Our story begins far away in the area of Caucasus Mountains that is generally perceived to be the dividing line between Asia and Europe. Considered one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse regions on Earth, this land is deemed by ethnographers to be in both continents, serving as proof that it is possible to have the best of all words.
The conjunction of many ethic groups and countries such Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Ukraine, this land is a home to ancient mount Urartu (now Ararat) where according to the book of Genesis, Noah's Ark came to rest over 4300 years ago.
There, overlooking ancient Urartu, between two rivers, lays the village of Hadrout, in the republic of Karabakh, country of Armenia. It is a symbol of the unity of cultures, diversity, and the wisdom of generations.
We chose not to borrow this name because only of its significant magnificence in its corner of the Earth, but also because of the strong obligation to shine a light on its magic and at the same its tragedy. Though excavations show that humans have inhabited this area for tens of thousands of years and the region has a rich history, Hadrout today is suffering. As if the Armenian Genocide of 1915, the first genocide of the 20th century, which took lives of over 1 million of Armenians had not been enough torment on this land, Hadrout again became unsettled more recently from 1988 to 1994 torn by the Artsakh war.
More than 340 people of the total population of 2770 lost their lives during this conflict. Nearly 30% of its area has been destroyed and burnt several times. Today, tired but hopeful, Hadrout is trying to rebuild itself. There are major ecological and infrastructural obstacles including a lack of drinking and irrigation water and poor internal communications and roads. Some villages in that area are lacking telephone and TV networks. However, despite asperity and sorrow, somewhere far away in Caucasus Mountains, Hadrout quietly stays still as a monument to human strength and perseverance, preserving its magnificent history hopeful of a better future.
Though the future is unpredictable, history proves some things certain - Hadrout will always stay a symbol of integrity, cultural diversity, bravery and wisdom. And we are more than proud to be called just that!
