photographs that will help you experience the incredible beauty of these mountains.
Mountaineering is perhaps considered the most romantic of all sports. Yet behind that romance lies the immense challenge of overcoming countless difficulties. The book “Mountain Island” is the result of exactly those challenges. Every mountain featured in its pages has been personally explored through hiking expeditions, while information from numerous sources has been carefully compiled to enrich the content.
The author of the book, founder of the Armenian Geographic project, hiker, and mountaineer Tigran Varag had already said, while publishing his first book, that the next one—“Mountain Island”—would be far more comprehensive.
“I realized that presenting only the Republic of Armenia without the Armenian Highlands leaves the story incomplete. Nearly all of our historical records about mountains are located in Western Armenia. You have probably noticed that the traditions, legends, and stories about our mountains have also come from that region. The book will consist of two parts. One will tell the story of the mountains of Western Armenia, while the other will be an expanded and revised edition of this very book.”
Below is Tigran’s interview, presented in the form of a monologue.
The Response
The response exceeded all expectations. People who purchased the book began posting about it on social media without being asked and recommended it to their friends. That meant a great deal to me. It is one thing when you say your own work is good, but it is completely different when someone else buys it and publicly says that it is worth reading. Imagine—they enjoyed it so much that they wanted others to own a copy as well.
"Mountain Island" Is the Only One of Its Kind in Armenian History
I realized this only recently; previously, I had never thought about it in that way.
Throughout thousands of years of Armenian history, books have been written about almost every imaginable subject. Yet despite being a mountainous country, we have never had a book dedicated specifically to mountains.
“Mountain Island” is the only book in Armenian history devoted entirely to mountains.
Of course, there have been publications covering their general physical and geographical characteristics—rivers, lakes, and landscapes—but there has never been a specialized book focusing on mountain peaks themselves. That is what makes this publication unique.
Beyond Armenia's Borders
The book is bilingual, published in both Armenian and English. From the very beginning, it was intended to travel beyond Armenia’s borders.
There are countless people around the world who are passionate about mountains, and the English edition allows them to read and enjoy the book as well.
The Book Is Traveling
Several schools have already acquired “Mountain Island.” It will be available in their libraries for students to use.
(Author’s note: In our previous interview, Tigran shared his wish: “I want these books to find their place in libraries, both in Yerevan and throughout the regions. I am not pursuing a commercial goal.”)
The book has reached Gyumri, Kapan, Yeghegnadzor, Vanadzor, Khndzoresk, Dilijan, and many other communities. It has also been shipped to the United States and Canada.
I Needed a Book Like This
I personally needed a book like this. Whenever I became interested in mountains, I had to search everywhere, collecting scattered bits of information from different sources.
I decided to gather everything in one place so that anyone wishing to learn about the mountains could find it here. Over the years, I collected as much information as possible: books of legends, coordinates, historical names—I rediscovered and presented them all in this book.
No one else needs to go through the same long journey that I did. Everything is already here. There is still a great deal of work ahead.
This book contains only part of the information about the mountains of the Armenian Highlands. There are still many valuable sources waiting to be collected.
Vakhtang Ananyan's Books Led Me to Nature
I grew up in Yerevan, and we didn’t have a village. Several generations of my family have lived in the city.
I had no connection with nature and constantly asked my parents,
“Why don’t we have a village?”
During summer vacations, the children from our neighborhood would go to their villages and later come back with stories to tell.
I was bored in Yerevan. It wasn’t exciting.
Then, through school assignments, I discovered the books of Vakhtang Ananyan.
It was thanks to him that I found nature.
I read his books with complete fascination, living through every sentence.
Ten Years of Work
This book represents ten years of work. And it was not created solely behind a desk. We have personally visited every single summit featured in the book. The photographs were carefully selected to best express the story of each mountain.
They are not only taken from the foothills but also from the summits, along the trails, and during the ascents. I wanted to present the entire journey.
A Vintage Cover
Publishing the book felt like completing military service.
Throughout your service, you imagine that when it finally ends, your heart will burst with joy. But when the moment actually arrives, it simply feels natural as if it could not have happened any other way. I wanted the book to have a serious and vintage appearance. The moment I saw the cover, I knew it was exactly what I had envisioned. Even if it is republished, I would not change a single thing.
Online Sales
You can purchase the book at the Armenian Geographic office. We also offer online sales. Delivery is free throughout Yerevan and the regions of Armenia.
The book is also available at Zangak, Artbridge, and Epigraph bookstores.
Armenian Geographic
In a few days, we are leaving for Kilimanjaro. Our next project is “The Seven Highest Volcanoes of the World.” We have already climbed Damavand and Elbrus. Only four remain.
Photos by Tigran Varag and Armenian Geographic.
