Despite continued government efforts to promote internal tourism, Armenian holidaymakers still seem to prefer better ‘value-for-money’ foreign destinations this holiday season.

Traditionally popular seaside resorts in Turkey and Georgia remain a more preferred option for many who find the sights and resorts in Armenia less affordable.

Four Armenian babies who might have been blind in a matter of weeks, now have chance at a normal life due to the humanity of some foreign doctors, the dedication of local ones, and to benefactors who may never know the life-changing impact of their benevolence.

The infants’ good fortune has come by chance or by providence, but surely is the result of good timing and good intentions.

Last week, the Armenian Eye Care Project made one of its semi-annual missions to Armenia, following a schedule established since the project was founded by California ophthalmologist Roger Ohanesian in 1992.

The rare sense of space and calm that marks out the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City is both its blessing and its curse. The acquisition of the land, and construction of the beautiful St. James Cathedral at its heart, speaks volumes for the abilities of this small ethnic diaspora from the Caucasus to secure favour from the Ottoman sultans who partitioned the walled holy city in the hope of a bit of peace from religious rivalries.

Ara Harutiunyan defies the common public perception of the brusque, often rude and uncaring Armenian police officer.

When he goes to the Shogh (“ray of light”) Art Studio he is a short distance but a world away from the central Yerevan police precinct where he interviews crime victims, as a special investigator.

Twenty-year-old Lusine Hunanyan carefully puts on her wedding dress, trying to not spoil the festive hairdressing that has been elaborately crafted. Lusine’s friends help, and the wedding white dress finally the excited bride.

“We must prove to society that we also can become as good brides, wives and mothers as other girls brought up in common families,” the bride says.

Nvard Manukyan, 46, masterly cuts a whole chicken in preparation for chakhobili.

Traditionally Georigian, chakhobili – combining mostly chicken and onion -- is one of the most popular dishes on Armenian tables.

“The whole secret,” Nvard says, “is in the onion.”

Mountains appear as if cut with swords in Syunik province, Armenia. They soar proudly, standing back-to-back.

The only highway of international importance runs through the bends of these mountains on its way to Iran. After such a recurrent bend, Lernadzor village, embraced by mountains and forests, appears. Houses hang from slopes.

Bulgur grains are being soaked in a bowl. The wooden ladle stirs the bulgur helping the water absorb. The bulgur becomes wet, and little water is left on the bottom of the bowl.

“It is necessary to mix the bulgur properly, so that it absorbs water well. Of course, it is much better to mix the bulgur with hands to feel the wetness properly,” says Hasmik Mkrtchyan, 36.

There is perfect military tidiness in 36-year-old Hasmik Mkrtchyan’s kitchen – a place for everything, and everything in its place.

Rice, bulgur, matsuni (Armenian natural yogurt) and kufta are in separate transparent bowls. She starts working.

When the bravest of Armenia’s sons were on standby before launching an offensive that would mark a turning point in the Karabakh war 18 years ago today, many perhaps had the glory of their World War II veteran grandfathers on their minds.

In the early hours of May 8, 1992, 47 years after Armenians danced Kochari in Berlin at the end of World War Two in Europe, elite Armenian soldiers began to storm Shushi, an Azeri-held strategic town some ten kilometers south of the Karabakh capital. A day later, the Azeri stronghold that had turned the lives of civilians in lower-lying Stepanakert and nearby villages into hell, fell, opening up opportunities for further Armenian victories in the Karabakh war.