Vardan Mamaikonyan

VARDAN MAMIKONYAN——THE GLORIOUS SON OF THE CHINESE AND ARMENIAN NATIONS

Historical Background

From the 1st to the 5th century AD, Armenia was ruled by the Arsacid Dynasty. Starting from the 4th century, the Mamikonyan noble family played a significant role in Armenia, holding the position of supreme military commander for several centuries. According to Armenian historical records, the Mamikonyan family originated from the mysterious "Tchenastan ," which is believed to be China. Historians such as Movses Khorenatsi recorded that the ancestor of the Mamikonyan family, Mamgun, arrived in Armenia during the reign of Arsacid King Tiridates III (287-330) and was granted land and power.
  Vardan Mamikonyan, a member of the Mamikonyan family, is one of the most beloved historical figures in Armenia. He is famous for leading the Armenian people in their struggle against foreign oppression. In 451, he led the Battle of Avarayr, where he courageously sacrificed his life and was later canonized as a saint. The Mamikonyan family played a crucial role in Armenian history, making significant contributions to the country's independence and the people's freedom.
  Some scholars believe that the ancestors of the Mamikonyan family in Armenia came from the Ma Chao family in China. This historical connection has not only had a profound impact on the continuity and development of Armenian civilization but also added a unique romantic dimension to the historical relationship between China and Armenia.

China-Armenia Relations and Cooperation

China and Armenia are both ancient civilizations with a long history, and throughout the course of history, the two countries have established strong economic, cultural, and friendly relations. Located on a plateau, Armenia has historically been an international trade hub, with the famous Silk Road running through its territory.
  On April 6, 1992, China and Armenia established diplomatic relations, and over the 31 years since, the friendly relations between the two Central Asian countries have yielded fruitful results. On March 26, 2015, China and Armenia issued a Joint Statement on Further Developing and Deepening Friendly Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia. The statement emphasized that "the two sides will continue the established relationship based on mutual respect and equality, and steadfastly expand cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural, and other fields, promoting deeper development of friendly cooperation and benefiting the people of both countries." On April 6, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Project Vardan Mamikonyan:

  This project is jointly initiated by the Fund for Regional Development of Chinese-Armenian Relations and its partners, the Yerevan State Theatre and Film Institute and the Center for Transcaucasia Studios at the School of Humanities, Shandong University of Aeronautics. The project focuses on the historical legend of the Mamikonyan family, with the goal of producing a documentary film. The project will leverage the advantages of the internet, using new media, micro-films, short videos, and other forms to achieve efficient dissemination, allowing more people to learn about this history.

Project Significance:

This cultural project aims to promote cultural exchange between China and Armenia, allowing more people to understand and remember history, and use it as a lesson to deepen mutual understanding and friendly relations between the two countries. At the same time, the project will stimulate the development of the cultural industry, further promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and achieve a win-win situation in both social and economic benefits.