Voskepar

Voskepar (Armenian: Ոսկեպար; alternatively known in the 19th and 20th centuries as Aksibara and Akhsibara; historical name - Voskepar) is a village in the northeastern Tavush Province of Armenia, 163 kilometres (101 mi) north of Yerevan. It neighbors Yuxarı Əskipara village (Verin Voskepar in Armenian), an Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani exclave, as well as the other Azeri exclave of Aşağı Əskipara (Lower Askipara) village.

Voskepar

Ոսկեպար
Voskepar
Voskepar
Coordinates: 41°03′53″N 45°03′27″E
CountryArmenia
Marz (Province)Tavush
Government
Area
 • Total11.5683 km2 (4.4665 sq mi)
Elevation850 m (2,790 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total818
Time zoneUTC+4 ( )
Websitehttp://tavush.gov.am/about-communities/743/

Etymology

Voskepar derives its name from the Voskepar mountain range; from the Armenian Ոսկե (voske, gold) plus պարան (paran: string or chain).

History

Voskepar was founded in the 6th century.[1]

Nagorno-Karabakh War

In the Nagorno-Karabakh War 7 persons were killed in inter-ethnic fighting.[1]

In 1991, the second operation of Operation Ring took place in and around Voskepar. This was a military operation conducted by Soviet Internal Security Forces and OMON units, officially dubbed a "passport checking operation," the stated goal launched by the Soviet Union's internal and defense ministries was to disarm Armenian militia detachments, which were organized in "[illegally] armed formations."[2] The operation involved the use of soldiers who accompanied a complement of military vehicles, artillery and helicopter gunships to be used to root out the self-described Armenian fedayeen. However, contrary to their stated objectives, Soviet troops and the predominantly Azerbaijani soldiers in the Azerbaijan SSR OMON and army forcibly depopulated many Armenians. Some authors have also described the actions of the joint Soviet and Azerbaijani force as ethnic cleansing.[3] According to Svante E. Cornell, Operation ring was carried out with 'harshly systematic Human Rights violations'.[4]

Five Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in a conflict near the de facto border in May 2012.[5]

Geography

The town lies in a valley to the south of the Voskepar Ridge, which reaches heights of 1,538 metres (5,046 ft).[6] The average temperature is 30 °C (86 °F) in summer and −2 °C (28 °F) in winter.[1]

Demographics

The population on January 1, 2012, was de facto 869.[1] On January 1, 2008, the de jure population was 880.[7] The population at the 2001 census was de facto 883, of which 429 male and 454 female; de jure 956 of which 478 male and 478 female.[8]

Economy

The economy revolves around farming and cattle.

Attractions
Holy Mother of God of Voskepar

The ancient Armenian church of the Holy Mother of God of Voskepar dates back to the 7th century.[9]

Education and community facilities

There were 103 school pupils in 2011 and there was a health clinic, a house of culture, and community center.[1] In addition to the St. Astvatsatsin Church (disused), there is St. Sarkin Church (2000).

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See also
  • Yuxarı Əskipara (Upper Askipara, Verin Voskepar in Armenian)
  • Aşağı Əskipara (Lower Askipara)

References
  1. "Voskepar", Tavush Province website (in Armenian)
  2. De Waal, Thomas. Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War. New York: New York University Press, 2003, p. 114. ISBN 0-8147-1945-7.
  3. Melander, Erik in "State Manipulation or Nationalist Ambition" in The Role of the State in West Asia. Ed. Annika Rabo and Bo Utas. New York: I.B. Tauris, 2006, p. 173. ISBN 91-86884-13-1.
  4. E. Cornell, Svante (2001). Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus. p. 77.
  5. (Russian) "Пятеро азербайджанских военных погибли в бою на границе с Арменией", Lenta.ru, June 5, 2012
  6. Анохин (Anohin), Г.И. (G.I.) (1981). Малый Кавказ (Maly Kavkaz) (in Russian). Физкультура и спорт (Fizkul'tura i Sport).
  7. Armenian census summary for Tavush Marz
  8. Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, Statistical Committee of Armenia
  9. Soviet Armenia, Arsham Arshami Aslanyan, Progress Publishers, 1971 - 255 pages, p.79
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