linguistic:translation
Armenia

In Armenia, the harp has been used since the fourth century BC. Common usages included weddings and funerals. The "Antler Cup with a Feast Scene", found inside a vessel in Nor Aresh and now preserved in the Erebuni Fortress, depicts a harp. Information about early medieval Armenian musical instruments has been found in Armenian translations of the Bible. In the past, the harp was played in the royal residences, in the royal recreation rooms. Sometimes not only the royal musicians, but the kings themselves played the instrument. Of course, in the past, harps did not have the sound capabilities that they have today, but the fact that the Armenian people had the harp is a fact.

Armenians have had the instrument of harp since old times. This proves that Armeniansloved the harp and used it in their everyday life, at weddings and burials.According to YSC professor, scholar of Middle Ages, doctor of Arts N. Tahmizyan manypagan musical instruments have kept their initial form and among them is the harpwhich was played not only at ceremonies. The instrument was performed by soloperformers as well as with the accompaniment of other instruments.The Armenian translation of the Bible gives a lot of information about early medievalArmenian musical instruments. The translators of the Bible use the name harp amongother quite popular musical instruments. In Armenian a verb has been formed from the name of the instrument: տաւղել whichmeans to play the harp. The word has two meanings the second of which is stringed musicalinstrument which has the form of a triangular frame and this corresponds to thedescription of the musical instrument in Genesis 4:21 where it is stated. «Եւ նորա եղբօրանունը Յոբալ էր, որ բոլոր տավղահարների եւ սրնգահարների հայրն եղաւ»։

Other usages of the word can be found in one of the songs of 10th century Armenian medieval writer, founder of the Renaissance of the Armenian literature, cosmic monk Grigor Narekatsi. The song is called Song of Vardavar:

Քրքում վակասիր պտուղն սնանէր խուռն տերևով. Տերևն տաւիղ տուողին զոր երգէր Դաւիթ հրաշալին: (Տաղ Վարդավառի)

A proof of the instrument’s Armenian origin is the Horn Glass with the Scene of Feast picture which is kept in Erebuni museum: The glass was found in a big buried container in the district of Nor Aresh next to Erebuni castle in 1968 during construction works. The calf horn glass has peoples’ pictures on it. There are pictured a man and three women on it who obviously are participants of a feast. The third female musician is sitting on a chair with a harp in her hands. This find proves that the instrument in Armenia had its Armenian name in 4th century BC. N. Tahmizyan also writes about this horn glass in his book. This find is a proof that Armenians knew and even enjoyed playing the harp in 4th century BC.

On the famous Armenian Cilician silver glass a man is painted surrounded with his lively wife and animals.

Formerly the harp was played in royal castles. Sometimes not only musicians but also kings played the instrument. Of course, in the past harps did not have the sound range they have today but it is a fact that Armenians had the harp. Pictures of the harp can be found in People and Everyday Life (Yerevan, 1978) scientific work of Astghik Gevorgyan, a researcher at Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Candidate in Arts. In her work pictures of the instrument can be found. In the first picture the man is playing the harp which is on his knees.

In the second picture the harp is played by a man who has a crown on his head from which we may conclude that the musician has a royal origin. This harp is bigger and leans on the floor.Not only did Armenians play the instrument but also they created songs about it. Kh. Avetisyan and V. Harutyunyan wrote a song called My Sweet Harp which was quite popular

This analysis and researches with the historical and archaeological proofs led us to the colnclusion that the instrument of harp existed and was widely used in Armenians’ everyday life including royal families. The instrument’s popularity has grown during the years and the harp has become an instrument that represents the emotional inner world of the Armenians.