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Episode details

World Service,23 Apr 2024,26 mins

Armenia's lost garden

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For three decades Armenians ruled Karabakh – literally “Black Garden” – an unrecognised statelet inside neighbouring Azerbaijan. Many saw it as the cradle of their civilisation. But as Azerbaijan retook control last autumn, the entire population fled in just a few days. It was a historic catastrophe for Armenia. But the world barely noticed. How is Armenia coping with its loss? Can 100,000 refugees rebuild their lives? And will the cycle of hatred that caused the conflict ever be broken? Grigor Atanesian reports. Produced by Tim Whewell Studio mix: James Beard Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman Series Editor: Penny Murphy (Image: 19-year-old Alen Vardanyan (grave in foreground) was one of about 10,000 Armenians killed in battles over Nagorno-Karabakh in the last 35 years. Credit: Tim Whewell/BBC)

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